Truggy Motor 454, 460 or ?

[wrightracing.net]

Ok so here is the project. Tube chasis front engine 2wd long travel prerunner / lower budget racing. What would be the best way to get semi-low budget HP and reliablility. I would like to get in the range of 450-550HP. I like either setup but what are to pros and cons of each setup. What do you think?

[Wild bill]

Ford makes a 460 SVO crate motor that puts out 500 hp for about $5500. You would be hard pressed to make that HP And Torque for that amount of $ with a small block.

[Ryno]

You can get a 496 chevy from a late model truck, slap in a cam, and off you go for less than 2k.

[scottm]

There is a reason why chevy engines and trannys are so popular, even in ford trucks! I suggest a 'big' smallbock in the 420-430 inch range with aluminum heads. 500+ hp is unavoidable, and 200 lb less weight than a big block. I guess the real question is, how much is your budget?

[philofab]

If you can find a deal on a 472 or 500 caddy it would be another option. You can make that power with a cam, headers, intake, and carb on a stock motor. It's smaller and lighter than a BBC and you still have the option of a Turbo 400.

Other than that I'd vote for the Chevy... much cheaper to build than a 460.

[FABRICATOR]

One con to a BBC is spending more building and maintaining the front end of the truck. Aluminum heads help, but even all aluminum BBC's are kinda beastly.

[FarrisMotorsports]

Id grab that LS2 in the classifieds right now

[Dezertpilot]

Alot of good info so far. I like the idea of say a BBC 454, You can build the front end to handle the extra weight like bigger parts, etc. But if you can spare like mentioned aluminum heads should shave Id say 65#s, now you have a good flowing set of heads and can put in a cam, headers, nice intake manifold, carb, and a few other odds and ends. 500 HP/TQ should be super easy to get. One more thing to add is a BB is much easier on the drivetrain than a high revving small block turning 7k RPMs.

[SimonSays]

I like to keep it light.. i would do a 5.0 or a ls1