Update
Guys the 283 combo fell short of my 12 second goal by a mile. It actually ran 14.00 and was very easy to drive. I believe the problem is that the cam and heads are not a good match as I have made many high 12 second passes with a 327 and 350 with these heads and my generic "30/30" copy from PAW. The car was not all that torquey for a short solid cam and performed much like the old .390/.410 hydraulic cam that came in just about everything. I think I would recomend either this or a slightly larger hydraulic cam to anyone over the 097 based on my experience for its low speed torque, though the older heads may have better low lift flow compatibility with the 097.
I was not happy with this combo, and already swapped in my "30/30" cam this week and the top end feels much much faster but its a dog with my street gears (3.70) and I will put the 4.56 pumkin back in for next week. I will race my friends new Vette this coming Friday and I will post results soon after.
Denis, building up the 56 Chevy motor, 300 hp and 14.00 should be easy as I have just proven. I know that my 2.02 heads were not necisary to run this number, and the car may have run better with my 1.94 cammel humps. 4.56 gears seemed a bit much try some 4.11s. Try the stock .390/.410 hydraulic first as it might already do enough for you and extreme streetability. It was just $25 at Advance Auto Parts last time I checked, and can be looked up as the 300hp 327 cam. (Yes I know it came in everything else too. Chuckle) For more performanceI would suggest a cam something between 208 and 218 dur with an lsa between 106 and 110 and the most lift you can get for this dur. Use some 461 or 462 castings and mill to the max or try some 601 heads easily available and cheap and run them as is. Just upgrade to better springs get the compression up to at least 9.5 to 1 is proberably a must and headers required try 1 and 5/8 hookers. tailpipes are very easy with these! Strait no bends 2 1/2"pipe to offset inlet/center outlet flowmasters and flowmaster tailpipe kit available at summit. The summit Chambered mufflers in the same combination will do just as well, and they cost just $30 ea. I know the diameter sounds big, but trust me its not bad. They put this size on new mustangs with similar sized engines with good results. I just made a 120 mile round trip to Fredriksburg with 17.5 mpg in my 55 packed full of friends with the 283 and torquless .030/.030 cam and 2.02 heads with 3.70 gears and wished it had 4.11s on hills though. The 1.94 cammal humps are great street heads and I have run 13.40 on them in a 350 with a 218 @.050 .450 lift hydraulic shifting at 6000. Very nice street manners too. You may want to wait for the results of my grudge match Fri before taking my advice, that is I wouldnt blame you at all!
Well, have fun! It's all about the fun.
Henry
55 Chevy
283 4 speed
4.56 gears