What would be the default build for a 450HP 360? Trying to keep the stock bottom end. Can this be done with heads intake cam etc? Never built an engine before and I'm looking for very low 13s to high 12s in my Land Yacht (79 Doba) I'm swapping in an 8 3/4 with 3:91s. Just looking for Ideas and where to start. A buddy is giving me a set of magnum heads. I was thinking Heads, a mild cam, air gap intake, 670 holley, headers, and maybe a little spray would get me somewhat near my goal. I know Cordobas are heavy but from what I've heard 79s are the lightest and mine is a stripper. Its even radio delete. What do you guys think? I'm on a budget and I really dont want to touch the bottom end because if I go that far I might as well get a stroker kit and go that route.

I ran a 12.00 in my 3900# B'cuda 10.5to 1. I had heads ported by hughes engines the cam had 263/268 duration @50from hughes .They make GREAT cams 4.30 gears and an 800 cfm holly D/P and a 3800-4200 stall . i also ran loose rod bearings clearence .0027-.0030 ran great for many yrs.If you want ill get the specs of the cam for you,it was very streetable.

It's doable. I got low 12's from a pump gas .030 over 360, stock J heads and a hyd cam. It had a stock bottom (had it balanced) 750 Holley, Strip Dominator, MSD ignition, 1 5/8 headers w/mufflers in a 3100# F-body. 999 T-Flite with a T/A manual valve body and a Dynamic 3500 converter. 9" slicks 26" tall through a 8 3/4, spool 4.56's S/S springs/snubber.

My idea of "stock bottom end" is NOT replacing pistons, rods, etc. - taking a production short block and installing a cam, heads, intake, etc. Given that, the compression ratio of the stock pistons would be the limiting factor. IMO your best bet would be putting a mild (hydraulic roller) cam, ported/decked heads, headers, and a carb intake on a 360 Magnum short block.

OK, you also mention NOS - by the time you buy the kit you could have bought decent pistons, and not have to keep buying NOS refills.

Best bang for the buck? 360 Magnum longblock (preferred 100K or less), better cam and valvesprings, carb and intake, headers, and a 125 shot.

I've been 10.16 with an MP 360 shortblock, stock crank, rods and hyper pistons. Raced it for 15 years, it's still together. I pulled it when I built the 408 shortblock with a lot of good parts, it lasted for 12 passes.

Power is all in the heads, induction and cam.

I may just freshen it and put it back together.

You will need to watch you valve to piston clearance with a truly stock bottom end. I doubt a Hughes 6368 would clear without valve reliefs. It might,but it will be close.
Also the heads will need work to get that much lift before the retainer/ valve guide clearance becomes an issue.
400 hp naturally aspirated is do able. 450 is going to be hard to do because of the above.
Getting the cam right for the rpm range you will run it in,and decent heads are the important factors for a low compression deal to work. You would be better off trying to optimize midrange torque than going for high rpm power with a stock short block.
Keith

I'd do stock bottom end, thin mP head gaskets, magnum heads w/stock rockers (that combo should yield @9:1 compression) with hughes #1110 springs and 2.2L retainers, comp cams 270H, RPM air gap, and headers. you'll probably want a 2500RPM converter should get you into the mid 13's easily...I'd wager it'd be close to the old 380HP crate motor power wise