I threw a rod in my 350 on Friday the 13th... anyone ever rebuild a 455?

Hello all,

Completely unbusiness related question here.

I recently had what sounded like a box of wrenches thrown inside my engine. It is a time worn, less kick of the pants than I'd like anyway 350.

I have a 455 I own sitting in some guy's backyard. Problem is then I want forged this and new that.

Anyone ever rebuild a 455? I'm looking to go non-stock, so what are the first few things you would change around? Here's the basic setup I'm looking at...

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/116_0010_eng/

actually that's a setup that makes me drool. But I would like something of a buildup in that direction of power.

Only I'd rather spend less than $3000 for slightly lower numbers while they went with edelbrock heads, etc and topped out at $5,500 or so...

To start, I was thinking crank, pistons, and some head work. What else do I have to replace/change around in order to run it hard?

Application: street fun, occasional trips to the drag strip, groceries, scaring the neighbors.

To clarify... looking for a torque monster. 400+ lb-ft all over and 500+ at the peak. But nothing to go over 5,800-6,000 rpms.

Thanks,

Erik Lukas

P.S. I'm not going to rebuild the 350. I may be giving it to a friend with a Buick Regal who wants a little more than his 307, but it's not for me anymore. If I didn't go with the 455, I think I would get started on a 383, but a 455 is what I really want and I guess here's my chance to build it.