The nexus for this story was an old short-block we found in the back of the shop. After doing a little sleuthing, we determined it was the remnants of a GM ZZ4 crate engine. Now, we're pretty sure ...

Part 2: Continuing the quest to build a 300-hp small-block for $500 after initial dyno pulls showed that it was underpowered and over budget. From the August 1999 issue of HOT ROD magazine.

For this exercise, we have one of the most common, and most affordable, engines on the planet: a 350-inch Gen I small-block Chevy.

Chevrolet's venerable 350 cubic inch small-block V8 has been supplanted by the LS family of engines, but there are plenty of vendors that sell it in crate form.