Based on my experiences driving a 59 chevy pickup down the dragstrip 500 times or so....you need stall, and a fresh engine. I'd go with a big block, but since you're already on the small block path, that'll have to do. The big block would let you do the job with stock heads and intake and carb (saves the reader money, but doesn't help the advertisers much). A switch pitch TH400 would let you get stall to launch, while being sedate in normal driving, and probably allow running a mild gear for the freeway jaunts. Building a reasonably strong bottom end, with forged pistons but possibly a cast crank and small rods, will allow some nitrous abuse but also force you to keep the rpm down--rpm is what usually blows up engines, and is what keeps so many hot rods from being more streetable. As long as you keep the nitrous to a small shot, you should be ok, but watching my buddies with their nitroused cars, it appears the temptation is more than most people can stand, and the result is an engine that scorches a piston way before it's time.

ps. I wondered why there was a pic of a 64-72 pickup rearend being worked in the mag on page 153...I guess this explains it.

The small block build is probably applicable to what more readers are doing, so I can understand your wanting to go that way. Although it would be neat to see an honest low buck big block buildup, it's amazing what you can do with a 454 without spending gobs of money.

Even the boat anchor 396 in my heavy longbed 59 truck delivers corrected high 13s with a Qjet on an iron intake with no nitrous, stock rebuilt ST300 converter, and 3.54 gears in the posi Dana 60 from a mid 60s GMC heavy half ton.

vison of a brutal street sleeper

More of a street lead sled. Do both, a SBC and then to a similar BBC and see what happens. Then go with a 496 BBC with oval port heads, or even smog heads. If you have been to Irwindale, talk to Randy Ingram - he has a 4x4 he bracket races. All the tech guys know him, he is easy to find. He did a SBC on squeeze to a best of @ 11.80 at Fontana. He lost a cast piston at the Hangover Nationals, and now has a 468 10:1 motor, and on the motor he has gone 11.76.

I built a pretty decent 91 Camaro with a Vortech and a 383 a couple of years ago at Car Craft. It made 525 hp and something like 700 lb-ft of torque at the wheel. So you have a good point. Never messed with an ATI but Ihave seen some late model guys using them to go very fast in 93 and later Camaros.

Here is the story:

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/77458/

Me being the magazine wh#re that I am, I remember that article! Nevermind the late model guys either, You can do a blowthrough system as easy as you can tighten bolts! You said you plan to at least freshen the engine, add the right fuel system and some other BASIC stuff and you could have a hero truck on your hands! If that thing is two wheel drive, you alresdy have a "NASCAR" rear suspension! LOL. You know what I mean.....Sprayed, blown or turbo'd......its only gonna get cooler!

Watch out Lightnings!!!!!!!

Does "dotcommer" mean unlimited bucks or totally broke???  There's both kinds nowdays you know.

Going with the big-buck senario, (It's more fun!), here's my dream:

(1) Peddle the existing engine at the nearest swap meet and use the proceeds for a nice dinner out on the town.  

(2) Buy a new Cummins M-11/ISM (680 cid) in line 6, turbo diesel and an Allison electronic automatic overdrive to go with it.

(3) Dry sump the Cummins to get the engine lower in the chassis and keep the stock hood. Mount the dry sump tank in the bed.

(4) Tunnel the firewall back into the cab to accomodate the longer engine. (Rear of head would be about even with face of dashboard.)

(5) Do the complete Gale Banks treatment to the engine. Should make about 800 HP and 1200 ft. lbs.

(6) Put a killer Dana-60 in it about 3.00:1 ratio.

(7) Go out and show those cotton-picken Dodges and Powerstroke Fords what a REAL diesel can do.

(8) Pull a 32-foot 5th wheel trailer to the drag meet and throw a barbecue for all your friends after getting the trophy.

Hot53Pickup