Im building my own 69 and am spending alot of time considering which engine to pick. My two goals are 500 hp and a muscle car sound/idle. I was thinking zz502 or zz383-500 (www.salle-chevrolet.com). I realize the 502 would decrease handling and thats ok. Is a 500hp stroker unreliable? Any other engines anyone thinks will work? Any comments or suggestions are appreciated. thanks

 

what would the difference in fuel economy be? The zz502 seems perfect but ive read about probs with loose rings or something, i dont know.

 

Welcome,post some picks of your build. As for the motor, If you have the $$$$ go with the big blocks. With aluminum heads they only weigh around 50 pounds more then a small block. With a fiberglass hood and springs youll be the same as the tiny little small blocks. And what about the 454 HO, great motor. As far as gas,Yeah Right, HP = bad MPG

 

The big block would make it much easier to achieve your goals. It's not that much heavier either. As for the gas mileage, it'll be bad for both of them. No engine with 500HP is going to get good gas mileage.

 

its not bought yet im in the planning phase. i realize neither will be good gas mileage but the difference between 6 mpg and 12mpg is huge. MPG is not a big concern but if there is a significant difference i wanna know. Are 500hp strokers reliable? If im not mistaken the zz502 weighs 200 lbs more thena 383 which is a big difference from 50. i think an all aluminum zl-1 is 50 pounds heavier but I dont know for sure. if your right then ill be getting a big block and put the battery in the trunk. please let me know

 

On both they will be about 6 to 10 MPG. The big block Motor weigh's about 150lbs more with Iron heads and iron intake, with the aluminum heads and intake they only weigh 50 lbs more. The 502 is the same block as the 454,as well as the 572. Don't know much about the 383 but if you really want to turn heads get the 454 H.O. with 425 hp / 500 lbs and put on the Edelbrock RPM air gap and some Red GM performance parts 572 valve covers. And tell the guys you got a 572. Saves enough money for fiberglass hood. Lighten the car some and you'll feel every pony she has.Those cars were made for the big blocks so she'll take what ever you pop in. When you have a small block all people see is a 350,when it's a rat they see a hungry Rat,no matter what the size they know you aren't playing around.

 

I like sleeper cars. Mine's gonna look stock except for the exhaust but will have about 400HP. If you get a small block with aluminum heads and intake it will definately weigh lss than a big block. Significantly enough to consider. Maybe look at a ZZ4 350 from chevy. 355HP, 405lb/ft. With a nice set of headers, full exhaust, carb spacer, she'll be making plenty of power. Use spray if you want more. If you go for about 400HP, it'd get significantly better mileage, and use spray when you need the extra few ponies. If you only need 500 for the strip, than run with uncapped headers and spray. Anything over bout 450HP isn't as practical on the street. Over 400HP and you'll have trouble finding tires that can even use that kind of power. You gonna use big tires on the street? And is it primarily going to be a car for the strip? How much street driving are you going to be doing with this car?

 

this will be a 75/25 car (street/strip). a zz4 with nos might not be a bad idea plus salle-chevrolet has some good upgrades for the zz4. its a thought. fuel economy on a zz4 with some upgrades such as hot cam and roller rocker arms? that will be about 430 hp. is mpg relative to hp or cubic inches? will this engine have that ridiculous muscle car idle that i must have?

 

any clue on what kind of nos shot each could handle reliably? zz4? zz383? modzz350? modzz383? zz454? zz502?

 

maybe i should change my horsepower goal to a 1/4 mile time goal. I want to be in the 11's in the quarter mile, low preferably. Any recommended engine/tranny/rear end combos?