Parts List for a 480hp SBC (Flat Tappet Budget Build)

A Basic parts break down of the 480Hp Dingle ball SBC 355. Started off as a trade-in engine and turned into a decent budget engine. Check the Links Below!
Dingle Ball 355 Dyno
• 480+Hp from a Budget 3...
Comment Below with any questions!
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Pistons
www.amazon.com/Hypereutectic-...
Ball Hone
www.amazon.com/Research-FLEX-...
Intake
www.amazon.com/Premium-Manifo...
Summit Cam
www.summitracing.com/parts/su...
Valve Springs
www.summitracing.com/parts/su...
Lifters
www.amazon.com/Howards-Cams-9...
HEI Distributor
www.amazon.com/MAS-Distributo...
Spark Plugs
www.amazon.com/Corvette-Spark...
Rocker Arms 1.6
www.kmjperformance.com/i-3161...
ARP rod bolts
www.amazon.com/ARP-Chevy-305-...
Valve Covers
www.amazon.com/Proform-141-13...
Head gasket
www.amazon.com/Fel-Pro-1094-C...

[@itseithergonnaworkoritaint7852]

Sell it, make a profit, build another one. You have the recipe.🤷😎👍

[@AccuSol-ERN]

I remember articles in the 90s magazines about the magical 500hp chevy 350........congrats on doing it on the cheap. This would have made an outstanding "king of highschool" engine build back in the day. I would love to see this engine with AFR enforcer or similar budget head.

[@robertmorris8259]

Nice build 491hp,355,flat top trw,solid flat tappet bullet cam ,Motown 220 ,pump gas,2 bolt block

[@docsmallblock6584]

That's actually really good power for what ya got going on there, cheap! As far as having some respectable horsepower on the street that's really cheap! With some decent aluminum heads on their you could easily make over 500hp! And if you don't know, 500hp on the street is a whole lotta fun! Even 400hp on the street is a lot of fun. Nice job on this little 355!

[@rudyjhughes]

Best channel

[@cuttersperformance]

Definitely not but I really appreciate that! 🤘🏻

[@itaintez2367]

You’re knocking it out of the park!

[@bobvomhof5699]

Man I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. It’s so rare to find someone nowadays that really know their trade, it’s even harder to find someone willing to share that with others. Thanks again man, your videos are why I decided to go vortec in my camaro.

[@cuttersperformance]

Thank you, I appreciate the support 🙏

[@jacobgibson8539]

Bring on the goodness dude!🏁

[@steelcitycaprice.899]

Budget friendly power for real.👍🏽😎🏁🏁🏁

[@cuttersperformance]

Gotta love them!

[@my357mags]

Nice little motor! 👍

[@55Dag]

As always excellent vid. Your content is definitely a big help to the DIY garage guy.

[@floridaroadracerguy]

When you mentioned the cam break in with 1.5 rockers I wondered if there was an even lower ratio for the SBC and sure enough they make a 1.3 "break in rocker". I'll be getting a set of those for my next flat tappet cam install. 🔧

[@cuttersperformance]

Yep! Howards 1.3 beak in rockers

[@chadsmith1092]

No tire would be safe! As I sit here with a shit eating grin thinking of the sweet, frothy burnouts I would do if I had this on my s-10. 😎. Killer little mouse👍

[@timmygun1]

Great numbers. Awesome info as usual. I've got 3 blocks I didn't know what to do with. Now I do

[@charlesgraham9954]

loved the video. 480 will be fun on the street.

[@2HacksGarage]

Pretty awesome engine 🏁🏁

[@cuttersperformance]

🤘🏻🏁

[@primalpassions9138]

Can wait for the pop up pistons and solid cam video !!!

[@docsmallblock6584]

Any more than the 11.1 compression they got going on here and you're getting out of a pump gas engine and more into race car engine.

[@mattkurtz8549]

Impressive as hell cutter. I was going to go ls but. . . . I think ill pull my old 350 stroke it and do your top end package!

[@scottbrooklyn2995]

The Grand Prix would be a killer idea

[@billbraski2175]

Good stuff

[@TheRocco28]

Excellent video as always Pat. The only thing that I think that you could do to improve it would be to quote the total Canadian price at the end of the video. Then I can make sure that I’m sitting down to hear the bad news.

[@timmygun1]

Hey Pat did you have to change push rods? Lol nevermind I missed that part of video. Got it. Nice engine man for sure. Love your vids

[@jacksonthebarker2339]

building a s10 currently going to go with this for a baseline for the 350 which i got junkyard heads for 50 bucks on a all you can carry day so im going for budget build

[@DynoDave43]

I hope you will post your progress on your Firebird on TGO.

[@jeremyrichardson3513]

Love your videos thanks for thinking of the non rich people lol

[@cuttersperformance]

Im just a blue collar, non rich too 🤘🏻🏁 i appreciate the support

[@tommycook9620]

Hell yea NICE IAM wanting to build something very similar for my sbc ,i have a set of patriot freedom heads aluminum, got them super cheap i heard they are like the vortec heads but better ,wanting to port them , then pick cam says they can hold up to 600 lift lol not sure

[@deuceman32]

Excellent content. Thanks for the rundown. I would love to see some experience with the Skip White NKB's; their sales pitch is compelling; it would be great to have some objective observations.

[@cuttersperformance]

I have a brand set sitting on sitting on the bench right now

[@of_lion22]

@@cuttersperformance If I remember right, it's the same casting as the Amazon heads you flowed, the "AFR Enforcer"/DNA/ProHeader Chinese casting with 11/32" valve guides. Is that what you're seeing when you look at them, Pat? Hope they're different, more data on the options out there is always awesome.

[@gordocarbo]

have 2 similar sets 1 stock flowed ,1 ported/flowed. Dont trust sellers with long sales pitches...its import stuff at the end of the day

[@johndishong5083]

Well summit doesn't sell those rockers anymore probably for good reason. Scorpions are probably a more reliable option.Thanks for the update.

[@cuttersperformance]

Did they sell them at one point? I dont know much about them but get asked about them a lot. They seem better then some cheaper rockers I've seen

[@docsmallblock6584]

​​@@cuttersperformanceI've had a set of their stainless steel roller rockers on a 350 for a few years now, no problems whatsoever.

[@gordocarbo]

Look like the old proform cheapies. Leraned my lesson the hard way on "budget" valvetrain stuf. No way...save and get some good ones. Used on a hft baby sbc cam (isky 280) if they cant handle minimal seat presure for 200 miles then...ticking time bomb . Some roll the dice and claim victory but my $ doesnt come easy

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

Really concerned with my current build, it was in a 62 C10 I bought 'just rebuilt" wiped a couple cam lobes. Machine shop did the eye roll when I said I'd still run a flat tappet cam because they jacked the heads up so bad with a poor threaded stud job and that caused the issue, one actually fell out of the head from not being tapped enough. Several others were close. I have Brodix heads for it now...just not locked in on the flat tappet now and considering retro roller..

[@baims8367]

If you deck the block you can get away with using a 6” rod and a piston from 383 😉. It’s a real short light piston to ..

[@the_langss]

Thanks for the Video...Amazon says the Pistons are no longer available. Can you recommend a different Piston, or Brand Thanks in advance.

[@chadadececco]

Cool as usual Pat! 😎 👌 I can't help but notice the LS teaser under the plastic? Whats the plan for that? Thanks for all the videos!

[@cuttersperformance]

Haha I was hoping someone would notice! Its a 383 Stroker LS!

[@andyherring8416]

To everyone in the comments notice he is NOT using flat top pistons. This engine in this video is using a mild / small pop up 11:1 pistons and its for good reason. Compression is our friend when it comes to HP well to an extent. Application specific street or race basically how do you plan on using your engine rpm wise ?

[@mikkokuorttinen3113]

Thank you Pat! I truly like it that you keep pushing these old small block chevy's, while many are so much into LS. I'd love to see you make a build using the Chevy's aluminum 113 castings! Would this be possible? Btw, who's playing the guitar in the video?

[@cuttersperformance]

Thanks man, appreciate that. It would be hard to get a set of 113s to this level but would be interesting to try. The guitar is just royalty free music off the mac software

[@gordocarbo]

@@cuttersperformance Those, if you can find them suck dont waste your time . You have to put a TON of time and $ (seats larger valves) to get them to do anything.

[@LiveChrist365]

Isky Anti-Pump-Up Hydraulic Lifters 202HY - lifters are the best IMO

[@anthonypaules7893]

The definition of budget has really changed these days.

[@cuttersperformance]

Would you not consider this a budget build?

[@frozeninalbertachrvala2051]

Love all the vortec vids. Been using your tips on the porting. What did you do for the shipping to Canada for the rocker arms from kmj

[@cuttersperformance]

You can buy them off ebay

[@zAvAvAz]

All of you 'porters' keep in mind that blowing through all you need to do is be too thin, you do not actually need to see the other side. Coolant shall transfer to the other side through iron because it is hot and condenses straight through it as if a hole were there.

[@cuttersperformance]

You can hear the pitch change when porting and it gets thin. I will often sonic test if im worried

[@zAvAvAz]

cool thanks for the response, just for anyone starting out you know reading this stuff. Thanks a ton You help us all and make this fun.@@cuttersperformance

[@95Sn95]

When you say ported are you saying work on the bowls ,pockets, guide bosses and port matching or so or did you go full out modifying the runners?

[@1996slamster]

And of course another great video. 35 degrees total, but what did you set you're initial at and what kind of cylinder pressure did you end up with?

[@cuttersperformance]

You dont really worry about the initial on the dyno as it's basically at full advance when the pull starts. If I were to set this up on the streets. I probably start around 20 ish initial with 5 to 10 deg of vac advance and 35 total. I will have to check my notes on cranking compression, but I believe it was around 185

[@Anarchy-Is-Liberty]

Dingleberry parts list! ROFL!! I just purchased those Howards lifters (91112), and hell no!!! Those things looked like something that came straight out of Satans Workshop!! Instant failure waiting to happen!! Just, NO WAY!!! I've got a set of Isky HY202 lifters, and they are much better, although I'm not totally impressed with those either! Going to buy a set from a local company (in the US) who machines their own for stock/super stock drag racers.

[@cuttersperformance]

*Dingle Ball parts list* lol

[@Anarchy-Is-Liberty]

​@@cuttersperformance I know, the new nickname for dingle ball honing is dingleberry honing, started by Daniel over at @powellmachineinc3179, at least he's the guy I first heard it from! I thought it was funny, so that's what I call it now. ha ha ha

[@peteloomis8456]

Check out Trend performance that makes some excellent valve train components that a lot of top fuel engine builders use as well as the outlaw sprint car engine builders . They make custom push rods & cam shafts and were the first to build & use what's called the spin tron to watch the valve train at high rpm in slow motion to see what the valve springs & valves as well as push rods were doing to design and make better valve train parts . They also sell cam shafts and lifters for the more common older V8 engines so look into them if your looking for really good valve train parts . Also look into Elgin stainless steel full Roller rockers for SBC because they are built very well for the money compared to even the comp cams stuff now for less money .

[@billymitchell4722]

Do you have a recommendation for a hydraulic cam that may make similar HP/TQ with more vacuum? Thx

[@brentonk461ismylostaccount]

Definitely do a dyno test with out of the box nkb heads or Dart 200cc pro-1 or other Dart copy head as a comparison. But I can already tell you the over priced AFR enforcers will make the most power out of those.

[@gordocarbo]

3 of those heads mentioned are pretty much the same. Thinner valve stems helps some with weight but flow not so much

[@gordocarbo]

Enforcers are overpriced? DIrt cheap for what youre getting. Id spend on the Dart american heads ported both and there is a difference

[@marc-antoinecharron3421]

Hey Cutters, quick question. Do you remember the exact piston to head clearances? Im running pretty much the same build but with a 15 thou taller piston than yours. Thanks alot !

[@robbyschir5758]

Can you speak to the quality of summit brand sbc crankshafts and rods? Where I live it’s cheaper to buy new rods than to get the stock ones resized. Thanks for the great information!

[@cuttersperformance]

Unfortunately, i haven't used their cranks or rods. Maybe I will have to try them. I've used several sets of their pistons with good results

[@p.b.sHUNTING]

Stock l31 block and heads…. I’m searching for a cam for my father son project and wanted to run a new piston to hump the compression up…. Curious if those pistons would be an issue on a lower lift cam under .510 lift).

[@baims8367]

Great vid Pat with great info I’d like to get in touch with ya.

[@cuttersperformance]

[e-mail]

[@yeahididit9054]

That’s awesome a build 👍🏼 I’m gonna pass on the flat tappet camshaft though. They are hit and miss nowadays and for piece of mind I’m gonna stay with OE roller step nose. 108 overlap with a 248@50 is little too big for me in a street car but I bet she chops 😂

[@cuttersperformance]

Yeah she sounds awesome lol keep an eye out for the upcoming Dingle ball 2.0. Its 10:1 vortec heaeded 355 with 108 LSA roller cam

[@yeahididit9054]

@@cuttersperformance aren’t you a machinist by trade? How much for a set of vortec reworked with decent springs out the door? With trade in or without a core ?

[@davidtrue8956]

Look at the assault KMJ heads for aluminum heads they make a really nice affordable head

[@cuttersperformance]

Just got a set in!

[@jimbaker2698]

?? Really good info ,thanks,,,,??what type of rear end do u use in that 3rd gen firebird? Do they hold up to most of your 480 hp budget builds with that torque?

[@cuttersperformance]

I'm running a borg warner 9 bolt. Was running a supercharged 383 ran mid to low 11s. Now the car is going turbo

[@timleonard86]

Any idea how a set of ported vortecs stand up against out of the box flotek heads

[@user-rg2bw8cd5f]

Great video question on your heads are they 64cc and plus on that summit cam#1205 you didn’t run into any problems with valve to piston clearance issues because of the lift 510 int/518 ext. just curious cause I hv a LT1 style sbc in my 74 Corvette right now.

[@cuttersperformance]

Tons of valve to piston clearance with the 1205 cam

[@mfbrayan6532]

If i dont wanna go the route of carb what intake should i hold with

[@smilsmff]

afr cnc 185cc, heads or 195 .and a hydraulic roller camshaft

[@jamesvaughn4747]

I'm considering a twin turbo 355 vortec head set up any recommendations

[@colinjohnson7663]

Great build, do you think that intake manifold would fit under a stock hood? I have an 81 Gbody. I guess we can also wait to see if it fits in your buddy's Grand Prix!

[@cuttersperformance]

I dont think it will clear without a cowl

[@gordocarbo]

7530 Weiand Team G...or EPS edelbrock wtih a drop base air cleaner may work.

[@timmygun1]

Raffle it off. 10dollar tickets

[@cameracamera1319]

Thank you. What are you doing for fuel pump? Block driven or electric?

[@cuttersperformance]

It was electric on the dyno

[@gordocarbo]

mech pump will work just fine.

[@randylenz254]

A lot of circle track guys run the vortecs, most I'd say. I'd be curious of the h.p. drop off for that engine with a 500 cfm 4412 on it.

[@cuttersperformance]

That would be an interesting test

[@randylenz254]

Slap a 2 barrel on her and bolt it back up! Lol. ​@@cuttersperformance

[@danielfigueroa4725]

So it's making about 380 rwhp not bad maybe an edelbrock airgap would make more power

[@garykirby7123]

Hi Pat, Do you think I could use that Summit spring kit on a set of DNA heads, as long as i use a spring locater.

[@cuttersperformance]

Yeah you could, might just have to use a different valve seal

[@garykirby7123]

@@cuttersperformance Thanks Pat, and thanks for all the great videos.

[@msh6865]

Pat, you did say in the comments section of a previous video that you dyno'd this engine with a Summit stage II hyd roller cam, correct?

[@cuttersperformance]

That was another engine. The "KZbin 355"

[@msh6865]

@@cuttersperformance yup, now I remember. You've got too many great budget builds going on! 👍

[@cuttersperformance]

@@msh6865 bunch more in the works!

[@brentonk461ismylostaccount]

A change too a solid lifter cam should pickup some torque and maybe a bit more power no other changes

[@gearhead7896]

Those are the same pistons I was thinking about using to get the higher static compression. IIRC it's the 1970 LT1 350 replacement pistons. What was your thought process on using the 240 grit instead of the 320?

[@cuttersperformance]

Yeah exactly what they are. The ole "pop up" lt1 pistons. I find a 240 grit ball hone gives you a similar cross hatch as a 300+ grit abrasive hone

[@gearhead7896]

@@cuttersperformance I just honed a .060" over 350 with the same hone because I was cheap (first short block I'm building). The 320 grit was $30 more. It's not a must but I wish that piston came with the thinner ring pack for the same price. You'd get 8-10 more hp with it.

[@jeffallen3382]

I up voted the review you left on summit for that camshaft.

[@cuttersperformance]

😄🤘🏻

[@Adamdub612]

how much did it cost to build? i would love to buy this motor!?!!!

[@WTFAUTO]

man i need to buy something to throw that engine into, like that 4spd 2nd gen i sent you lol

[@cuttersperformance]

Yeah that would be perfect

[@timleonard86]

What lifter pt# do you recommend for factory roller?

[@cuttersperformance]

Summit Part# HT217-16

[@patrickwendling6759]

Thank you for your knowledge and video's USA 🇺🇸 TRUMP

[@AccuSol-ERN]

If you ran an electric waterpump on the dyno do you think it would have cracked 500hp?

[@cuttersperformance]

They are worth 4 to 7 HP

[@carlzalesski2975]

I always enjoy your videos but if you state in the video title more power than expected please show the numbers in that video not link to another

[@cuttersperformance]

Are you talking about the KZbin Short I posted about this engine?

[@pizzandoughnutspage7817]

I’ve heard stuff about those cheap rockers spitting out needle bearings and frying engines.

[@cuttersperformance]

I've heard that too but couldn't find any actual write-up or pics of failures on one of these KMJ rockers

[@gordocarbo]

@@cuttersperformance Had a set of look alike Proforms that puked in no time flat...Isky 280 mega cam DIdnt even get 300 miles out of em. Small fulcrum crap quality. Myfault for thinking cheap would be ok at the time Crower or JEsel these days will wait and save. lol

[@ethism_14w21]

i have the same springs from summit but mine are 490 max lift. haven't cut the guides down or anything. recently put a Howards 480/488 cam in the truck. I'm wondering if the 490 max springs are enough? I don't want to deal with valve float issues. what springs would you recommend ? thanks

[@cuttersperformance]

You must have the sum-174001 which around around 105lbs on the seat and good for .490 lift. This is on a vortec head? Did you check retainer to seal clearance?

[@ethism_14w21]

@@cuttersperformance yes there vortec heads. when i built the engine for my truck i didn't know to check for retainer to seal clearance sense it was my first time for everything. but watching some of your videos I'm nervous about running the springs in it now. haven't seen anyone run my type of springs with a cam like mine on the same head . And now I'm not even sure there strong enough since everyone runs stronger springs with cams similar to mine

[@cuttersperformance]

@ethism_14w21 has the engine ran yet? If not, dont start it until you check the retainer to seal clearance. Id be more worried about that than floating the valve with those springs. Im assuming its a flat tappet?

[@cuttersperformance]

This video should be able to help you determine what clearance you have. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn-5iWaNYrB7ipI

[@ethism_14w21]

@@cuttersperformance yes flat tappet. It’s hard to tell the exact amount of clearance I have valve to seal with the inner spring inside of it. But by looking at some of the valves that’s are all the way open and spring all the way compressed with this cam it looks like there’s enough room. More than .50 thousands

[@terrysmith8133]

do you know what kind of difference the 1.6 rockers make over the 1.5 rockers on this engine?

[@cuttersperformance]

unfortunately, I did not try 1.5 rockers on this engine

[@johnjon6349]

454 vortec build ???

[@curtisdanielsforservice4131]

I want to use the vortec head on my small block 400 can I do that and drill the steam holes

[@cuttersperformance]

Yeah you can, i actually have a 406 vortec build coming up

[@xmo552]

@@cuttersperformance Ooh nice. Waiting for that one.

[@flinch622]

That 1205 cam went up 23%... the $130 price [at 2:14] can't be from one month ago? Or are core shortages that big a problem? Are we really entering a 276% [annuitized] rate of inflation?

[@vestal2245]

What was max torque?

[@cuttersperformance]

Check out the dyno video kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZLPZ6djiM6bmLssi=EFvcjb40-xqf5Zcr

[@Brian-gx7yx]

If you did sell it, what would the price be?

[@cuttersperformance]

Not sure what Id let it go for

[@joanfrellburg4901]

Can't run pump gas and can't have power brakes but still useful for other things.

[@cuttersperformance]

It was dynoed on pump gas

[@joanfrellburg4901]

@@cuttersperformance Must be some good gas in your area, or you're retarding the timing. 11 to 1 is a lot of squeeze.

[@cuttersperformance]

94 octane pump gas at 35 deg total, no sign of detonation on the plugs

[@xmo552]

@@cuttersperformance I have been considering swapping in a stronger SBC in my squarebody hauler/ tow rig. She has stock 200ish HP engine dialed and tuned perfecto, but there's no way she will tow up the hills around me. I'm wondering if your build can be made to work with power brakes and still get decent MPG.

[@jeremyrichardson3513]

Don't run vacuum breaks so I'm good

[@dyoutubechannel8218]

Don't want to get to 500 hp before selling? Electric waterpump...;)

[@cuttersperformance]

Haha maybe thats why its not for sale 😅

[@gordocarbo]

Wont crack 5 with the water pump (elec)

[@FloridaBoyMike305]

I can’t find your ig boss

[@cuttersperformance]

Search Cutter_performance

[@clarkgarber5495]

Why does the word parts have an apostrophe?

[@cuttersperformance]

It doesn't 😉

[@ICONBADGTA]

Why not just run a 3.5" stroke crank vs 3.48 to get the piston .020 higher up to the deck?!? Should leave you .005 in hole then.

[@cuttersperformance]

You could if the budget allows

[@ICONBADGTA]

@@cuttersperformanceHardly any difference price wise going from 3.48 to 3.5" stroke cranks... Even 1pc seal ones also. David Vizard (HATES) the 1pc seal stuff, did a hang out and he said they're a turd...

[@gordocarbo]

To say it isnt a budget engine cause it wont run on 87...get real If you cant afford to buy gasoline forget about owning a car. Diff between a tank of premium and 87 piss is nothing. Or do a 9:1 engine and enjoy a stock slug.

[@cuttersperformance]

Agreed, to make decent hp per Cubic inch, you need 91 minimum

[@GMC4240]

@@cuttersperformanceno 94 in my area, I’m considering a similair build. Would this work on 91? Or is there a similar summit cam that would help the dynamic be capable of running 91 with still keeping the 11:1 static?

[@kennethhetrick5458]

Sell merch and do a giveaway...

[@bdd1469]

I don't consider any flat tappet engine a budget build until it has at least 10,000 miles on it to see if the cam and lifters fail. I also don't consider an 11-1 iron head motor a budget build as it's either going to require premium fuel or retarded timing.

[@cuttersperformance]

Dynoed on 94 octane pump gas and 35 deg total (no signs of detonation). The dingle ball 2.0 might be more up your alley, its 10:1 with howards roller cam (higher budget obviously) will be Dynoed soon

[@gordocarbo]

Tank of premium vs midgrade is ?? not much. Who runs a performance engine on 87?