408 Stroker Build Suggestions


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zsn0w said

Want some recommendations/advice on my build I'm starting up. I have the basics pretty much set, but some things (specifically the valvetrain) are still up in the air.
I'm aiming for a streetable car with a very good lowend that will be fun and fast but still drivable near daily.See below
That being said, it doesn't have to be completely tame, just not looking for over 500HP or anything. I'm planning on using this kit Scat Engine Rotating Assemblies 1-98113BI for the rotating assembly as I want to be able to use it with pump gas and think the compression ratios look good here. For the intake I have an LD340 and I was planning on upgrading the carb to from my Holley 1850 Burry this one deep I have laying around to a 750 CFM holley double pumper, good choice after saving up a bit. If this is overkill please let me know.
What I have questions about are head choices and valvetrain/camshaft options. I'm planning on keeping it a hydraulic flat tappet, and I was looking at Hughes SEH2428AL-11 and SEH2832AL-10 ,as options for the cam.
I ran a Hughes 2430 for 4 years; and it made monster torque in my 10.9 Scr 367 cuber. But with cast-iron 308s your cylinder pressure might go thru the roof. Same for the 2832 . Because you have cubes, you won't be needing a torquey cam like one of these. (Hey This combo might be a prime candidate for a Thumpr type cam.) Don't skimp on the lifters. I have had excellent results with the Hughes I bought in 2004. These were not the base models but the better ones they were selling back then. With just a half turn preload, they go 7000 all day every day, withe Hughes 1110 springs, and never pump up, and never tic until the they need a lil adjustment, soooo, I highly recommend the Hughes lifters and springs.... plus adjustable arms.
My only problem with these is the questionable necessity of using all of the other hughes components. Pretty pricey for what, to me at least, seem like overkill for my usage. Could I use stock valvetrain components with this? Or at least stock-style summit lifters, springs, pushrods, etc? What other cams would you recommend? These cams seemed ideal in my research, but please let me know if I'm just completely barking up the wrong tree here.
On the topic of heads, I've been considering using 308's or maybe Edelbrocks if I can afford it and it's necessary. Would the 308s be a huge hindrance in a setup like this? Any input at all is appreciated. I have read a LOT about engine building but have not had much experience myself (yet), especially in the realm of V8s and pushrod valvetrains.
Thanks for your time and help!

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It sounds to me like; for your stated useage,
"I'm aiming for a streetable car with a very good low-end that will be fun and fast but still driveable near daily."
That the 408 might be overkill....Hang on, I'm not trying to rain on your parade.
It's just that if your budget is that tight, I would swap the stroker in a heartbeat, for the aluminum heads. The 367 practically falls together at 10.8 Scr with 63CC Eddies. And together with .....say that SEH 2832, it would make cylinder pressure around 175psi, and you can run E87 on that; I do. You can't run that much pressure at all with iron heads. And if you put 63cc iron heads on the stroker,and use that same 2832 cam your pressure might go too high for pumpgas. But let's say you somehow get it down to 160psi. At that point and below 3000rpm, your 408 might show similar performance to a 367, also below 3000 rpm.................... so......... say 80% of the time or more, the 367 would be sufficient. The 367, at 175psi, will spin 275/60-15 BFG-TAs to 50/60 mph with 3.91/4.10s easy. It will spin 325/50-15 Comp T/As to the same. Actually, mine does it with a 4 speed and 3.55s, so second gear is 6.82 ratio for me, whereas for you; 6.82 would require 4.70s, before factoring in the TC; so say minimum 4.10s, to absolutely annihilate the tires..
But
Where the 408 will come in handy is in third gear......... sometime after 85 mph. You go there much? Another reason to run the 408, is so you can run a hiway gear,and still have a strong bottom-end left over, without running a monster TC. And another is cylinder pressure; you can soften it up to run pump gas and again; still have a tire fryer.
The only reason I mention these things is because you said;
"Any input at all is appreciated. I have read a LOT about engine building but have not had much experience myself (yet),Thanks for your time and help"; And because your budget is so tight.
Up here, Canada, the Eddies and proper valvegear cost me about $3000, back in 1999, while stroker kits were about $2000/2500. I have never been sorry about my decision.
Whatever you decide, forget that 1850, and
Happy HotRodding