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.

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.