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Lee Willis -> RE: NOOB (12/5/2005 3:02:00 PM)
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A 72 is a really fine year for vettes.
There are a lot of choices for the engine, and they greatly depend on how much money you have. A good clean 72 vette will cost about $20-$25K (unless it is in really good condition and/or a special model in which case it could be over $150K).
The first decision you must make is whether you are going to go with something similar to the engine originally in the car (i.e., carburated, iron block) or install a much newer, fuel injected engine such as an LS-1, 2, or 6 engine (used in 97-2006 vettes).
If you decide to install a modern LS-1, 2, or 6 fuel-injected engine, you can stroke it to 383 (LS1 or 6) or 396 cubic inches (LS2), and you will have your 430 ft lbs 450 HP or more (flywheel) easily, and maybe that much at the rear wheels. You can supercharge it for a lot more. However, this will be a very expensive undertaking: you will need to change out most everything associated with the engine: motor mounts, modify the frame, new radiator (custom or close to that cost), special headers and exhaust, and install a modern trans with custom or nearly custom linkage, etc. You'll need to either switch out for modern or modify power steering, AC, alternator, etc.
Furthermore, realize that even in its most powerful original version, the '72 did not have 450 RWHP (some versions came close). A standard model will need extensive refurbishment and strengtheing of the rear end and suspension to handle the power (I helped a friend with a 400 RWHP 71 vette and it required a lot of $$$ and time to get this right. Also, I'd replace the brakes with more modern ones if I was going to have that much power.
My point is that going the "new engine route" CAN be done but it will cost you a lot to do it well.
By contrast, using a carburated engine will be lower cost and more in keeping with the original car's character. It will cost you MUCH less because (the right type) will fit in the car with almost everything under the hood unmodified and there will not be much more to modify. Headers, etc, and the original type of trans will fit.
However I expect you would have A LOT of trouble getting 430 foot pounds and 450 HP out of a carburated small block, even stroked to 383 cubic inches. Getting 450 HP (even at the flywheel) from a carburated 383 stroker is do-able, but you will have an engine that is pretty ragged to drive on the street. But realize that even 350 or 375 HP in this car is great performance.
My personal option (I've thought about this a lot because this is a project I want to do someday) is the find a reasonably clean small block 71 or 72 4-speed car, and then drop in a small block 427 cubic inch "super stroker" crate engine. This the the very maximum you can push the old, cast-iron small block Chevy to with maximum boring and stroking., and one or two companies offer complete crate engines in this size. A 427 carburated crate engine would run about $8K I'd guess by the time in was in the car and but with the extra 44 cubes over the 383 stroker it could produce 400-450 HP with a carb and decent driveability on the street. Since it is an iron block 350-derivative it ought to fit without too much hassle.
It all depends on how much money you have or want to spend, but the 427 crate route has always struck me as the optimum overall approach to take. Someday I hope to do it: I just have to convince my wife that we need another car (this could take a long time)
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