I think the 454 was a badass choice. Should be able to get plenty of power, and will sound like a beast.

 

454 is gonna be to heavy and you're gonna have to beef up the front end for more weight.....

 

Want power without the big expense?

Id go with a 327....
Put on a set of Camel hump heads, it has (190/202 valves) stock.
Performer intake.with a holly 750 dbl pumper..set of headers and 411 gears...and youll be burn'n rubber in no time..not to mention turning mid 12's in the quarter mile!...
Doesnt get any cheaper! and lets not forget the reputable reliability!
of a Chevrolet! Most bang for your bucks in my opinion!

 

^^^ This ^^^

Swapping a big block in place of where a small block once was will require a lot of additional work - and money. IMO this is one of those times where bigger isn't always better. I had a small block 383 stroker in a couple different cars (a '75 Monza & '72 Vega wagon) and (in street trim) it would pull down mid 12s all day long. If I uncorked the headers and put cheater slicks on it would drop me into the low 12s. Both cars put many a big block powered car to shame on the street and the track. Granted, the Monte is going to weigh a bit more, but with correct parts matching and a little practice on the tree there's no reason you shouldn't be able to break into the 12s. Just remember that the faster you go the more safety equipment (drive line loops, roll bar, emergency shut off, etc) will be required depending on the rules the track you frequent enforces.

 

Aren't 327s notorious for Cam failures?

 

Not that Im aware of mike...
Generally if there is an issue with the cams..it boils down to poor maintenance...Usually excessive abuse followed oil breakdown....(Not changeing it at regular intervals).. Me personally...I never had a cam failure on any of mine...even after I threw 1.5 roller rocker arms on it!
For example, My 1965 Impala SS came with a 327...That Just rocked!
and I did those same mods to the SS as I have recommended here...
without any failures...except 1..I blew the trans and immediately had it rebuilt and went rigt back to raceing it!..But the trans went after 85,000 miles on it. Both street racing and racing at the strip...
But Thanks for asking Mike!

 

Ahh, I was confused. I believe I'm thinking of the 302 that GM made for the Camaro Z28 to run in the Trans Am series

 

Any thoughts on a stocker motor and drivetrain from a Buick GN for your Monte? with a little mods can propel you to the 10s on pump gas and Meth

 

Yeah,i have thought of a GN swap.. but its HARD to find a GN wrecked thats halfway slavageable.

 

go to this site turbobuick.com or turbobuicks.com you'll find motors and tranny for sale reasonably a mild modded one will take u high 11s or low 12s a friend of mine achieved 9.80s @ 137 last week stock block 70 hair dryer with forged internals on 93 octane with Alky, it's crazy! His car has full options with working A/C.

BTW, what State are u from? if you're close to NJ i'll let u copy cat my set up from A to Z lots of room under the hood