Hey people...I could use a little help. I'm new to the engine building area and would like some input and suggestions. I'm going to be getting a 460 this weekend to build up and swap into my 4x4. I want to shoot for about 400-450 hp with about 500-550 lbs. tq. I'm not going to be in a hurry to build it up as I'm going to work on it as money allows and time allows. How would you guys approach this? What kinds of intakes, carbs, cams etc would you use. I'm going to have the block honed out and cleaned and I'm also going to have the heads reworked. I was looking at a a Tunnel Ram combo from Summit. Would something like that be too much for a 4x4 application? I'm not really worried too much about gas mileage. Any good brand names I should be aware of? Anything I should look out for as far as problems go? I really appreciate any help and information you guys have.

Robert

1978 F-150 4x4 Stepside 351M

Please don't pull out in front of me! The last thing I want to do is play identify the pieces with you or your car.

 

Hey Robert, it depends on what you want to do with the truck, mostly street preformance? Just a few snow, ice, bad weather excursions? Do you go off-road, if so, trail riding or boggin'? Hauling anything of weight often? You can easily get those #'s out of the BBF, however if you do use it off-road trail riding/exploring, with any future mods, tires/lifts ect., you may want to think just a little milder (slightly lower HP, High TQ.@ a lower rpm), if just for the street (higher HP, slightly lower TQ.@ a higher rpm), then you may to go a little wilder than what your thinking right now seeing how you have a "clean slate" to work with! Most important is what YOU want/need the truck to do! I know this hasn't helped much for now, but give it some thought, since this will be an on-going project you have the luxury of time, post what your lookin' for and we will take it from there.

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 29-Sep-01 AT 02:00 AM (EST)[/font][p]Well...honeslty....I like to do most of the things you were just talking about. Only difference is we don't get much, if any, snow here. I do trail ride a lot and do a bit of bogging and climbing with it. I haul some moderate loads once in a blue moon and I like to play with it on the street too. Just to give some others a run for their money I figured the 400 hp 500tq range would be kind of in the middle I guess as far as it being able to handle all the different things I like do with it. I'm one of those who does a little bit of it all. I'm kind of leaning towards the higher torque for the off road capablilities and all. The hp for the street traffic. I do plan on installing a lift and 36" tires on her in the future also. Now if it's possible to get about 300-350 hp and about 450-500 lbs. tq I'd go for that.

Robert

1978 F-150 4x4 Stepside 351M

Please don't pull out in front of me! The last thing I want to do is play identify the pieces with you or your car.

 

Check yout hood clearance before investing in a tunnel ram. They sit way up there. Two four barrels on a tunnel ram are generally used for engines that perform in the 3500-7500rpm range.

As Chuck P suggested, do a lot of research and planning before you nail your specs down.