Hey guys as you can see I am a new guy. I've been lurking around for about a year now reading everything i can. I'm looking for some input on my first complete build. I would like to learn from anyones mistakes. At this point I honestly can't afford to screw this one up. As I am a single Dad with 2 kids and not much time to go around.

.30 over 454
SRP .110 dome
eagle h-beams L19 rod bolts
eagle 4340 4.250 stroke
Edelbrock aluminum ovals 2.19 1.88 (decided 2.25 valve was too big for the bore)
EMI exhaust
chet herbert custom hyd. roller
.638" lift intake and exhaust
IVO 27 IVC 63
EVO 71 EVC 19
all measured @ 0.50" lift
850cfm holley 4150

I can't decide on an intake manifold. Looking at Victor Jr., Dart, Weind Team G, Weind Excelerator, Performer RPM???
Also I can't decide on a head gasket? I am using ARP head studs.

Does anyone see anything wrong with this combo? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Actually if it is .030 over 4.28 bore it is 489cid .060 4.31 bore is 496 but that doesnt really matter. Oval port victor junior is a good price and would work just fine. I would definately talk to RM Builder about the camshaft. He will custom grind the correct cam for the application and will give you expert advice. He is really cool to talk to. The cam is the "brains" of your engine and needs to be developed according to your engine parts and air flow. You can get one custom ground for less that $400 and it will probably be your best investment. I dont know if your cam specs are right for your application cause i'm no cam expert. You can do a search for RM Builder here on the forums and find his phone number. He owns Marine Kinetics and his real name is Bob. Have fun with the build.

Yeah sorry for the title of 496 people usually dont address the 489 as a "normal" engine. My apologies. And yes I may have jumped the gun on the cam but it was a good deal was ground for RJB Engine Development in CA for a build comparable to mine. Guess i better check into it farther before I assemble it. Unfortunately I am on a tight budget with this I am not looking for every ounce of power just around 450 or so with decent idle quality and RELIABILITY. Thanks for the info I'll see if I can get in touch with him.

I think you'll see better than 450. I guessed on airflow and CR. Do you know your airflow? I think it'll get better with your real numbers.

Flow numbers:

Intake Exhaust
.100" 74 cfm 71 cfm
.200 143 cfm 128 cfm
.300 208 cfm 153 cfm
.400 251 cfm 178 cfm
.500 284 cfm 200 cfm
.600 305 cfm 218 cfm

These are the flow numbers from Edelbrock anyways they should be close. I think the cam specs are entered incorrectly. I do not have seat to seat timing events on the cam card only @ 0.50" lift.

I will say though that that graph is damn strong! But I think it is way off. Unfortunately for me....

I put .638 lift at +10.

I guess the built in airflow for fully ported heads was pretty close.

I would surely expect 1hp/cu. You're spending a lot of money not to see that.

Oops, I had seat to seat on cam

Well most of these parts I already had for another engine I was building before the BOAT BUGG hit me. Been collecting parts for a year and a half. Any suggestions on the intake?