Hi !

New guy on the forum !
I'm wondering, is it possible to stroke ( that's what it's called, right, to increase hp ?) a 396 engine to get 450hp ?
And still remain a stock look ?

Thanks !

E-

 

You can get that much without stroking it,heck '65 396 Corvettes were rated 425hp and they were underrated if anything.

 

How can you do this ? Because I really don't have a clue

Thanks !

E-

 

A lot depends on what 396 you are starting with,they are not all created equal.
Assuming it's a plain jane 325 hp engine you'd start with a high performance lower end consisting of preferably a forged steel crank and rods and forged pistons then you'll want a good performance cam and some high flowing cylinder heads preferably aluminum.
In trying to keep a stock appearance if you can find a stock GM aluminum performance intake that would be a plus you can pop on even bore
Holley carb which came stock on those intakes.
There are a lot of different packages available for these motors and also a lot of factory performance parts still floating around so you have many options.
Boring it out bigger is also a good start,427s' are the same stroke as a 396 just bigger bore.

Here's some reading for you,it should teach you something about Chevy big blocks 396-454.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrol...Mark_IV_Series

http://www.holisticpage.com/camaro/camaros/ss.htm

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42097

 

Remember, regardless of how stock it looks, when you get to over 400 hp it wont sound anything like a stock engine. The cam that Chevy used on the 425 hp 396 was pretty lumpy, and it idled pretty rough. Also the 425 HP 396 engine was a 11:1 compression ratio, so plan on running a mixture of premium gas and 104 octane race fuel. Straight premium today wont do anything but ping and detonate ina engine with that compression ratio.
My 427 had 11:1 compression until I rebuilt it, and I constantly fought either pinging, or buying race fuel to get it to run properly.
Additionally, the 425 HP Chev 396 engine used a different intake than the average big block. It was a low profile to clear the hood, but it was a cast aluminum intake, and it wont be easy to find. If you find one that gives equal performance as an aftermarket, it will probably be 1"-1 1/2" taller, and may cause hood clearance issues. I run a 3" steel cowl hood, and the thinnest air cleaner I found barely clears the hood by about 1/4" with my Edelbrock Torker.

 

And if I start with a 375hp, will it be easier to get 450hp then ?
I also have found this site http://www.chevystreetperformance.co...te_engines.htm
I asked them if they could do what I want, a 396 with 450hp but they haven't replied yet, so I'm still waiting.
But I see that I'll need a lot of things to do this, so maybe it is less expensive than buying a 396 and buying aluminium heads,... etc than just buy a Camaro, sell the engine and buy myself a crate with an engine ?

About the sound, do you have any video or something so I know how it sounds because now I don't know what you mean

Thanks !

Elias

 

If you don't already have an engine to work with then a crate engine may well be your best bet.
If you have a 375 hp 396 you have a good start because you'll have the steel crank 4 bolt main lower end and a set of factory high flow heads that could be reworked to make even more power by a good port job and better valves/springs/rockers etc.
This needs to be done by a pro race engine builder in the know.
As pointed out these were 11.1 compression engines made whne good gas was still available so you'd want to change to 10.1 max for pump gas.
The cams were solid lifter cams and pretty bumpy but there are some good hydraulic cams made these days that will work as well,still going to be a bit bumpy in a 450hp 396 engine though.
All that said if you don't even have an engine and you want that much power with good street manners there's no substitute for a bigger motor.
You can buy much bigger engines that are the same dimensions on the outside as a 396 but bigger inside,GM performance makes 454,502 and even a monster 572 inch big block crate engine that will bolt in.
Now keep in mind you are going to need much more than a motor,once you pass that 400hp mark the rest of the car will need to be built up to match the engine or it will start failing from the clutch/trans to the rear end and even the frame will need reinforcement to keep the body from twisting.
Bottom line here is that big power costs big money so if you aren't rich you better start saving.

 

If I buy a Camaro later on, I'll need to choose if I'm going to buy a Camaro with 396 engine and then upgrade it, or buy a Camaro with a very small engine and than sell it and buy a crate. But you'll probably think : just buy a 427 or 455 but when I dot that, I'll have a 7+ liter engine, which will probably produce more emissions than a 396, which is going to be an important factor in the future, scince we here in Belgium, are going to start paying taxes not on hp but on emissions..
And the fact that there are good engine builders here in B. I don't think that there are any specialists of Mark IV bb... So I am more for the idea of letting someone build a crate for me in the US than the first option of upgrading it.
With that fuel, what is that acctually, compression of engines ? And does it has any effects if I lower it for pump gas ?
Thanks for your awesome help !

Elias

 

So at this point you don't even have a car,is that right?
If that's the case and you are not worried about having an original SS 396 then by all means get a small block car and buy a crate engine.
Original big block Camaros are rare and expensive,besides it would be a shame to tear apart an original numbers matching 396 anyway or even a well done clone just to build more power.
I'd suggest finding a car to build and figure on selling most of the drivetrain then bolt in the heavy duty stuff (trans,rear end etc.) and a big crate motor.

Here's a 500hp motor ready to run,just add headers a transmission and rear end.
(well maybe some subframe connectors and a bigger radiator also )
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-12496962/

the rest of the basics,now go find a car and a pile of money.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATI-701800/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CU...M/?image=large

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CUR-9TL350S/

 

Hmm, sounds like a lot of work ? But can't I just keep a Muncie 4-speed when I get 450 hp because I don't need 500
And yes, it would be foolish to get a matching numbers Camaro and then sell the engine

Thanks !