To Stroke, or not to Stroke

360Z28 said
k, first off 400-500-600hp 340/360/383/400/440/451/470/500/512/ or 528cid engines are NO garrenty for a 11sec timeslip.
you need to build your car AROUND what engine you decide to go with. that means front/rear suspension, weight transfer etc.
yes, a 440 stroker is EASIER to build then a 400 stroker, but the cost is still the same. the bigger the engine, the more
easily it can handle larger cams. the 451 engine is a a nice engine, light recipocating mass, etc. the the B-deck
is easier to install in a A-body. As far as what to expect from the 451.. it responds to upgrades like any other
engine. But as said by Myself, and others, IF you decide to go with big cubes.. be prepared to spend BIG $$$.
Also if you don't (especially in the cylinder head area), don't be surprised if your 512 gets smoked by a 340 with W5 heads.

Yeah, I understand that it is a combination. Much like building a good home theater. You have to chose components that compliment each other.

So, to wit...

The body will be essentially stock steel with a glass hood, and maybe fenders...dunno yet. I will have weld in sub frame connectors. I am considering a 10-12 point roll cage ( just because it is cool ;) ) rear springs relocated to the inside of the frame rails. I am looking at a Dana rear with either a 3.54 or 3.91 gear set ( not open ) and a good set of shocks. I was told to stay away from MP springs as they are crap lately, but was given a lead on good springs and torsion bars. Front brakes are currently late A-Body disc up front with 10" drum in the rear. I was planning on either 11" drum for the rear, or disc as well. Trans will be a 727 ( looking at the Mancini Racing trans, or open to suggestions ) with a 10" Turbo Action Converter. A lot of these plans ( except the Dana ) were planned on years ago, when we first started playing with the 340 that's in the car now. Back then, I wanted a 12 second car, and to be completely honest, I would probably be happy with 12 seconds. I was just thinking that now I have better means, I wanted a faster car. Is an 11 second street car a tall order, unrealistic?

The fastest the car has run in the past was 8.80 in the 1/8th mile at Texas Raceway, Kennedale. Back then, it had the current 340 w/10:1 comp, 284/484 cam,Edelbrock LD340 intake, Holly 750 Vacuum secondary, ( Not sure of the heads, sorry )> I have a 727 that was worked over by a friend ( He did most of the work on the car ) and had a 4.88 sure grip. We were running 26" tires at the time. Oh, and an adjustable pinion snubber. In the quarter, I had the same motor with an Edelbrock performer cam, and a carter 600 AFB. With an open 2.94 rear and about 26" tall tires, ( all other above being the same ) it ran 14.60 at the Motorplex.

Dunno if any of that is relevant, but it was back then I set my mind on putting in a big block. I figured a 400 would be easier to install, but would probably cost more to build, so while it isn't a matter of cost is no object, I was expecting it to be expensive. It's just now I have more expendable income, and can budget in about 2K every 6 months just for the car, and will be nickel and diming my way to a better car in between. I think I figured $12K on the lean side of the budget, but am looking at a lot more on the fat govt. side.

Anyway...it's bed time, so I'll post again later...

Nite!

j