[darrellchevelle]

Any info out there specifically on 428 build ups ? I am building a 4 speed 67
2 + 2 for some limited street mainly strip bracket racing.Looking for a proven combination maybe 450-500 hp would be nice. I would like to know what are the pitfalls and what factory parts can be used and shouldnt be used. I am starting with a 67 428 4 speed powertrain. I would like to get a 3800+lb car in the high 12's. I am a decent engine builder when it comes to chevys but am hoping you guys with the experience could provide some guidance or suggestions. I did buy the pontiac power book and its on the way.

Thanks Darrell,

[carguy66cars]

Hi Darrell, Might want to check out the Nov.-Dec., Jan.- Feb. Pontiac Enthusiast Mag as they did build up on 428. Lots of good info. on the parts to build 428. Back issues are avalible all you have to do is call and order.

[b777d]

You have come to the right place, I can guarantee you that somebody on here knows the answers to your ?s.

The guy who built my motor was mostly a Chevy guy so when I purchased a set of e heads and I knew we were going to use 1.65 rocker arms the mechanics on here knew to let me know about the push rod clearance on the heads and sure enough they had to be elongated.

With the help of this site I now have a 428 that screams.

If you want to do some reading try the search engine

[issach428]

well here is what i did to get my 428 into the 12.70's at 3800#. 69 428 bored .030+. stock rods shot peened with arp bolts, trw's with the small dish (pump gas). Ported 62's (bad porting job). comp cams hydrolic roller (could substitute a flat tappet cam) 1 3/4 headers, torker 2 intake, holley 850. TH400 with a 3200 stall with 3:73 rearend gears with 28 inch slicks. I was in the 12.70's range with this combo, i switched to E-heads and ran 11.80's. This was no doubt due to the bad porting job on the 62's.

[Skip Fix]

A buddy had a 428 short block in his 70 TA 4 speed around 3800 lbs. UD 288/296. First had RAIV heads and manifolds ran high 12s. Then swapped on plain jane #12s with swap meet headers cast iron intake still ran high 12s. Put it in a 69 Judge with 48s and ran high 12s but blew head gaslets-too much compression with the 48s for the gas he ran.

[GTOLIB]

click on my link below for my 428 ,going by track mph + weight, est hp 480,
the lower end is stock rods + trw pistons(dished -12 ) ,the heads are 67cc 10.8 to 1The aftermarket rods and piston avail now are a stronger and lighter then when I built this.
same motor with stock flowing heads and hyd cam 246/252 .050 .528 lift and the car weighted 3920 went 12.90-13.05 with a 4spd

[Probird]

First off get rid of the stock rods. In my opinion their not worth trying to reuse. Get Eagles or something of that type. Bore it to .030 over and get a good set of lightweight pistons. Everything else can be reused. Do a little portwork to the heads with roller rockers. Deck the block to bring the pistons up to a zero deck height. Put a small solid cam in it. I used a torker intake and an 800 holley but I'm sure an RPM with the 800 would probably work a little better. There are a lot of little tricks but these are the basics to get you where you want to be. It would be real easy to do with a set of aftermarket aluminum heads also.

[darrellchevelle]

I definately came to the right place ! Let me take a moment and decipher all the great info. I'm sure I'll have more questions but thanks a bunch for the help. I do have 1 question, how much of a power gain will headers produce over the factory type long branch manifolds like the ones sold on this site? I would love to go for the factory appearing look but will it get me the performance I am looking for ? You guys have to bear with me on my lack of knowledge with the Poncho stuff but with all the help I'll get there !

[b777d]

E heads are Edelbrock aluminum heads I purchased mine through Summit there about $1700.00 a set I believe they are 72cc and 87cc I went with the 72cc and happy I did.

Headers I purchased a set of Super comp Hooker headers they look and sound great but what a pain in the a&& to install but that was on a 71 Pont after doing some reading I noticed that a set of stock ram air exhaust manifolds would have done the job especially for the street.

[i82much]

Search for posts by or about "armadillo" he's got a pretty bad 428.

[goquick]

Welcome Darrellchevelle !

The absolute best advice I can think of is to follow what Jim Hand did exactly. Your 428 will respond the same way as his 455, although a degree or 2 of cam advance.
Here was my street 428;
I used to run a 428, .040" over, Speed Pro forged pistons with the dish (I didn't care for that!) Melling/Pontiac RAIV cam (bought it when gm was first closing them out and it was in a GM tube inside a Melling box!! ), advanced it a couple degrees, #16 heads with multi angle valve job with a 34 degree intake seat, 1.6 roller tip rocker arms, stock iron qjet intake (it out performed everything else at the time, but performer rpm's were not even thought of yet) 800 Thermoquad, stock recurved point distributor, Hedman 1 3/4" 4 tube hedders, 2 1/2" exhaust.
3.23 rear gears, Trans Specialties 2800 convertor, th400, 275/60-15 Kelly tires.
Shifted at 5600 rpm 1st to 2nd, 5400 rpm 2nd to 3rd.
Best was repeated serveral times but never quicker 12.33 @115.7 mph.
Car with me in it wieght 4030 lbs and half tank of gas.
Great money maker on the street as I even ran the painted valve covers. What a sweet combo that car was. Still miss it.

[darrellchevelle]

Thanks guys this is very helpful. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Have a good night .

[hectore3]

I am getting a 428 block and crank magged and pressure tested today. So I will be looking out for any buildup info myself.

[Armadillo]

DC,

You should have no problem getting into the high 12s with a 428. My theory is to get as stout as possible and then improve it. Cam is what I have noticed to be the big differance here with times. I am running a Comp XE 288 HR and love it. Kre heads at 310 CFM and allot of other stuff. From what I have heard is that with the bigger mains in the 428 you should have a 4 bolt main block if you build it up. Get the eagle rods so you have piece of mind, 6.8 rods work great. Machine the crank to match the rods. Have it balanced from front to pressure plate. Get the pistons from Pontiac Dude. Don't know where you are located but also try to get with some of the racers in your area.

Your biggest problem will be getting traction with it.

Have fun.

Tom

[darrellchevelle]

Thanks again guys this is all helpful. I see you guys dont play when it comes to the the Poncho's and making power. I love the input. I'm a sponge just soaking it all up. I'll keep everyone posted on my plan and how it turns out. I'm pulling the motor this week and will begin the teardown. On a side note It's gonna feel good to build something other than small and BBc's. I built one for my 70 SS 396. Full roller 468 w/merlins. Tried to go for factory appearing sleeper look but as soon as it starts I'm sure the gig is up ! I built the motor to dip in the 11's with the help of slicks. I'm going for the same concept with my 67 2+2 4spd car but 12's for now and i'm happy.

[TTAJay]

Hi Darrell, nice to see you on this board too! Just in case you don't know I go by "The Lot Lizard" on Albanyunderground.net. I'm glad to see your doing a build up on your Poncho. Nice car. Let me know if there's anything I can help you out with since I'm local to you.