451 Build For the 67 JC B'Cuda

EchoSixMike said
Generally looks good, the heads are excellent, should make the goal, obviously contingent on cam.

I'd also budget more for machine work, get a good oil pump and use aluminum vice steel main caps, which would allow skipping the girdle and associated machine and assembly work, which isn't all that great, but it's probably $400-500, depending on charges to fly-mill the pan rails. I admire the belt and suspenders approach, but I think it's not required in this case. Obviously, depending on your planned use. S/F....Ken M

I'm not sure if there is a typo in there or if my Ugoogalizer is malfunctioning, but I have no idea what you're talking about. Can you please elaborate?

383Scampman said
Purchase Andy F.'s book . It's the best I've seen on the subject . IMO a 451 low deck is the best combo out there . Low decks fit in A-bodies better than RB motors .

I did that last night, thank you. I should have it by Monday.

AndyF said
Good approach for a beginner, so congrats on that. Making a list and keeping track of things is the way to learn. Personally I'd scratch a few things from the list. You do not need a girdle and you shouldn't need the steel caps. I'd skip the head studs also. I would not buy the FiTech, take the money I just saved you from the girdle and caps and use it to step up to a good Holley system such as the Super Sniper or a Terminator kit. You'll thank me later. I'd also build a 470 rather than a 451 as long as the compression ratio is ok.

Buy my book and read it a few times then take the drive to Indio and talk to Brian at IMM. He can build you a very nice 451 using the 240 heads. It will easily make 550 to 600 hp with a Performer RPM intake (or Trick Flow intake) and the Super Sniper kit. You'll have a ton of power and if you get the EFI tuned correctly you'll be able to drive it anywhere with good fuel economy.

I appreciate your input, thank you. What is your reasoning for going the 470 route over the 451? I originally thought i was going to go 500, but i read enough hoopla about rod ratios, special piston rings and funny noises to scare me away from that route. My thinking was, if I'm going for mild manners I should start with the most displacement possible.

AndyF said
I should also point out that a lot of stuff on your list can be purchased used at swap meets or on line. I have a Performer RPM that is for sale as well as water pump and water pump housing. Shoot me a PM with a list of what you need and I can probably sell you a bunch of stuff at 50% savings from list price. I have a ton of stuff sitting at a swap meet today as a matter of fact..........

I will definitely entertain the idea of purchasing some stuff used.

AndyF said
For the OP - have you read the various TF 240 articles that I've written? You can find them all on my website: Tech Articles | AR Engineering

I will dig into these, thank you for the link.