BluePrint BP3961CTC GM 396 SBC Dressed Engine, Alum Heads, Roller Cam

Stepping up in output from BluePrint's small-block lineup, this dressed engine makes 485 horsepower and 500 pound-feet on 10.4:1 compression, running a carburetor, with a forged rotating assembly in place of the cast components BluePrint uses on its milder builds.

Bottom end and top end

Forged steel carries both the crankshaft and the connecting rods here, paired with forged pistons, balanced together as an assembly, and sealed with Hastings moly rings. A Melling high-volume oil pump feeds a roller camshaft, and a heavy-duty, double-roller timing set drives long-slot, stamped-steel rockers. The performance aluminum cylinder heads use 2.02-inch, swirl-polished intake valves and 1.60-inch, swirl-polished exhaust valves, with hardened retainers and springs holding them closed, part number HP8103.

Induction and dress

A carburetor sits atop the aluminum intake manifold, fired by a distributor, with valve covers, a timing cover, and an oil pan already installed at the factory. Brass freeze plugs are fitted, and BluePrint ships dyno sheets documenting the power curve with every engine it builds, the same way it does across its longblocks. It's not intended for use in vehicles with pollution controls. Coverage terms are not stated for this particular build, so ask us to confirm what applies before you order one.

Is this a new engine? Yes, it's assembled new rather than reconditioned from a used core, and BluePrint dyno tests each one before it ships out.