We finally decided to upgrade the small-block in Project g/28. We’ve been motoring around in a budget 350-ci Vortec which makes a tad under 450 hp, but the rest of the car’s handling, braking, and chassis has surpassed the engine. When Dart came out with their Sportsman High Performance short-block crate engines, we saw it as the perfect opportunity to solve the shortfall in power.
The Dart SHP block is a simplified version of their existing race block, but with less machine work to lower the cost. It’s beefy, and it’s designed for folks like us who want big power for the street on a thrifty nickel. Dart has combined their SHP block with a choice of either cast or forged crank, forged rods, and either cast hypereutectic pistons or forged pistons. Our 400 short-block has the forged internals, and assembled, costs around $4,200.
Dart also sells top-end packages, consisting of assembled heads, intake, fasteners, gaskets, and valve covers. (As seen here, the top-end kit costs about $1,850.) You’re responsible for the rest of the tin, the oil pump, and the valvetrain. We plan on building ours with a mild street roller, and ordered the 200cc Pro 1 heads with big 1.550 OD springs for the roller cam. Although we also ordered a single-plane intake, for some reason, our top-end kit came with this dual-plane, which we may try to use instead. Will that combo make sense for a solid-roller cam? We don’t know just yet, which is why we haven’t ordered our cam and valvetrain yet.
We’d like to crack 600 hp on pump gas with a Holley 750HP double-pumper carb. We’d also like to keep the parts tab under $8,000. After we investigate the intake and cam, we’ll let you know when we make a final decision.
Also, I plan on having tech editor, Liz Miles, build this baby. As you can tell from the photo, she’s exited to get her hands dirty on this one. She put together the solid-roller 350 in her ’68 Camaro, and since the SHP won’t require assembly of the bottom end, it should be a snap for her. We’re also getting some assistance from Outlaw Racing Engines in Upland, CA; proprietor Andy Mitchell had generously allowed us to use his shop and tools.
Source:
Dart Machinery
www.dartheads.com