IMO The Best Bang For The Buck

[Dover78]

In my personal opinion, if you are looking for a cheap high performance build, go with a Cadillac 500. Stock from the factory 400hp and 550 ft-lbs. It only weighs something like 40lbs more than a small-block Chevy and you can usually pick one up at a junkyard for $200-$500. The biggest downfall is the fact that these engines were never coupled with a manual trans, so machine work is required to make it work. I'm buying one pretty soon for $350 for use in my '75 Silverado.

[RiversideParish]

There's not much of an aftermarket for em, though... that's the problem.

[Dover78]

Theres a decent aftermarket. Plenty of dual quad and FI setups, Q-jets, 540 stroker kits, rebuild kits and such. I've even seen people NOS Cad 500s, though I'd never do that. Plus I really don't feel like buying a ZZ 502 for six grand.

[cad500]

the cad 500,472 and even 425's from 77 thru 79 make excellent power.a good running engine will tear up a stock drive axle in most swaps.torque rules on the street and these big cads were the torque kings.they were 2nd to know one.

[cad500]

want one no problem at all.check out caddycarlo.com