Pump Gas Monster: CNC Motorsports Builds a 582ci BBC (PT 2)

The big-block Chevy keeps getting bigger. Aftermarket blocks, dedicated stroker cranks, and array of piston sizes are pushing the good ol’ Rat to unprecedented stature–and horsepower.

In the last installment of our big-block build, CNC Motorsports in Brookings, South Dakota, assembled the bottom end of a 582ci low-deck big-block Chevy. As a quick refresher, the engine is based on a Dart Big M Sportsman block with a standard (9.800in) deck height. The reason for keeping the deck height as short as possible is the engine’s intended destination: under the hood of a ’57 Chevy pickup, where clearance is king.

**There was also plenty of valve-to-piston clearance as far as the lift; however, the large 2.350-inch intake valves in the Brodix heads came very close to the valve-pocket walls.**

**The pockets were flycut for safe clearance.**

A K1 Technologies 4.3875in stroker crank, 6.385in K1 connecting rods and 4.600in bore forged JE pistons complete the rotating assembly, and compression checks out at a pump-friendly 10.66:1. With the bottom end complete, it was time to finish up the engine and get it on the dyno.

**The Comp Cams custom hydraulic roller camshaft was lubricated and installed.**

**The remainder of the Cloyes timing set is installed.**

The first step was to install the camshaft. A hydraulic roller camshaft from Comp Cams with a custom, dual-profile grind was selected to maximize power and minimize maintenance. It came with the following specs: 254/262 @ .050 duration, .647-inch total valve lift, and 112 degrees lobe separation. The cam was mated to Lunati Street Performance lifters (PN 72331-16) and custom Trend Performance 1-piece, 3/8-inch pushrods made from .135in wall 4130 chromoly steel. The pushrods were measured and ordered at 7.800in and 8.700in long.

**The cam was dialed in with a 108-degree intake centerline.**

Spinning the cam is a Cloyes street billet roller timing set (PN 9-3510TX9). The 9-keyway crank sprocket allows versatile cam installation, and this cam was set with a 108-degree centerline. Protecting the timing set is a Comp Cams 2-piece billet aluminum cover (PN 212). Finishing up the short block is a 7-inch diameter Pro Race harmonic balancer (PN 34263).

**The Kevko pickup has a handy tab to help installation without damaging the tube.**

The Brodix oval-port heads (PN 2030002) feature 335cc intake ports. The intake valves are angled at 24 degrees with a 4-degree cant, and the exhaust is 15 and 4 degrees, respectively. Combustion chamber size was measured at 117cc. The heads also feature manganese bronze guides and ductile iron valve seats.

**CNC Motorsports checked the pan-to-pickup clearance by placing a dab of modeling clay on the pickup and positioning the Kevko pan on the block without the gaskets.**

**Note how the pickup was protected with painter’s tape, and that there is plenty of clearance.**

The heads were assembled with Ferrea 2.350-inch stainless steel intake valves (PN F1225P) and 1.880-inch exhaust valves (PN F6157). Both have 11/32-inch stems and are secured with Comp Cams 10-degree tool-steel retainers (PN 1731-16) and locks (PN 611-16). Total valvetrain weight is 185.8 grams on the intake side and 156.4 grams on the exhaust.

**The ARP head studs and Fel-Pro head gaskets are installed.**

**The assembled Brodix heads are positioned and torqued to 80 ft-lb in three steps: 30-60-80.**

CNC Motorsports opted for Comp Cams valve springs (PN 953-16) that were installed at a height of 1.850-inch with seat pressure of 170 pounds. Open pressure was 488 pounds at 1.203 inch. Finishing off the cylinder head assemblies were Comp Cams spring locators (4778-16), Comp Cams guide plates (PN 4806-8), ARP 7/16-inch rocker studs (PN 135-7101), and Lunati 1.7:1 aluminum roller rocker arms (PN 15350-16).

**The Lunati hydraulic roller lifters are lubricated before installation in their bores.**

**The lifters and Trend pushrods are installed in the block.**

**The Lunati rocker arms are placed then installed with the proper preload. Next, the Brodix intake manifold is lowered into place.**

The heads were installed using Fel Pro .390-inch thick steel wire-ring gaskets (PN 1057) and ARP head studs (PN 235-4702). The top end was completed with a Brodix intake manifold (BM2017-O), and an AED custom Holley Dominator carburetor. Spark is provided by MSD. Final beauty bling comes from the chrome CNC valve covers and a March Style Track CNC-machined aluminum serpentine accessory drive (PN 21255).

**The Pro Race balancer slid onto the crank snout and pressed on using an installer tool.**

**The completed engine with a March serpentine drive system is ready to take on the engine dyno.**

On the dyno, the engine topped out at 800.5 horsepower at 6,200 rpm, while a peak torque of 739.5 lb-ft arrived at 5,000 rpm. The engine delivered more than 600 lb-ft from 2,700 rpm well past the pull’s safety cutoff of 6,600 rpm.