Building a Chevy 292 straight 6

For what it's worth - don't sell the 292 short in the performance department. My '56 Chevy 2 door that still looks like grandma's car has a very streetable 292 4 speed and will run mid - 13's at 100 mph. My 1950 Chevy pickup has a more serious/ race only engine and 4 speed and it has run 10.94 at 119 mph, NA. They are great little engines!

 

My everyday driver is an OT ute. For reference it is a Ford Falcon ute with a Barra engine. These things have a lot of torque down low, and can be made to put out some serious HP up high, and loss some of the down low torque. With the current gearing I can drive it for a week and not go over 3500 rpm. This still gives me very good acceleration. It is a rare day that it goes above 4500 as I am up to speed and am backing of. For a street driven car, in my opinion with the correct gearing aim for bucket loads of low down torque. For track or strip aim to rev the guts out of it and produce the last ounce of HP.

An old mechanic once told me that for best economy aim to have the torque peak coinciding with normal cruise rpm. This is because an engine is working most efficiently when in produces its maximum torque.

As for HAMB content my truck will have a 261 and my aim is to produce the most torque I can at 2000 rpm.

Steve from down under

 

Ron????

 

No shortage of power or seat of the pants feel on this one. That engine sounded like a dozen pissed off chains saws when it p***ed the 1/8 mile mark at the Billetproof drags last year.

I've got a 292 for my 48 that is getting a cam and lump ports to go along with the 4 barrel intake and cast headers. Backed by an AX15 trans with Novak adapter and 3.55 gears.

 

Yup! - So, should I know you?

 

Chris, I had this one built by Larry's Power in Groton Ct. They are the same people that worked with leo Santucci and his hybrid head 292.
Here's the facebook page they did for me to chronicle the build
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.704266242919989.1073741842.168904043122881&type=1
I got all my stuff from Tom Lowe over on 12bolt.com.
Motor made 300hp on the dyno with a little 390 Holley carb.

 

Forgot to mention, I am running a 700r4 with 3:73 gears and a Yank 3200 stall convertor. Thing scars me half to death!