Small-Block Chevy: Wild
Car: '68 Chevy Camaro
Owner: Tod Wollschlager
Tod Wollschlager's first-generation Camaro features the most interesting intake of this group. His 355ci Mouse sports an Edelbrock cross-ram manifold with two 450-cfm Holley carbs perched on top. Even though the compression was higher than we recommend for pump-gas use at 11.0:1, Tod reports that it does just fine on pump premium--probably due to the long-duration camshaft. Even with the stock camel-hump heads, Tod's small-block cranked out a respectable 284 hp and 324 lb-ft of torque. Would his small-block make more power with a modern four-barrel intake? Perhaps, but you can't beat the nostalgia and the visual impact of the cross-ram.
Engine
Type: Chevy small-block V-8
Displacement: 355 ci
Compression: 11.0:1
Best e.t.: 13.15
Cylinder Heads
Make and model: Chevy production
Port work: None
Valve sizes: 1.94/1.50 inches
Rocker arms: 1.5:1 roller
Camshaft
Make: Melling
Type: Solid flat-tappet
Duration at 0.050: 240/250 degrees
Valve lift: 0.521/0.521 inch
Induction, Ignition, and Exhaust
Intake: Edelbrock cross-ram
Carburetor: Twin Holley 450 cfm
Ignition: MSD distributor and 6AL
Exhaust: 1 5/8 inches, 2 ¼-inch dual exhaust
Performance
Owner's guess: 360 hp
Dyno result: 284 hp, 324 lb-ft
Small-Block Mopar: Mild
Car: '69 Dodge Dart
Owner: Brent Mantz
Mopar Performance crate short-blocks are a bargain. Just add a good top end and let it rip. Brent Mantz of Medina, Ohio, recognized the practicality of purchasing a completed short-block over commissioning a machine shop to build one, and simply added a set of production cast-iron 360 heads bolstered with 2.02-inch intake valves, a Performer RPM intake, and a 750 Holley for nearly 300 horses at the wheels. Able to run in the low-13s at 106 mph, Brent's Dart will run even faster with traction. It was that simple.
Engine
Type: Chrysler small-block V-8
Displacement: 360 ci
Compression ratio: 9.5:1 (approx.)
Best e.t.: 13.20 @ 106
Cylinder Heads
Make and model: Production iron
Port work: Gasket match
Valve sizes: 2.02/1.60 inches
Rocker arms: 1.5:1 stamped steel
Camshaft
Make: Mopar Performance
Type: Hydraulic flat-tappet
Duration at 0.050: 248 degrees
Valve lift: 0.508 inch
Induction, Ignition, and Exhaust
Intake: Edelbrock Performer RPM
Carburetor: Holley 750 cfm
Ignition: Mallory Unilite distributor and MSD 6AL
Exhaust: 1 5/8- to 1 ¾-inch step headers, 3-inch dual exhaust
Performance
Owner's guess: 250 hp
Dyno result: 299 hp, 289 lb-ft
Chevy Small-Block: Wild
Car: '70 Camaro
Owner: Ryan Underthun
Ryan Underthun came very close to predicting the results of this dyno test, and he undoubtedly would have hit his mark under more ideal weather conditions. Ryan ran his 355-inch small-block on the motor and on nitrous oxide, gaining more than 100 hp with the button depressed. Despite the small-block's radical nature, pump premium is the fuel of choice when Ryan is not using the juice, as it sports a very moderate 9.5:1 compression ratio. A radical solid-roller cam, Victor Jr. heads, a Brodix single-plane intake, and a Holley Dominator carb are not pieces one would normally associate with streetability, but the low compression tames the combination considerably. Built to run on laughing gas, Ryan's Camaro is still capable of running 10.80s on the engine's own power.
Engine
Type: Chevy small-block V-8
Displacement: 355 ci
Compression: 9.5:1
Best e.t.: 10.80 (on motor)
Cylinder Heads
Make and model: Edelbrock Victor Jr., aluminum
Port work: None
Valve sizes: 2.05/1.60
Rocker arms: 1.5:1 roller
Camshaft
Make: Ultradyne
Type: Solid roller
Duration at 0.050: 279 degrees
Valve lift: 0.630 inch
Induction, Ignition, and Exhaust
Intake: Brodix Dominator single-plane
Carburetor: Holley 1,050-cfm Dominator
Ignition: Mallory distributor and MSD 6AL
Exhaust: 1 7/8-inch headers, 3.5-inch dual exhaust
Performance
Owner's guess: 410 hp on motor, 550 hp with nitrous oxide
Dyno result: 379 hp, 386 lb-ft on motor; 502 hp, 485 lb-ft on nitrous