Plans for a 478 build.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Good luck with this one TJ! It sounds like it's going to cost a fortune but man if you got the money I got the interest! I can't help any but I'm subscribed to see how it turns out

[TJ's GMC]

Don't have the money yet. haha! Don't even have a motor yet. Just planning for the near future.

[Charon]

$40,000... Monster custom Ford's. With shelby block side oilers cost 35,000 . just did one 800hp. Big custom chevy w motors. $45,000. A monster chevy big block. Off the shelf. $18,000.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Originally Posted by TJ's GMC

Don't have the money yet. haha! Don't even have a motor yet. Just planning for the near future.

haha, nothin wrong with dreamin!

Originally Posted by Charon

$40,000... Monster custom Ford's. With shelby block side oilers cost 35,000 . just did one 800hp. Big custom chevy w motors. $45,000. A monster chevy big block. Off the shelf. $18,000.

Yeah, I knew it'd be expensive. I was guessing around $20k with all the custom parts, but I didn't figure $40. I've seen guys order custom pistons at $1000 each for a small 6 or 8 run so that's $6000 right there alone in piston cost. Yeowch! If I didn't have a wife and kids, and want to retire some day (hopefully!) without eating dog food for breakfast I'd love to blow 40k on Cecilia. Man, that'd be sweet!

I think we all have an addiction problem here!

[turbobill]

Originally Posted by TJ's GMC

Don't have the money yet. haha! Don't even have a motor yet. Just planning for the near future.

A 478 is more diesel like in it's construction (heavy parts/limited breathing). As such, I'd approach a build with only one idea..................boost! That will allow you to keep the engine speed within stock limits and take the high cost of making it live at higher RPMS out of the equation.

Perfect your fabrication skills and learn all you can about turbocharging. Over the years, I've built a few turbocharged engines and fabricated the setups. You'd be surprised on how much power you can make on the "cheap", relatively speaking of course.

I can easily see a 478 making 800 lbs ft of torque at 1400 to 1800 RPM's and about 400 to 425 HP at 3200 to 3400 RPMS with no more than 15 pounds of boost on a simple draw through carbureted fuel system with breaker points in the distributor and simple water/alcohol injection............with a single turbo.

With an good engine, this could be done for less than a couple grand.

[beerman]

I don't think there is a compromise either go lower RPM and boosted or higher RPM and Naturally Aspirated.

[Charon]

I think the hard part with big boost on a 478 would be finding one in any condition to use. As to high rpm. I am cleaning out the core motors at the shop. There are six v6 engines. Ones a 478. A couple of 401 and the rest are 351 engines. All have broken rods and one of the 401 has a busted crank. All of them came apart in the mid 4000 rpm range. I have an old Buick pull through turbo on a 305. Its set at 8lbs.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Originally Posted by turbobill

I can easily see a 478 making 800 lbs ft of torque at 1400 to 1800 RPM's and about 400 to 425 HP at 3200 to 3400 RPMS with no more than 15 pounds of boost on a simple draw through carbureted fuel system with breaker points in the distributor and simple water/alcohol injection............with a single turbo.

With an good engine, this could be done for less than a couple grand.

There you go TJ! A single turbo and a good 478 and you're in bid'ness! Time to start shopping

[TJ's GMC]

Originally Posted by turbobill

A 478 is more diesel like in it's construction (heavy parts/limited breathing). As such, I'd approach a build with only one idea..................boost! That will allow you to keep the engine speed within stock limits and take the high cost of making it live at higher RPMS out of the equation.

Perfect your fabrication skills and learn all you can about turbocharging. Over the years, I've built a few turbocharged engines and fabricated the setups. You'd be surprised on how much power you can make on the "cheap", relatively speaking of course.

I can easily see a 478 making 800 lbs ft of torque at 1400 to 1800 RPM's and about 400 to 425 HP at 3200 to 3400 RPMS with no more than 15 pounds of boost on a simple draw through carbureted fuel system with breaker points in the distributor and simple water/alcohol injection............with a single turbo.

With an good engine, this could be done for less than a couple grand.

Boost is in the plan for sure. But if I boost it I'll probably leave the internals stock as that engine has plenty of pull as it Is....then add 8 pounds of boost....sheesh! Sucker would pull a mountain.
If I stay naturally aspirated I'll lighten the rotating assembly and see about making it a 5500 rpm engine like has been done before. Course at that point I'd be putting a big 4 barrel on it, make a set of headers, and maybe try an hei with the msd box. Also would need to have a custom cam made. And many other things. lol
Be fun to make a twin 4 barrel high rise intake for it. haha

[TJ's GMC]

Originally Posted by FetchMeAPepsi

There you go TJ! A single turbo and a good 478 and you're in bid'ness! Time to start shopping

Getting good so far! Only thing is finding one near by! haha Closest one I found was in Washington and they want like $1700 for a 50 year old engine.