The best options for powering your project.....Bang for the buck wise!

We talked earlier about the path of least resistance. Hot Rod ran an article about a year ago on the top 20 hot rod engines of all time. The readers voted, and I think the results were pretty accurate. I've had people ask me for my unbiased opinion on the best musclecar powerplants and their always surprised by my lack of "Brand Loyalty".  You didn't ask me what I personally liked; you asked me what offered the most bang for the buck. I personally like Pontiacs-I have owned many GTOs, Firebirds,Trans-Ams, Gran Prix's and Venturas over the years. But the fact is-they have been out of production for 34 years, and even back in the '70's-you could build a small or big-block Chevy with the same amount or more power for less money. It has nothing to do with loyalty-it's dollars and cents. Anyhow here's how I'd rank powerplants for your musclecar projects. # 1. This is a no-brainer. Like it or not-you have to go with a Small-Block Chevy. No other production engine has had the racing and commercial successes of the SBC. The basic 1955 design is still being used in NASCAR in 2013. Regardless of the buff magazines fascination with LS motors, GM Performance Parts is still selling "Old School" hi-performance small-blocks-the carburated ZZ4 350 and ZZ383 crate engines by the thousands. The widespread parts availablity and interchangeability make the Mouse motor the undisputed heavyweight champion when it comes to making big power for low bucks.  # 2. Big Block Chevy. These cost more to build than a small-block, but nothing makes power like a Rat. You can make 350 hp on junk gas with 8.5:1 compression and iron intake and exhaust manifolds. You can make 500 hp so easy-like the cliche'-like taking candy from a baby. 600hp? 700? 800? your only limited by your wallet and imagination. Yes, a Chrysler Hemi or Boss-Nine Ford can make as much or more power-at double or triple the cost. For sheer horsepower-per-dollar-nothing beats a big-block Chevy. # 3. 1965-79 Pontiac V8. Like the small-block Chevy-interchangeability is a big factor here. Pontiacs are externally identical from a 326 to a 455. And they make gobs of low-end and mid-range torque. The main thing about a 389+ inch Pontiac is less is more. Just like I said about the big-block Chevy-you can make 350 hp on junk gas with 8.5:1 compression and iron intake and exhaust manifolds. An aftermarket intake, cam and headers will get you 400+ hp pretty easily. 500+ hp-you'll need aftermarket heads like Kauffman or Edelbrocks but their readily available. These rank so high because the bang for buck ratio is exceptionally high-yes you can easily build a big Ford or Mopar to make more power-but not for anywhere near the same  money, with mostly stock or junkyard parts. # 4. 1963-78 Chrysler "B" and "RB" engines. While the Hemis may ruled NASCAR in the late '60's and early '70's, it was the wedge-style 383s and 440s that gave the Road Runner, Charger and Super Bee their street cred. Hemis were great on the dragstrip too-with slicks and 4.90:1 gears. But on the street with normal gearing like-3.23:1 or 3.55:1-a 440 4bbl would eat a Hemi's lunch. And that of many GTOs, Chevelles and Mustangs as well. The great advantage of these engines is interchangeability-the only thing you can't swap between "B" and "RB" engines is the intake manifold-the deck height is different. Other than a big-block Chevy-you won't build more power for less bucks than the big Mopar. # 5. 1967-2000 Small-block Mopar. Like the small-block Chevy-this basic design is still being used by Dodge racers in NASCAR today. Again- parts interchangeability is a big factor. You can use '92 and later "Magnum" heads on '67-91 blocks. ( You'll need a "Magnum" style intake, but Edelbrock has you covered.) 318s are ok in a really light car-i.e.-Dart / Duster-but for anything else you'll want a 360-which can be stroked to 410 cubes pretty easily. # 6. Small-block Ford. These have great parts interchabgeability and availability, but their only 289 / 302 inches. Or 351, if you lump in the 351W. Spare me the pictures and timeslips from your 11 second Fox-bodied Mustangs. Yes, these engines can make huge power-say 400+ hp very easily- but not for the same or less money than a Chevy, Mopar or Pontiac. Bang for the buck, remember?  And like it or not-small-block Fords have many different oil pans, flywheels, balancers, bellhousing bolt-patterns, fuel pumps, water pumps, etc that are very model-specific-a 302 out of a Maverick will have totally different external accessories than a 302 out of a Cougar or Mustang or pickup. Unlike a Chevy or Mopar or Pontiac-where you can play musical engines from many years and many models, and not even have to change a hose or belt. If you throw in the "Cleveland" engines, it gets messier. Yes, a 351W or 351C can make as much or more power than a 350 Chevy or 360 Mopar-but at a substantially higher dollar outlay. If your a Ford Fan, that's the lay of the land. Which brings up # 7. 1963-76 Ford "FE" engine. Yes, I know the 429 / 460 offers more bang for the buck, but chances are if your restoring a '60's Ford Fairlane, Galaxie, or even a '67-70 Mustang or Cougar-your going to be looking at a 390 or 428. Same deal- there is good aftermarket support-heads, cams, intakes, headers, etc-you can build a 390 or 428 that can give those arrogant 396 / 454 Chevelle, 400 /455 Trans-Am and 383 / 440 Road Runner drivers a surprise they won't soon forget. It'll just be expensive. # 8 1965-80 Olds V8. Regardless of the 442's fearsome '60s and '70s street rep- and the big Olds engine's great success in boat-racing-these rank low for three reasons-# 1.-they've been out of production since 1980 for the 350  and since 1976 for the 455. # 2. The big 455 was used in mostly-"Big Car" applications-you don't see many in a Cutlass that isn't a 442 or Hurst / Olds. Which means you'll have to scour junkyards and swap parts and engines laying in the dirt, if you can find them at all. # 3. There is fair aftermarket support-Edelbrock makes heads and intakes, Lunati and Comp Cams make cams, Hooker makes headers etc- but the parts are substantially more expensive for the Olds than they are for a Chevy or Ford or even a Pontiac. Not fair-but that's the market. Feel free to send in your rankings. Mastermind