Hi folks, Couple of quick questions. I have a couple of nice older 4 bolt 350 blocks ready yo build.One is from an '80 Z28 and the other is from an 86 truck. the truck block is a high nickle block.

Question #1 Which block to use? My choice the truck block.

Now the big question....

Given the fact that 383 is "passé' ...What would you suggest as a stroker engine? ..and what bore andcomponents would you use?

Like most I'm looking for the biggest(huge)bang for the buck.

give it some thought and let it rip.

Cheers and thanks

 

I agree on the truck engine.

Ya might contemplate....
shorter throw crank and longer rods for a faster wind.
Bore to 30 over and cam the heck out of her.

Just a thought there Bro.

 

Hey blueshark, the '80 block is no doubt a two-piece rear main seal, the '86 may be either two-piece or one piece as that was the year that chevy was changing over. I've had no trouble with two piece seal blocks but you probably want to go with the one piece. The big advantage to the high nickel content is that the bore will polish better and provide a better and longer ring seal. As for displacement, most factory blocks wont handle more than .060 in. bore enlargement so your limited in that area for increasing cu.in. It depends on what your after when it comes to stroke, you can get 3.75 cranks at good prices and use either 5.7 in. or 6.00 in. rods with very little machine work needed. If you get much more drastic than that the price rises pretty quickly for parts and shop work.

 

If I do it I will be doing everything myself with exception to the over boring and crank and cam line boring. The assembly and clearance grinding I will do my self. That should keep Machine shop cost low.Cleaning and all boring with cam bearings installed is around 200.00. I can get a nice set of "done" double hump heads from the same shop for about 300.00. I figure I'm willing to spend some where around 2-2500.00 total cost. Not real worried about shiny stuff just good parts. What can I do for that. Never built a SBC.

I really don't have the money right now or anything to put it in but that should change in a month or two. Just doin' some "home work". I've been looking for a '96-'99 Montecarlo to change over to real wheel drive with a 6 speed. Should be a fun project. I'd do it with a big block, but I think there would be toooo much reconstruction in the engine box. I still have to finish the LS4 C3 as well. Thanks for the replies guys, Keep 'em coming.

Cheers

 

Sounds like a great deal on the heads.

I'm sure ya know about this, but for the bennifit for others,....
concider porting and polishing. Relieving is a little tricky if ya never done it. The head shop could prob help out with it.
With all the work that you'll do youself, that 2-2500 will put out a real screamer. [sm=hail.gif]
I'm excited for ya, can't wait to hear how it comes out.

 

383 may be passe, but on the other hand it works well. I'd go with a really good crank/rod/piston set made and balanced for that anda .40 over bore, then really focus on good heads, port and polish or if you can afford it AFR.

 

Whoa, wait a minute there, Lee. What the heck is 'AFR'?

 

Here's a link for AFR heads. Nice...Nice and pricey,LOL!
http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...;y=11&x=37

383 does work, real well. But I try to be different and it seems that every body and their brother has a "383 Stroker"

I found a few Forged rotating assembly kits by Eagle and Scat on Summit. They were 396, 395, 393, and 388. 396 might be nice but I was looking for something 400 or better. Any ideas where to look? Would individual parts be comparable in cost?

I think I have the porting and polishing covered....Hopefully! A buddy of mine worked for Rouch on their flow bench and has done several sets of CJ heads for me in the past. I'll have to bribe him with a case of Bud Ice to get him to do Chevy heads but I think he'll do them for me.

 

I know 408 and even 421 is possible with a cast iron LS1, 2, 3 or 6 engine, but thebiggest I've seen for pre-LS1 blocks (unless they are decked aftermarket castings) is 396. You can go over that if you have the siamesed bore (400 cubic inch factory) small block, but that is not what you have nor a recommended platform for a build up.

 

Well I might just have to stick with a 396. I found a nice Lunati Sledgehamer kit for around 2g's. What kind of HP is obtainable out of a SBC? With maybe a pump Gas / Av fuel mix. (100-08)I can get a "Student Pilots" discount at the local airfield. Still high but a little more reasonable. LOL!