Typical internet; no good deed goes unpunished. Everyone's a "pro" except for the real pros who build big power with "junk factory" parts. VortecPro's engine HP claims have been tested at the track; they usually run as fast or faster than estimated.
There's a difference between a engine builder and an engine assembler. Mark is an engine builder, he's taking us behind the scenes and showing us step by step absolutely everything it takes to build a 620 HP big block Chevy with mostly stock GM parts. The work you did to the crank was impressive, rods impressive, video series and straight forward explanation equally impressive. I'll bet most of the haters are engine assemblers and have never touched a start button in a machine shop. Keep up the good work Mark.
I WORKED FOR A MARINE ENGINE BUILDING COMPANY ON POWERBOAT ROW IN THE EARLY 90'S. ALL WE BUILT WERE BIG BLOCK CHEVY MOTORS... 502,572,588 AND 634C.I. MOTORS.90 PERCENT OF THEM WERE OEM FOR CIGARETTE RACING TEAM. I DID ALL THE PURCHASING AND PROCUREMENT OF THE PARTS AS WELL AS SOME R&D. I HAVE WATCHED EVRY VIDEO OF YOURS THE DAY YOU RELEASED IT... CLEARLY YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING ! JUST ONE THING... I NEED MORE ENGINE BUILDING !!! I NEED ENGINE BUILDING VIDEOS TO WATCH...WITH NARRATION AND ABSOLUTELY NO MUSIC!!! I HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART FOR THE RAT MOTOR ESPECIALLY WITH ALL OF THE INNOVATIONS IN THE PAST 30 YEARS...ELECTRONIC INJECTION, EXTRUSION HONING,COMPUTERS AND MANY SO MANY OTHER THINGS. SOME OF MY FAVORITE VENDORS WERE JESSEL AND FERREA... JEWELRY FOR ENGINES. JUST KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND DON'T LET THE JERK OFFS DERAIL YOUR EFFORTS
How did you not call these guys idiots! Your vids are all great info and done right. I’m a long time “ Boat Anchor” machinist and racer. The bbc is the best NA platform ever. I love the LS, but you have to force air into them to make big HP.
Well that just proves that there is no shortage of idiots in this world. I certainly have been finding your video series informative and enjoyable. Please keep the videos coming. You are a master at what you do and as a fellow machinist I have great appreciation for the quality and detail of your work. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. I love the Big Block Chevy iron heads and am thrilled to have found you on You Tube.
I build custom engines for a living, been in it since I was was knee high to a chipmunk, If you want to see someone do this right watch these guys, he is showing a lot of special tricks and procedures you will almost never get when paying for an engine so listen up! Take notes! As for the power this will make, i know from experience he will easily hit 620hp, and trust me it will make a ton of torque, tight lsa cam, decent compression with small to moderate port size, yeah that's a recipe for a bad ass street/strip BBC, keep up the good work!
Sounds like alot of bench racing HP "engineers" out there....as a Mopar guy definitely was impressed on how this build turned out. I didn't think a 238 @ .50 cam could do it, I had to go 2 sizes larger to hit 600 with a 450 ci 440.
I'm late to the party But I'm getting sick and tired of people discouraging others from wanting to use older steel heads. It makes me assume that they DID NOT have exposure at a young age to the older stuff. I'm about to pay $1500 on some 990 heads. The main reason is that because as a 16 year old I was blessed enough to ride in a gold class show car that had an LS7 in it(no kids..not an LS) It's about feeling some godd emotion to go along with the highs and lows of tinkering with these old.hot rods. Also, for anyone reading...PLEASE don't toss the steel heads out. Sell them to us ..or better yet...use them yourself. ..you won't regret it Thanks
Just found your channel and I am glad I did. In the process of doing my own 468, almost the same build. Only difference from mine to yours is I'm a lil closer to 11 to 1 and my cam is in the .620 range for lift. I'm really excited not to get it finished and dyno'd now. Thank you for all the tips and info your passing on.
I love all your videos forget those guys that are sending you hate mail most of them I'm sure are not engine builders or can even build a half ass set of heads I've seen what your motors do on a dyno and I'm sure your builds are built to last. So keep doing what you do I sure appreciate your knowledge and videos your friend Rick427
Mark, you and I used to go around a bit at Chevelles.com. But the one thing you'd never get out of me was "you don't know what you are doing ...". I really wonder where these haters get their info ?? It ain't like you have never seen the inside of BBC. Jeez dude, how many have you built in your career - I'll wager more than a few dozen. If anyone has a "boat anchor" BBC block laying around on a pallet, I'm in for shipping out to Cali :D
Seems like some really great information people with hate mail are joke who cares and what these idiots say. The information was incredible and it really showed all the detail that is overlooked by the backyard mechanic. Building HP takes money and time/patience.
You've been a great help watching these, we assembled a 427 for a Vw. I am now working on a 454 possibly stroking it to 500 ( as close as possible) to replace it. Thanks for the all the pointers.
Man, I don't know what rock these guys came from.... I love your information! Even though I'm a Die hard Ford man... It is good to see honest information
I’ve watched all the videos on this build I believe you’re doing it the way it should be done and you’re doing an amazing job. The haters should understand that you’re in the business and probably been around a lot longer than they have and you’re quit knowledgeable apparently. I applaud you! The haters also don’t have the kind of tools and machines you have and probably can’t fit 2 of your machines in their garage. But anyways have a good one and live long and prosper 🖖🏼👍🏼🇺🇸
Betcha don't see the haters at the track showin' their time slips. That's because they are too busy workin' at their shops with the dyno they don't have, flowbench they don't have, and rebuild tools they don't have.
A pair of heads? Lol I would understand if it was an engine block, cast iron is heavier vs aluminium, it would be better to have more weight at the front, however that doesn't mean the vehicle won't lift the front end up if it has a tonne of power and no wheelie bars when those tyres grip lol
After seeing that Buick it almost has too much front end lift. Should we try an extra big block in the passenger seat?? Hahah. Kidding. Seriously though that first guy was definitely a crack head.. At the very least he ate alot of lead paint chips as a child. Killer build by the way. Its nice to see guys with knowledge building kick ass motors without throwing 10-12 grand in parts at it. Old school still rules.
Indeed. He's apparently unfamiliar with the ego's inside the corvette crowd: matching numbers always fetches a better price at auction than something rodded out with all the best aftermarket parts. That, and failing to notice... on the track you want your ride to hook up/move forward - not wheelstand, which is vehicle rotation around the axle robbing forward movement. No sense in striking up a conversation about instant center with him.
Finally a Story about all Chevy engines,limiting aftermarket and This is response from Chevy lovers, anyone knows about aftermarket but where in the heck did they get the Idea from
Mark built me a 468 short block for my camaro a few years ago. The guy is awesome. Talked to me for hours about my motor. I used the exact parts he told me to use and the car made 425 rwhp and 490 rwtq. It had 215 casting heads with very little cleanup. Used a small 228 hyd roller and a dual plane performer. He knows the right combos for these motors. I can only imagine what the car would of did with his ported heads.
You do a great job with these videos. From one engine builder to another there are way many ways to build high horsepower motors than the average computer builder will ever know. I spent more hours than you could count testing valve angles on different heads that these may sayers would not believe to picked up 2 to 3 horsepower on NA engines. I had two machinists over the years that machined to my specs. Over the winter I put together a 400 horsepower small block with factory parts including rocker arms. When you learn from old school builders and incorporate modern camshafts you can make 600 to 700 horsepower with late 60s and early 70s cast iron heads on big block Chevys and Fords. You just need the knowledge to do so.
Yeah ,show me a stock casted Ls block and heads N/A that will make that kind of hp and TORQUE with ease like a bbc for all the LS lovers, and I know someone will pick apart the statement bringing up LS3s and LS7s with all kinds of expensive mods, but at the end of the day the FACT STILL REMAINS, THERES NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT
I agree with you. But I love how everyone is on the ls bandwagon more cars for mine to beat up with it's antique big block and it sounds way better the way a car should sound.
j.e.d. 80. Hell I see plenty N/A sbc's shitting all over LS stuff at the track. But hey there just old boat anchor BBC and SBC's right. Lol Dem LS's ant shit without some type of forced induction.
@@slapnutzracing2152 so you reckon LS engine is not going to make power unless it gets boosted? There's heaps of LS-(X) N/A engine setups pushing above 800Hp. There's my engine build I haven't posted on the tube, there's also heaps on CZcams, like SAM LSX 433ci, 1000hp@9000+rpm. The LS is a modern day small block Chevy and it's very capable of doing crazy stuff as long as you know what to do
Man, don’t even feed into the BS comments. There will always be “barking dogs.” Numbers don’t lie. Now get back to the 620 build and leave the haters where they are - down in the hole where they belong!
I got some peanut port stuff and I'd like to use it. That in car shot tells me a motor like that in my 78 malibu or my 68 impala would be a Kick in the AXXX, and a blast to drive. OK, I'm impressed, how do I get in contact with these guys?? Anybody?
Mark built a 467 for my chevelle 2 years ago and I went to his shop to watch the dyno session and pick it up. Mark absolutely KNOWS HIS STUFF. I’ve beat the crap out of the engine and it hasn’t missed a lick. It makes a steetable 600/600 in a reliable package. Best money I’ve spent on the car. Let the haters hate, they don’t know what they’re missing. “Do the work, get the results”!!
The power and ease a 454 or 427 , or 402 does it is not to be matched by anything I've ever saw ., you will spend tons more on anything else and still may not end up with what these motors do with stock parts and some good head work like ya see here ,, 600 hp is nothing for these engines ,, if ya wanna talk about magazine builds ,, have saw several back in the day with 454s doing 600 with only a hyd cam , pump gas , and oval port heads ,, bigger and higher rpm stuff ,, like 256@050 ,, on a 108 ,, I get tickled at these young guys on these forums wanting a 496 ,, but aren't going to tie the frame and build at least a 8 point cage in a uni body car ,, in 2 weeks the doors won't open ,, these motors are monsters ,, they used to twist the ears off of Muncie 4 speeds ,, would like to see you do a 427 that would wind to 8500 , see what it does
dear Mark i am so sorry that you must read hate mail I have been a mechanic for 35 yrs .I have watched the 620 bb build from 1 to 21 and in all my life i have naver seen more beautiful attn. to detail and perfect machining any where so f#%^# all who hate on your work they all need to learn what is real and what is b.s. bragging from their drunk buddies
I have a zz 502 in a 2700 pound Camaro has been 6.48 @104 1/8 mile and would love for you to do your magic to it. Bet it would run in the high 5.90. Thanks for all the good info.
Love the work you do, your explanations and detail is awesome! Your videos helped me just port a set of 049's. Thank you Thank you. Ignore the ignorance of people who have read a bunch but have zero hands on experience. Keep posting more videos!
somebody that thinks a big block chevy is a boat anchor must be jealous or never been able to afford one or both . HAIL BIG BLOCK CHEVY personally i wouldn't be without one
John spent a lot of time gathering all his thoughts and putting pen to paper. He read all the magazines, so he obviously knows everything there is to know. Not sure why he's wasting time watching CZcams, he should be building motors for all of drag racing! Bet you didn't think I could get through that without dying from laughing so hard! Johns one of those "special" kind of idiots apparently, did he by chance write his letter in crayon?
I'm going to say this once and for all for the people that rode the letters into this man about his engine build of a 620 horse 454 hey he does it his way you do it your way but this is my way there is no replacement for displacement I don't care if your turbocharged it I don't care if your procharging it I don't care if you're using nitrous there is no way that a twin turbo LS is going to beat a twin turbo 454 no way hands down it doesn't matter about the heads you're pushing air in there this man spend time he spent his education and his money to come up with a plan to give you a sleeper I guess everybody in the viewing world of the CZcams has forgot one thing this is a sleeper motor it doesn't look like it's going to ton of horsepower under the valve covers it doesn't look like it's going to run nines it doesn't look like it's going to do wheelies wheelies are all set up in the suspension it has nothing to little to do with the motor I love these guys my first motor was all stock parts I went to a swap meet had three different types of Pistons from three different manufacturers I put them all together the only thing that I seen in the video is so far that this man didn't do to the connecting rods was polished the beams that makes them take more horsepower that makes some rib higher cuz they're lighter you spend your money your way and these men at the shop will spend their customers money the way the customers want
I don't understand the hate mail these guys have alòt to say but where's there videos on there engine builds the the guy talking about big blocks are nothing but boat anchors is a jack ass I'd love for him to take a NA Ls engine the same cubic inch as my 60 over 427 and line up with me motor to motor no power adders and see what he says about big blocks then I've ran big blocks for years and love them and I also had more iron head big blocks then aluminum headed big blocks and other then my mistake of leaning one out to much I've never had any problems on the street or at the track with them and in some cases spinning them as high as 7.400 rpms my 427 is carburateted and the motor made 661 hp and 605 torque on the dyno at 6000 rpms show me a ls that can do that with a hydraulic roller case closed I love your videos and you know you business when it comes to engine building I think most of these guys couldn't put a engine together buying top shelf parts to hold a candle to what you do with your tricks and skill so I hope you put more videos out. Those guys are probly doing water burnout in there moms front wheel drive mini vans on the way to the 7/11 to get there chee whees and cola icee before they get on the computers on there big Friday night...lol love your videos Rick 427
I loved the series, haters; bahhh! I’m so glad you go into detail and teach, thank you for making these videos. My machinist did the very same to my 781 heads on my 496. Great to see how well the combo works.
Mark, I wouldn’t waste your time even reading the comments...you will be amazed by the stupidity of these people. I’ve seen it on my channel for years.
I thought I’d add my 2 cents on some of comments made in the hate mail. First off aluminum heads do NOT make more power than Iron heads just because they are aluminum. All things being equal cast iron heads will make more power due to thermal dynamic efficiency than aluminum. This is simply because cast iron retains heat better and therefore heat units in combustion chamber generally equates to more power. aluminum does dissipate heat faster and therefore can tolerate a higher compression due to less tendency to detonation. Both Cast iron and Aluminum heads have their purpose depending on what you want and your budget. Keep in mind Mark is building a “budget motor” as stated. 620 HP is easily obtainable for a 467CI pump gas BBC motor. And it’s 100% Streetable and will have great longevity with minimal issues. . As far as launching better with Aluminum heads..? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard! And for the record I’ve weighed several of my bare iron BBC heads and they are usually in the 68 Lbs or so each range and about 35 to 38 lbs each for aluminum. Yes a nice weight savings but not nearly enough for any real world difference in the launch or on a time slip. As far as GM BBC factory iron heads being junk or a waste of time as someone said.. I’ve seen Iron headed BBC engines swapped to expensively prepped aluminum heads and actually lose ET. Reducing Rotating mass is more noticeable on launch than just simple weight loss itself. These iron oval port heads are A great choice and are best suited to what Mark is building on this project than rectangular port heads. As far as aluminum heads have a better “resale” value... keep in mind that aluminum does have a useable life whereas cast iron can last much longer with less problems. NO head is ready out of the box and will need work to operate with maximum efficiency and reliability. Sure you can bolt them on and go and they might work fine for you and then they may not. I guess that’s up to you. I’ve taken complete heads new out of the box and shined a bright light in the ports and could see light all the way around the valves in the seats. That’s not good! And these were good quality heads . Now The AFR oval port heads with the 2.30 intake valves that mark was working on sometime back with the out of tolerance valve seat run out.. were my heads that went on a pump gas 540 that Mark built for me a couple years ago. These were $3500 AFR 300 oval port full CNC heads and they were far from perfect out of the box! Mark did an awesome job on my 540 And it is an absolute Torque monster! I have personally built many engines and worked for some very reputable builders in my time and I can say that no one is as dedicated to the level of precision work that Mark does. So I recommend to anyone watching that instead of sending comments that make no sense, you watch and listen to what this man is telling you! Maybe you’ll learn something. Keep up the awesome work Mark!!
I say forget all the keyboard commandos its great to see what can be done with stock heads just what the old school hotroder did . Great video series keep up the good work !
Mark, you just can't fix stupid. I have applied a lot of your information to my own 469ci build And for someone to take old junkie GM parts and make 600+hp is impressive 👍
Mark, I've been following you on the Chevelles Forum for years now. Those of us who know you, know you are an excellent Machinist & engine builder with more knowledge forgotten than others know all together. Keep up the great video's. I know from the forumn's you have very thick skin and let all the hate roll right off you. I also know when you speak/type, people listen & learn.
This is FUCKING AWESOME! I haven't finished the video yet, but the first genius brings to mind a well known quote, "You got yourself a real statistician. Does he know anything about racecars?"🤔🤫 BAHAHAHHAHAHHAHA! The audacity of that moron to question you, a professional, that has been successful in this trade for how long......yeah. Keep up the amazing precision in your work, and thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. That dude is as useful as a 21/32" Craftsman wrench.
Big block chevys are boat anchors lol. The person who wrote this is no doubt a millennial. I would bet that this person has never had the chance to ride in a big block equipped car or truck stock or modified.
Much like John Smith, I used to be the guy whose only source of racing knowledge was car craft and hot rod magazines, hence the parroting of such “beliefs” such as “you can’t run 10s without aluminum heads” or any of the HUNDREDS of aftermarket parts “needed” to get a car to run. I saw light when I stumbled across VP on ST and at his recommendation, NHRA stock and super stock drag racing and I’ve never looked back... Old habits and thinking still die hard though... I STILL find myself completely amazed that a peanut port BBC in a SS/A has to run 8’s to be competitive!
I had to block tom hutchins. His first reply about a 427 having the best sound of both a sbc and bbc got me. Then after saying who can really hear the difference things got heated. Was told about his racing history then a comment about people who like to use trash and the 427 or any bbc don't hold together. Threw the fact gm spent a fortune designing parts for racing. They spun the hell out of the 427 in long NASCAR races. So when I did mine I went with a steel gm crank, 7/16 rods and a pair of 66 rectangular port heads. Helped the heads, crank, and rods cost me $300. I wanted to build something that held up to rpms like the sbc I replaced and figured good enough for NASCAR then will survive me for some time. Tom got more ignorant every reply telling me about his years of circle track racing and he was running 10s in the early 70s with a streetcar. Ran into guys like him before so told him I'm done arguing, have fun playing with yourself. This guy is nuts, makes claims without any details so I think he's full of it and just out to find an argument. He will troll you as long as you don't block him. Tried ignoring him and in 15mn another message came. Good luck with this guy. Cool build, I remember a guy in car craft ran nothing but what people tossed thinking they had to go aftermarket. He was building 468s with the same stuff and making about the same power. Think it was how to run 10s cheap. The guy had one of his engines in a 1st gen camaro. 10s seemed like a big deal in the 90s, now buy a caddy ctsv and a pulley swap your there. Glad someone's showing what you get with bolt on aftermarket heads. Heard many people complain about pro comps to expensive heads having cheap valves, springs or even valves breaking or the tips mushrooming. Holy crap I'm ranting, thanks for the info
Awh poor boy you dont have a girlfriend or wife do you OJ ? Who would pick a moron name like oj simpson kind of in bad taste he butchered 2 people? Oj you prove you cant fix stupid or teach anything to an idiot
The proof is in your dyno numbers and the way your car performs on the street or at the track I doubt the haters have ever had any motor that makes even close to those numbers all of the keyboard Internet engine builders always think they know more you’re putting it out there for everyone to see and it’s very impressive with a lot of modified stock parts that the average guy can either buy from you or build himself keep up the good work in the videos I like what you’re doing
I just seen your channel and this is the first video i watched I am sorry that you and many others have to put up with this stuff. Most of us don't say thanks or comment enough but we learn tons from people like you, I would say from those comments you read those people will never learn because they know it all or have read it in a magazine that sells the parts they are bolting on. that's all i can say besides thanks for giving us your knowledge.
Being totally honest I don't remember you saying why you didn't use aluminum heads, and always wondered... But I watched all your videos and liked them. I just told myself that you obviously know what you are doing!
Mark, you da man I bought my first BBC over 30 years ago and never looked back. Great foundation. massive main caps. Even on 2 bolt blocks. splayed valve aircraft canted valves. Mark shows all you guys how good the BBC is out of the box.... Period. By the way all you LS LSX guys out there...... Why does dart offer a canted valve BBC style head??? Why did ford suddenly come out with the 385 series big block 429/ 460?? Boss 302/ cleveland 351/ 400 in the late sixties???? Pull the valve cover and you're looking at a BBC. even chrysler knew it was game over and tried to build their own version of the BBC known as the BALL STUD HEMI ! They are not a hemi . I laugh at chrysler guys because most have never heard of the BS hemi. Keep showing real guys how good production parts are. By the way LS guys bore spacing determines bow big the valve can be in a given bore. The bigger the bore spacing, the bigger the valves can be.....David Reher.
I wonder how many engines those clowns have built! After watching many of your videos, if you told me to go stand on my head for an hour and it would make my 454 run better I would believe you lol
Sometimes a person just needs to shut the hell up and listen to someone who might just know more than them. Mark thanks for these videos I’m learning a lot.
LOVE YOUR VIDEOS. PEOPLE ONLY HEAR PART OF THE INFORMATION YOU SHARE AND THEN FORM THEIR OPINION BASED ON WHAT THEY HEAR OR HAVE BEEN TAUGHT. I. HAVE READ ALL OF THE EXPERT TOP NOTCH BUILDERS ARTICLES. YOU ARE AN EXPERT ENGINE BUILDER. EXPERT MACHINIST WHO DOES NOT CUT CORNERS. YOU ARE USING METHODS THAT TOP ENGINE BUILDERS HAVE OBTAINED FROM NASCAR EXPERIENCE OVER THE YEARS. THE POWER IS IN THE DETAILS AND TESTING. OH BY THE WAY MY HATE MAIL IS PUT ON A NICE SHIRT WHEN READING HATE MAIL YOU WILL LOOK MORE CONVINCING. 😁😁😁
Not sure why you would get any hate mail when you are giving a wealth of information and knowledge. 😎👍🏾
Some people even whine when you give them something for free
Typical internet; no good deed goes unpunished. Everyone's a "pro" except for the real pros who build big power with "junk factory" parts. VortecPro's engine HP claims have been tested at the track; they usually run as fast or faster than estimated.
Well when I build my money back up I hope you can do my 781.s for me ? More power to ya brother have a blessed day Sir.
There's a difference between a engine builder and an engine assembler. Mark is an engine builder, he's taking us behind the scenes and showing us step by step absolutely everything it takes to build a 620 HP big block Chevy with mostly stock GM parts. The work you did to the crank was impressive, rods impressive, video series and straight forward explanation equally impressive. I'll bet most of the haters are engine assemblers and have never touched a start button in a machine shop. Keep up the good work Mark.
I run cast heads on my big block to keep my wheels on the ground. So much harder to steer when Aluminum ones fitted lol
If ya got haters,,, Means your doing it right!
I WORKED FOR A MARINE ENGINE BUILDING COMPANY ON POWERBOAT ROW IN THE EARLY 90'S. ALL WE BUILT WERE BIG BLOCK CHEVY MOTORS... 502,572,588 AND 634C.I. MOTORS.90 PERCENT OF THEM WERE OEM FOR CIGARETTE RACING TEAM. I DID ALL THE PURCHASING AND PROCUREMENT OF THE PARTS AS WELL AS SOME R&D.
I HAVE WATCHED EVRY VIDEO OF YOURS THE DAY YOU RELEASED IT... CLEARLY YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING ! JUST ONE THING... I NEED MORE ENGINE BUILDING !!! I NEED ENGINE BUILDING VIDEOS TO WATCH...WITH NARRATION AND ABSOLUTELY NO MUSIC!!!
I HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART FOR THE RAT MOTOR ESPECIALLY WITH ALL OF THE INNOVATIONS IN THE PAST 30 YEARS...ELECTRONIC INJECTION, EXTRUSION HONING,COMPUTERS AND MANY SO MANY OTHER THINGS. SOME OF MY FAVORITE VENDORS WERE JESSEL AND FERREA... JEWELRY FOR ENGINES.
JUST KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND DON'T LET THE JERK OFFS DERAIL YOUR EFFORTS
How did you not call these guys idiots! Your vids are all great info and done right. I’m a long time “ Boat Anchor” machinist and racer. The bbc is the best NA platform ever. I love the LS, but you have to force air into them to make big HP.
Well that just proves that there is no shortage of idiots in this world. I certainly have been finding your video series informative and enjoyable. Please keep the videos coming. You are a master at what you do and as a fellow machinist I have great appreciation for the quality and detail of your work. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. I love the Big Block Chevy iron heads and am thrilled to have found you on You Tube.
That first guy just knows it all man! Lol
I like to take factory parts and make them work you do great work I love cast heads
Stopped in for High Performance Entertainment 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
It’s great to see that a serious guy has a great sense of humor !
I have a 496 Stroker boat anchor.
I build custom engines for a living, been in it since I was was knee high to a chipmunk, If you want to see someone do this right watch these guys, he is showing a lot of special tricks and procedures you will almost never get when paying for an engine so listen up! Take notes!
As for the power this will make, i know from experience he will easily hit 620hp, and trust me it will make a ton of torque, tight lsa cam, decent compression with small to moderate port size, yeah that's a recipe for a bad ass street/strip BBC, keep up the good work!
Sounds like alot of bench racing HP "engineers" out there....as a Mopar guy definitely was impressed on how this build turned out. I didn't think a 238 @ .50 cam could do it, I had to go 2 sizes larger to hit 600 with a 450 ci 440.
I'm late to the party
But I'm getting sick and tired of people discouraging others from wanting to use older steel heads.
It makes me assume that they DID NOT have exposure at a young age to the older stuff. I'm about to pay $1500 on some 990 heads. The main reason is that because as a 16 year old I was blessed enough to ride in a gold class show car that had an LS7 in it(no kids..not an LS)
It's about feeling some godd emotion to go along with the highs and lows of tinkering with these old.hot rods.
Also, for anyone reading...PLEASE don't toss the steel heads out. Sell them to us
..or better yet...use them yourself. ..you won't regret it
Thanks
Just found your channel and I am glad I did. In the process of doing my own 468, almost the same build. Only difference from mine to yours is I'm a lil closer to 11 to 1 and my cam is in the .620 range for lift. I'm really excited not to get it finished and dyno'd now. Thank you for all the tips and info your passing on.
355👍's up thanks for sharing
I don't think I sent you hate mail I sent you a idea it wasn't intended for hate mail
I love all your videos forget those guys that are sending you hate mail most of them I'm sure are not engine builders or can even build a half ass set of heads I've seen what your motors do on a dyno and I'm sure your builds are built to last. So keep doing what you do I sure appreciate your knowledge and videos your friend Rick427
Mark, you and I used to go around a bit at Chevelles.com. But the one thing you'd never get out of me was "you don't know what you are doing ...". I really wonder where these haters get their info ?? It ain't like you have never seen the inside of BBC. Jeez dude, how many have you built in your career - I'll wager more than a few dozen.
If anyone has a "boat anchor" BBC block laying around on a pallet, I'm in for shipping out to Cali :D
That first guy knows his shit!
Great videos, great info, I appreciate all you do and share. I will be contacting you for some engine work in the future.
Best
Greg
Seems like some really great information people with hate mail are joke who cares and what these idiots say. The information was incredible and it really showed all the detail that is overlooked by the backyard mechanic. Building HP takes money and time/patience.
You've been a great help watching these, we assembled a 427 for a Vw. I am now working on a 454 possibly stroking it to 500 ( as close as possible) to replace it. Thanks for the all the pointers.
Man, I don't know what rock these guys came from.... I love your information! Even though I'm a Die hard Ford man... It is good to see honest information
Lots of NOBODYS out there, dont bother about them. Your videos are great and very impressive.
I’ve watched all the videos on this build I believe you’re doing it the way it should be done and you’re doing an amazing job. The haters should understand that you’re in the business and probably been around a lot longer than they have and you’re quit knowledgeable apparently. I applaud you! The haters also don’t have the kind of tools and machines you have and probably can’t fit 2 of your machines in their garage. But anyways have a good one and live long and prosper 🖖🏼👍🏼🇺🇸
Billy Cringan 100% of them wouldn't even know how to set up and turn it on.
keith faux hell I’d be the same way I wouldn’t be able to turn them in either. He obviously a professional and knows what he’s doing.
Some folks are a bit confused
I wish there was engineer builders like these guys near me.
Betcha don't see the haters at the track showin' their time slips. That's because they are too busy workin' at their shops with the dyno they don't have, flowbench they don't have, and rebuild tools they don't have.
but keyboard they do have
Hahahaha that first guy had me dying
Aluminum heads so the front end will go up higher 😆😆😂😂
power and traction take care of that! Cant fix stupid!
A pair of heads? Lol I would understand if it was an engine block, cast iron is heavier vs aluminium, it would be better to have more weight at the front, however that doesn't mean the vehicle won't lift the front end up if it has a tonne of power and no wheelie bars when those tyres grip lol
After seeing that Buick it almost has too much front end lift. Should we try an extra big block in the passenger seat?? Hahah. Kidding.
Seriously though that first guy was definitely a crack head.. At the very least he ate alot of lead paint chips as a child.
Killer build by the way. Its nice to see guys with knowledge building kick ass motors without throwing 10-12 grand in parts at it. Old school still rules.
Indeed. He's apparently unfamiliar with the ego's inside the corvette crowd: matching numbers always fetches a better price at auction than something rodded out with all the best aftermarket parts. That, and failing to notice... on the track you want your ride to hook up/move forward - not wheelstand, which is vehicle rotation around the axle robbing forward movement. No sense in striking up a conversation about instant center with him.
Finally a Story about all Chevy engines,limiting aftermarket and This is response from Chevy lovers, anyone knows about aftermarket but where in the heck did they get the Idea from
Those people are hilarious 😆. I'll never really understand everyone lol.
Mark built me a 468 short block for my camaro a few years ago. The guy is awesome. Talked to me for hours about my motor. I used the exact parts he told me to use and the car made 425 rwhp and 490 rwtq. It had 215 casting heads with very little cleanup. Used a small 228 hyd roller and a dual plane performer. He knows the right combos for these motors. I can only imagine what the car would of did with his ported heads.
You do a great job with these videos. From one engine builder to another there are way many ways to build high horsepower motors than the average computer builder will ever know. I spent more hours than you could count testing valve angles on different heads that these may sayers would not believe to picked up 2 to 3 horsepower on NA engines. I had two machinists over the years that machined to my specs. Over the winter I put together a 400 horsepower small block with factory parts including rocker arms. When you learn from old school builders and incorporate modern camshafts you can make 600 to 700 horsepower with late 60s and early 70s cast iron heads on big block Chevys and Fords. You just need the knowledge to do so.
Yeah ,show me a stock casted Ls block and heads
N/A that will make that kind of hp and TORQUE with ease like a bbc for all the LS lovers, and I know someone will pick apart the statement bringing up LS3s and LS7s with all kinds of expensive mods, but at the end of the day the FACT STILL REMAINS, THERES NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT
Only in drag racing
Raydidit13 mines 582 hp
I agree with you. But I love how everyone is on the ls bandwagon more cars for mine to beat up with it's antique big block and it sounds way better the way a car should sound.
j.e.d. 80. Hell I see plenty N/A sbc's shitting all over LS stuff at the track. But hey
there just old boat anchor
BBC and SBC's right. Lol
Dem LS's ant shit without
some type of forced induction.
@@slapnutzracing2152 so you reckon LS engine is not going to make power unless it gets boosted? There's heaps of LS-(X) N/A engine setups pushing above 800Hp. There's my engine build I haven't posted on the tube, there's also heaps on CZcams, like SAM LSX 433ci, 1000hp@9000+rpm.
The LS is a modern day small block Chevy and it's very capable of doing crazy stuff as long as you know what to do
Nuckle heads
Man, don’t even feed into the BS comments. There will always be “barking dogs.” Numbers don’t lie. Now get back to the 620 build and leave the haters where they are - down in the hole where they belong!
I got some peanut port stuff and I'd like to use it. That in car shot tells me a motor like that in my 78 malibu or my 68 impala would be a Kick in the AXXX, and a blast to drive.
OK, I'm impressed, how do I get in contact with these guys?? Anybody?
Great series of videos, thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Boat anchor??? Lol
U don't deserve the negative comments your a pro.dont let it get to you my friend
2nd letter had it down. LS power can't be touched.
HP is a byproduct of torque and torque wins races.
Mark built a 467 for my chevelle 2 years ago and I went to his shop to watch the dyno session and pick it up. Mark absolutely KNOWS HIS STUFF. I’ve beat the crap out of the engine and it hasn’t missed a lick. It makes a steetable 600/600 in a reliable package. Best money I’ve spent on the car. Let the haters hate, they don’t know what they’re missing. “Do the work, get the results”!!
The power and ease a 454 or 427 , or 402 does it is not to be matched by anything I've ever saw ., you will spend tons more on anything else and still may not end up with what these motors do with stock parts and some good head work like ya see here ,, 600 hp is nothing for these engines ,, if ya wanna talk about magazine builds ,, have saw several back in the day with 454s doing 600 with only a hyd cam , pump gas , and oval port heads ,, bigger and higher rpm stuff ,, like 256@050 ,, on a 108 ,, I get tickled at these young guys on these forums wanting a 496 ,, but aren't going to tie the frame and build at least a 8 point cage in a uni body car ,, in 2 weeks the doors won't open ,, these motors are monsters ,, they used to twist the ears off of Muncie 4 speeds ,, would like to see you do a 427 that would wind to 8500 , see what it does
I agree
I have 454 L's 6 iron heads on my l 88 runs good and strong and very reliable ! The know it all's make us laugh !!!
dear Mark i am so sorry that you must read hate mail I have been a mechanic for 35 yrs .I have watched the 620 bb build from 1 to 21
and in all my life i have naver seen more beautiful attn. to detail and perfect machining any where so f#%^# all who hate on your work
they all need to learn what is real and what is b.s. bragging from their drunk buddies
Very Good and informative show, Keep up the good work!!
Sounds like those people dont know wtf they are doing in the old school engine building. We got way more HP out of the big block old style engines.
I have a zz 502 in a 2700 pound Camaro has been 6.48 @104 1/8 mile and would love for you to do your magic to it. Bet it would run in the high 5.90. Thanks for all the good info.
Iron head porting is great for experience and experimenting. Not everyone can walk in a performance shop and drop two grand...
Mark - Thanks for sharing your knowledge, and showing the different machining.
Hate mail just means you're getting popular!
100# difference heck the iron heads don't weigh #100 pounds altogether.
Love the work you do, your explanations and detail is awesome! Your videos helped me just port a set of 049's. Thank you Thank you. Ignore the ignorance of people who have read a bunch but have zero hands on experience. Keep posting more videos!
somebody that thinks a big block chevy is a boat anchor must be jealous or never been able to afford one or both . HAIL BIG BLOCK CHEVY personally i wouldn't be without one
John spent a lot of time gathering all his thoughts and putting pen to paper. He read all the magazines, so he obviously knows everything there is to know. Not sure why he's wasting time watching CZcams, he should be building motors for all of drag racing! Bet you didn't think I could get through that without dying from laughing so hard! Johns one of those "special" kind of idiots apparently, did he by chance write his letter in crayon?
How do you get hate mail? We appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge with us.
I'm going to say this once and for all for the people that rode the letters into this man about his engine build of a 620 horse 454 hey he does it his way you do it your way but this is my way
there is no replacement for displacement
I don't care if your turbocharged it I don't care if your procharging it I don't care if you're using nitrous there is no way that a twin turbo LS is going to beat a twin turbo 454 no way hands down it doesn't matter about the heads you're pushing air in there this man spend time he spent his education and his money to come up with a plan to give you a sleeper I guess everybody in the viewing world of the CZcams has forgot one thing this is a sleeper motor it doesn't look like it's going to ton of horsepower under the valve covers it doesn't look like it's going to run nines it doesn't look like it's going to do wheelies wheelies are all set up in the suspension it has nothing to little to do with the motor I love these guys my first motor was all stock parts I went to a swap meet had three different types of Pistons from three different manufacturers I put them all together the only thing that I seen in the video is so far that this man didn't do to the connecting rods was polished the beams that makes them take more horsepower that makes some rib higher cuz they're lighter you spend your money your way and these men at the shop will spend their customers money the way the customers want
Car Craft ... say no more. HEY! Dont forget to tighten up your wire nuts on your HEI 😏
This engine builder can build my motor anytime...!!!
Sounds like a bunch of 12 year old keyboard mechanics
I don't understand the hate mail these guys have alòt to say but where's there videos on there engine builds the the guy talking about big blocks are nothing but boat anchors is a jack ass I'd love for him to take a NA Ls engine the same cubic inch as my 60 over 427 and line up with me motor to motor no power adders and see what he says about big blocks then I've ran big blocks for years and love them and I also had more iron head big blocks then aluminum headed big blocks and other then my mistake of leaning one out to much I've never had any problems on the street or at the track with them and in some cases spinning them as high as 7.400 rpms my 427 is carburateted and the motor made 661 hp and 605 torque on the dyno at 6000 rpms show me a ls that can do that with a hydraulic roller case closed I love your videos and you know you business when it comes to engine building I think most of these guys couldn't put a engine together buying top shelf parts to hold a candle to what you do with your tricks and skill so I hope you put more videos out. Those guys are probly doing water burnout in there moms front wheel drive mini vans on the way to the 7/11 to get there chee whees and cola icee before they get on the computers on there big Friday night...lol love your videos Rick 427
I loved the series, haters; bahhh! I’m so glad you go into detail and teach, thank you for making these videos. My machinist did the very same to my 781 heads on my 496. Great to see how well the combo works.
Lol some people know only what they read and then they still interpret it incorrectly!!!😬
Everything that you show on your videos is right on the money!!! Keep up the good work!!!!
Mark, I wouldn’t waste your time even reading the comments...you will be amazed by the stupidity of these people.
I’ve seen it on my channel for years.
This is funny! no where did he say ok this where i prove that factory is better, he is showing what he can do with factory parts
That was funny I wish I could find some one that could install bronze valve guides in my 781 oval port heads that new what they where doing
I thought I’d add my 2 cents on some of comments made in the hate mail. First off aluminum heads do NOT make more power than Iron heads just because they are aluminum. All things being equal cast iron heads will make more power due to thermal dynamic efficiency than aluminum. This is simply because cast iron retains heat better and therefore heat units in combustion chamber generally equates to more power.
aluminum does dissipate heat faster and therefore can tolerate a higher compression due to less tendency to detonation. Both Cast iron and Aluminum heads have their purpose depending on what you want and your budget. Keep in mind Mark is building a “budget motor” as stated. 620 HP is easily obtainable for a 467CI pump gas BBC motor. And it’s 100% Streetable and will have great longevity with minimal issues.
. As far as launching better with Aluminum heads..? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard! And for the record I’ve weighed several of my bare iron BBC heads and they are usually in the 68 Lbs or so each range and about 35 to 38 lbs each for aluminum. Yes a nice weight savings but not nearly enough for any real world difference in the launch or on a time slip. As far as GM BBC factory iron heads being junk or a waste of time as someone said.. I’ve seen Iron headed BBC engines swapped to expensively prepped aluminum heads and actually lose ET.
Reducing Rotating mass is more noticeable on launch than just simple weight loss itself. These iron oval port heads are A great choice and are best suited to what Mark is building on this project than rectangular port heads. As far as aluminum heads have a better “resale” value... keep in mind that aluminum does have a useable life whereas cast iron can last much longer with less problems.
NO head is ready out of the box and will need work to operate with maximum efficiency and reliability. Sure you can bolt them on and go and they might work fine for you and then they may not. I guess that’s up to you. I’ve taken complete heads new out of the box and shined a bright light in the ports and could see light all the way around the valves in the seats. That’s not good! And these were good quality heads
.
Now The AFR oval port heads with the 2.30 intake valves that mark was working on sometime back with the out of tolerance valve seat run out.. were my heads that went on a pump gas 540 that Mark built for me a couple years ago. These were $3500 AFR 300 oval port full CNC heads and they were far from perfect out of the box!
Mark did an awesome job on my 540 And it is an absolute Torque monster!
I have personally built many engines and worked for some very reputable builders in my time and I can say that no one is as dedicated to the level of precision work that Mark does. So I recommend to anyone watching that instead of sending comments that make no sense, you watch and listen to what this man is telling you! Maybe you’ll learn something.
Keep up the awesome work Mark!!
Ya ain't doing your job until you get your name on the shithouse wall.
Great videos. But only thing that bugs me is how you are arrogant to your camera man. Give him some kudos.
I can't wait to get my motor including it's iron heads from you!! I'm with "blinda", that first one was hilarious.
Keep the vids coming. Thanks Mark!!
Stupid haters are funny and sad they are proud of stupid! Most have never turn wrenches just bench racers. Great funny video and Thanks for sharing!
0:27 John Smith, my name is Joe Blow.
I love this new channel. As stated before, I also appreciate the extra knowledge.
Funny shit
I say forget all the keyboard commandos its great to see what can be done with stock heads just what the old school hotroder did . Great video series keep up the good work !
stock heads a well set up car AND A BOTTLE
Mark, you just can't fix stupid.
I have applied a lot of your information to my own 469ci build
And for someone to take old junkie GM parts and make 600+hp is impressive 👍
Not hate mail Comedy central,
Your proof is at the track good job and that wheel stand bad ass
Mark, I've been following you on the Chevelles Forum for years now. Those of us who know you, know you are an excellent Machinist & engine builder with more knowledge forgotten than others know all together. Keep up the great video's. I know from the forumn's you have very thick skin and let all the hate roll right off you. I also know when you speak/type, people listen & learn.
This is FUCKING AWESOME! I haven't finished the video yet, but the first genius brings to mind a well known quote, "You got yourself a real statistician. Does he know anything about racecars?"🤔🤫 BAHAHAHHAHAHHAHA!
The audacity of that moron to question you, a professional, that has been successful in this trade for how long......yeah. Keep up the amazing precision in your work, and thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge.
That dude is as useful as a 21/32" Craftsman wrench.
Big block chevys are boat anchors lol. The person who wrote this is no doubt a millennial. I would bet that this person has never had the chance to ride in a big block equipped car or truck stock or modified.
People just hating on BIG BLOCK CHEVY POWER! They are rookies in the game 😂😂😂 IRON HEADS CAN MAKE BIG POWER WHEN YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!
Much like John Smith, I used to be the guy whose only source of racing knowledge was car craft and hot rod magazines, hence the parroting of such “beliefs” such as “you can’t run 10s without aluminum heads” or any of the HUNDREDS of aftermarket parts “needed” to get a car to run.
I saw light when I stumbled across VP on ST and at his recommendation, NHRA stock and super stock drag racing and I’ve never looked back...
Old habits and thinking still die hard though... I STILL find myself completely amazed that a peanut port BBC in a SS/A has to run 8’s to be competitive!
I had to block tom hutchins. His first reply about a 427 having the best sound of both a sbc and bbc got me. Then after saying who can really hear the difference things got heated. Was told about his racing history then a comment about people who like to use trash and the 427 or any bbc don't hold together. Threw the fact gm spent a fortune designing parts for racing. They spun the hell out of the 427 in long NASCAR races. So when I did mine I went with a steel gm crank, 7/16 rods and a pair of 66 rectangular port heads. Helped the heads, crank, and rods cost me $300. I wanted to build something that held up to rpms like the sbc I replaced and figured good enough for NASCAR then will survive me for some time. Tom got more ignorant every reply telling me about his years of circle track racing and he was running 10s in the early 70s with a streetcar. Ran into guys like him before so told him I'm done arguing, have fun playing with yourself. This guy is nuts, makes claims without any details so I think he's full of it and just out to find an argument. He will troll you as long as you don't block him. Tried ignoring him and in 15mn another message came. Good luck with this guy. Cool build, I remember a guy in car craft ran nothing but what people tossed thinking they had to go aftermarket. He was building 468s with the same stuff and making about the same power. Think it was how to run 10s cheap. The guy had one of his engines in a 1st gen camaro. 10s seemed like a big deal in the 90s, now buy a caddy ctsv and a pulley swap your there. Glad someone's showing what you get with bolt on aftermarket heads. Heard many people complain about pro comps to expensive heads having cheap valves, springs or even valves breaking or the tips mushrooming. Holy crap I'm ranting, thanks for the info
Awh poor boy you dont have a girlfriend or wife do you OJ ? Who would pick a moron name like oj simpson kind of in bad taste he butchered 2 people?
Oj you prove you cant fix stupid or teach anything to an idiot
Oh yah OJ you complete moron you cant block me ITS NOT YOUR CHANNEL
Too funny! These haters have been watching too many TV shows. Solid proof that advertising works! (for some people!)
Love YOUR VIDEOS
you guys make great videos!!! good engine builder and machinist! those haters make me laugh,, thanks for the comic relief
I assume you read these for your entertainment, some people. lol Look forward to your next video!!!
I've been enjoying this series. lots of great info on the subject. Everybody is a critic these days.....
Tom Hutchins. Lol. Todays Tom Sawyer . Lol
The proof is in your dyno numbers and the way your car performs on the street or at the track I doubt the haters have ever had any motor that makes even close to those numbers all of the keyboard Internet engine builders always think they know more you’re putting it out there for everyone to see and it’s very impressive with a lot of modified stock parts that
the average guy can either buy from you or build himself keep up the good work in the videos I like what you’re doing
I just seen your channel and this is the first video i watched I am sorry that you and many others have to put up with this stuff. Most of us don't say thanks or comment enough but we learn tons from people like you, I would say from those comments you read those people will never learn because they know it all or have read it in a magazine that sells the parts they are bolting on. that's all i can say besides thanks for giving us your knowledge.
Being totally honest I don't remember you saying why you didn't use aluminum heads, and always wondered... But I watched all your videos and liked them. I just told myself that you obviously know what you are doing!
Mark, you da man I bought my first BBC over 30 years ago and never looked back. Great foundation. massive main caps. Even on 2 bolt blocks. splayed valve aircraft canted valves. Mark shows all you guys how good the BBC is out of the box.... Period. By the way all you LS LSX guys out there...... Why does dart offer a canted valve BBC style head??? Why did ford suddenly come out with the 385 series big block 429/ 460?? Boss 302/ cleveland 351/ 400 in the late sixties???? Pull the valve cover and you're looking at a BBC. even chrysler knew it was game over and tried to build their own version of the BBC known as the BALL STUD HEMI ! They are not a hemi . I laugh at chrysler guys because most have never heard of the BS hemi. Keep showing real guys how good production parts are. By the way LS guys bore spacing determines bow big the valve can be in a given bore. The bigger the bore spacing, the bigger the valves can be.....David Reher.
Is the "pudding" tapioca?!?!?!
I wonder how many engines those clowns have built! After watching many of your videos, if you told me to go stand on my head for an hour and it would make my 454 run better I would believe you lol
Sometimes a person just needs to shut the hell up and listen to someone who might just know more than them. Mark thanks for these videos I’m learning a lot.
This might seem foolish to ask, but do you do Pontiac heads? . Or are you Chevy specific
LOVE YOUR VIDEOS. PEOPLE ONLY HEAR PART OF THE INFORMATION YOU SHARE AND THEN FORM THEIR OPINION BASED ON WHAT THEY HEAR OR HAVE BEEN TAUGHT. I. HAVE READ ALL OF THE EXPERT TOP NOTCH BUILDERS ARTICLES. YOU ARE AN EXPERT ENGINE BUILDER. EXPERT MACHINIST WHO DOES NOT CUT CORNERS. YOU ARE USING METHODS THAT TOP ENGINE BUILDERS HAVE OBTAINED FROM NASCAR EXPERIENCE OVER THE YEARS. THE POWER IS IN THE DETAILS AND TESTING. OH BY THE WAY MY HATE MAIL IS PUT ON A NICE SHIRT WHEN READING HATE MAIL YOU WILL LOOK MORE CONVINCING. 😁😁😁