Hello, I am new here. Im looking for some advice on building 355 for a 1979 pontiac grand prix..stripped out..456 with eaton posi. that will be a drag race car only. My son is racing and now wants dad join the fun. I am looking for a mid 12 car.. can this be done with what I have? The block is a '92 350sbc 2 bolt bored .030, stock crank and rods, speed pro 4vr flat top pistons. It is a basic short block to this point. any suggestions? thanks for any help.  

Those are some pretty light-duty components to match with a 4.56 gear pushing a 12 second car.

That gear and your desired ET will probably call for around 425-450 horsepower at the wheels - this may be plenty for cheapo cast pistons and OE rotating components. I'm not telling you to start over if you can't afford to but just realize that if you have an engine failure after some time it won't be that much of a mystery...

Just build an engine that won't mind a peak horsepower of around 6000 rpm - you don't want to heavily limit an engine because your short-block may not be up to snuff.  

If you want some additional Pontiac help I would go to our sister site GM High Tech Performance.  

Wow, you do it again...

Recommend someone go to GM HIGH-TECH PERFORMANCE for help with a carbed 1979 PONTIAC.

And you're a moderator...  

Well if starting over is the answer I guess thats what will have to happen. I do have a '67 327 fresh bore at .040...small jrnl. no crank or rods and thought about it, but figured I would be better off with the 350. any thoughts there?  

You could always do what I would do and get a 454. Just kidding, but I would stay with the 350. Forged crank, forged pistons, good rods(Eagle makes some good affordable rods), ARP main studs-rod bolts, plasma-moly rings and a suitable roller cam should build you a stout short-block. You need some good heads to make it all come together. Maybe if going through all that, get a stroker kit, and make a 383. MORE CUBES!!!!! I love it.  

Yeah, you definitely need to upgrade the motor's internals if you're gonna be drag racing. Like mentioned above, forged internals (you can get away with using the cast crank though) and go with main studs on the block you've got for more strength.  

OK NOW WHAT? I picked up a 350 4 bolt .030 over, mains have been line honed block was cleaned and shot blasted. I have looked at the complete kits on enginekits.com..are they any good? the 383 kit is on sale now for $425.00 then 200.00 for balance with a flex plate and dampener. I am also looking at the complete upper end kit from doug herbert..alum. heads, intake and cam set for around $1,200.00. would this be a decent build or what should i be looking at? I am pretty good at wrenching, but have never clearanced a block for a stroker, is it something i can do in the shop?  

Check this out. get a vortec, bored and stroke it to a 383,or use vortec heads, get forged interals, as far as rods, pistons, u can use the stock crank, zz4 cam but u will have to drill the heads were the rods go throug the head with i think a 3/8 drill bit for clearence, use bee hive springs off a ls1 from comp cam-cca-26918-16 and use a lil bit of spray like a 100 shot and u will be there that's what i'm building for my 96 zr2 blazer. and get a good trans that's built and a 2500  stall. with i right gear in the rear.  

o yeah u have to u a 1.6 roller rocker to make the cam bigger to it will turn out to like a 558int/ext  

I went ahead and got the eagle 383 balanced assembly with forged pistons and the edelbrock aluminum head upper kit..it came with cam, lifters and all match stuff for my build. Im hoping for 425 ponies....thanks for the help guys.