[olddog]

Originally Posted by mdbound2005

Strongly leaning toward Superformance, but have not ruled out Backdraft

Backdraft has about a half foot longer wheel base. That might make it more comfortable for your knee issue. Sit in both. Purely on resale later, my gut feel is that Superformance may sell easier and for more. That's gut feel with no data to back it up. I just know I have seen several Superformance sell locally to me at good prices, and I have never seen a Backdraft for sale locally to me.

Originally Posted by mdbound2005

Due to a knee issue, I am unable to drive a manual transmission and have to stick with automatic transmission. Any advice on what automatic transmission you guys would recommend (for the few of you out there who drive with an automatic)?

This depends on the engine you install. If you are going to go with factory EFI the ECU controls the transmission shift points since 1988 give or take a year. Old school carbs and you are looking at the older C6, if memory serves. Of course block bolt pattern will matter too.

Originally Posted by mdbound2005

I’m looking to get a small block. This car will not be tracked and I just want it to be “streetable”. Safety is very important to me, but I don’t want to regret not having enough power either.

Understand that these cars were designed for racing in the 60's. Seat belts were not standard in factory cars in the early 60's. If safety is very important you should be looking at a new Corvette, or Mustang Cobra. It depends on your meaning of those words. These cars are not what I would call unsafe, but I doubt the manufactures are doing crash tests at all, and they certainly will not pass new car requirements

Originally Posted by mdbound2005

I’m considering a 306 versus 347. I think the 427 will be too much power for me unless you guys think otherwise?

I do not know what your limitations are physically, or reaction times or your age, so I do not understand your concerns here. I can tell you a bone stock 5.0 Windsor from the factory was a pathetic 225 hp. The 4.6 modular was anywhere from 220 to 320 hp give or take. I saw a 4.6 ltr 4 valve dual overhead cam engine advertised at 280 Hp in a FFR Cobra at a drag strip that never went under 14 seconds. A total dog.

Now with an automatic transmission you are either going to have to stay with a mild cam or go to a high stall speed torque converter. You are going to have less gears, and you are going to need good low end torque. I can tell you an aggressive cam and high stall speed torque converter is not a fun daily driver combination. I would recommend you look very hard at more cubic inches and milder cam engines. Something like a 351 W stroked up toward 400 cid. Good flowing heads with smaller ports and a milder cam. Something with stump pulling torque from off idle to somewhere north of 5000 rpm. Go for as flat a torque curve as you can get. Small cid high Hp radical engines can be gutless at low rpm and hit like a freight train at high rpm. Coming out of a corner the torque is all over the place depending on rpm. Takes a lot of skill to drive such an engine, and an automatic makes it worse.

Originally Posted by mdbound2005

Also, will the 306 or 347 be less loud as far is sidepipe noise? I’m hoping not to disrupt my wife and children (too much) when going for an early weekend morning ride.

Compression ratio and cam is more important than the cid. Again go with a mild larger displacement engine. The side pipes really kill the power the more you muffle down the sound. Another reason to build a larger displacement engine. The side pipes can easily rob your engine of a 100 hp if you are going for quieter pipes. Under car exhaust would work better. Also depending on you knee issues, side pipes burn a lot of flesh very quickly, so under car may be better for you, especially if safety is important.