In the last installment of our big-block build, CNC Motorsports in Brookings, South Dakota, assembled the top 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. A K1 Technologies 4.3875-inch stroker crank, 6.385-inch K1 connecting rods and 4.600-inch bore forged, JE pistons complete the rotating assembly. The compression ratio checks out at a pump-gas-friendly 10.66:1. With the bottom end complete, it was time to finish up the engine and get it on the dyno.

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 degrees duration at 0.050-inch lift, 0.647-inch total valve lift and a 112-degree lobe separation angle. The cam was mated to Lunati Street Performance lifters (PN 72331-16) and custom Trend Performance 1-piece, 3/8-inch pushrods made from 0.135-inch wall, 4130 chromoly steel. The pushrods were measured and ordered at 7.800-inch and 8.700-inch long.

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 intake 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 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. The combustion chamber size was measured at 117cc. The heads also feature manganese bronze guides and ductile iron valve seats.

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). The total valvetrain weight is 185.8 grams on the intake side and 156.4 grams on the exhaust.

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 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 AED custom Holley Dominator carburetor. Spark will be 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).

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. Massive torque, pump-gas-capacity, and an entirely useable powerband ensures two thing: a happy customer, and plenty of Smokey rubber.

See all 20 photos 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.

See all 20 photos The pockets were flycut for safe clearance.

See all 20 photos The Comp Cams custom hydraulic roller camshaft was lubricated and installed.

See all 20 photos The remainder of the Cloyes timing set is installed.

See all 20 photos The cam was dialed in with a 108-degree intake centerline.

See all 20 photos Camshaft endplay was checked.

See all 20 photos The Melling oil pump is installed.

See all 20 photos The Kevko pickup has a handy tab to help installation without damaging the tube.

See all 20 photos 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.

See all 20 photos Note how the pickup was protected with painter's tape, and that there is plenty of clearance.

See all 20 photos The ARP head studs and Fel-Pro head gaskets are installed.

See all 20 photos

See all 20 photos The assembled Brodix heads are positioned and torqued to 80 lb-ft in three steps: 30-60-80 lb-ft.

See all 20 photos The Lunati hydraulic roller lifters are lubricated before installation in their bores.

See all 20 photos The lifters and Trend pushrods are installed in the block

See all 20 photos The Lunati rocker arms are placed then installed with the proper preload. Next, the Brodix intake manifold is lowered into place.

See all 20 photos The Pro Race balancer slid onto the crank snout and pressed on using an installer tool.

See all 20 photos The completed engine with a March serpentine drive system is ready to take on the engine dyno.

See all 20 photos The 582ci pump gas BBC pulled a best of 800.5 horsepower at 6,200 rpm with peak torque of 739.5 lb-ft arriving at 5,000 rpm.