Dave,
Here is a range for you to think about.
I ran these numbers with the DeuceCoupe Gonkulator computer which is a pretty good estimator. I assumed your big van weighs about 4500 lb, sound right?
Stock 292,
165hp or so:
19.39 at 66.1 1/4 mile seconds and mph
believe it or not this is faster than most of the early powerglide Novas of 62-63.
Stock 292 with 4bbl and headers and duals:
190hp
18.20 at 71.2
Your average v8 car of the 1950s ran about like this.
It is slow but liveable, you dont feel like you have to floor it at every light.
One of my many "rules of thumb" is that if your quarter mile gets a full second faster, it is a Different Car and will feel like it. So this gain fits that rule - as do the next ones.
Built 292, mild cam and work to cylinder head
280hp or so
16.65 at 79.1
My Pinto just out of college ran about like this.
None of the 924 Porches or Beemers would run against me, they knew they would lose.
Not enough?
How bout a TURBO?
I used the computer to "pluck" this turbo 292 out of Tom Lowe's El Camino, here is how it does in your big Van:
469hp
14.79 at 92.5
That will put the hurt to numerous GTO's and 409 Impalas. Not all, but some of them.
So that is a range of what to expect.
The van is HEAVY and pushes a lot of air too.
For example, if that last TURBO setup was in a Caprice instead, same weight but better aero, you'd run
14.15 at 100mph, 7 carlengths faster.
For non-turbo cars on the street, my own rule if, if you want it to run FAST, take the curb weight (4500) and divide by 10.
You need AT LEAST that many cubic inches (ie 454) or you will be fighting it all the way.
You decide!
