Last year when we rolled out the newest iteration of Project X—our iconic ’57 Chevy—it had only been five years since its last mechanical transformation. Back in 2003, Project X had served duty as the development mule for GM Performance Parts then-new Ramjet 502 big-block crate motor. Then, as now, the 502 Ramjet put out 502 hp and 565 lb-ft of torque from a port fuel-injected 502 cubic inches. When GMPP took Project X back under its wing in 2007 for its most recent makeover, the 502 was stripped down to its short-block, and mocked up with a carbureted intake. Standing in for GMPP’s 427-inch ZL1 crate motor, the 502 helped GM Performance Division with chassis and firewall mods until the ZL1 was ready for its curtain call.
With its role as Project X power plant finished, we now have an opportunity to build up the 502 short-block with an all-new top end, but we need your help deciding what to do. Here’s the short-block specs: 4.47-inch bore x 4.00-inch stroke, four-bolt main caps, forged steel crank, forged steel shot-peened rods, forged 9.6:1 pistons, and hydraulic roller cam (.527/.544-inch lift, 224/234 duration at .050). We’d like to keep the original rotating assembly and freshen up the rings and bearings. Other priorities are to run 91 octane pump gas (the best we can get in California), modest cost for bolt-on parts, and use a carburetor.
The heads, intake, carb, and camshaft are all open for suggestion. What would you like us to do to the motor, and what would you like us to drop it in?