Engine question

tylerrogers94 said
I can replace parts pretty easy, I've done most the work on my duster, I even took auto in high school, but the thing I know I would have trouble with is all the ratios and all that stuff I would have to do

There are plenty here who can help you with any math. You can do something pretty nice with that budget.....my son and I spent about that much for a 340 at near 400 HP with new Edelbrock Performer heads, new SCAT rods and KB pistons, new intake, hydraulic flat tappet cam and so forth; pretty much a complete new parts build. And a 360 would save a few bucks over the 340. You might PM Dartvader; I think he did his own engine for the first time and he is easy to write to. (And maybe Straightlinespeed and maybe BadSport too).

Be ready to invest some time into it, and invest some time to learn. I would not advise anyone impatient and inattentive to do this. And be ready to get a variety of advice, and don't get stars in your eyes and think some word is magic; displacement is displacement! Stick with a basic build plan IMO and keep the process as simple as you can for good results and do as much bolt-together as you can. IMO if you get into much fancy machine work and the fancier you get, the more frustrating it can become. Finding a good machine shop is a big step in the right direction.

What do want this car/engine to do? Do you have any engine now? And keep thinking over your options.... many here build their own so may not see things as you will as a 1st time engine builder.