408 budget stroker ?

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chris100

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Im building a magnum 360 for my 67 dart in my research I came across an article or 2 on the ease of making my engine a stroker . Besides the crank and the harmonic balancer what do I need. Read a little that the stock rods will work and I do need to change the pistons. Im on a small budget but if I can rake in almost 50 ci and 75+ lbs for 600 win win. Bit im uneducated on the whole deal.
 
A stroker kit will cost a thousand or better. Often a box stock overhaul with proper machine work will cost upwards of $3000 depending on what needs to be done. Crank and pistons make the stroker. Stock rods can be used.
 
A stroker kit will cost a thousand or better. Often a box stock overhaul with proper machine work will cost upwards of $3000 depending on what needs to be done. Crank and pistons make the stroker. Stock rods can be used.
What machining needs done balancing?
 
To do it right, everything needs done. At least boring /honing, rod reconditioning, balancing, new heads or at least yours rebuilt. Ythe assembly needs balanced. With a Magnum you will need a intake and carb , probably headers to make it work.. No budget build here.
 
There is no such thing as cheap.
You can purchase a complete kit from a verity of places.
Hughesengines
Campbell
Mancini
 
Google 360 Mopar Stroker pistons and take your pick. Consider the hypertectic (dp?) by KB Pistons.

OE rods will require grinding of the block. If you're having OE rods redone and since you're balancing anyway, get some SCAT I beams. Lighter, stronger and no grinding needed.
 
Pistons that say it is for the stroker crank your going to use. Now is that a 4 or 4.125 or a 4.25 crank?

What is the bore size needed?
Forged or Hyper?
What compression ratio are you looking for?
Dish, domed or flat top?

You need a book or two to read and a machinist willing to help you.
 
For a budget build probably KB356. I have built a 408 for under $1000 a couple of times. You can get a cast crank under $400 and the Kieth Black pistons are always around decent priced.
 
The absolute cheapest way I ever did one was a MP crank I bought for $250, a set of standard bore MP Pistons that used to be everywhere for $150 a set, stock rods.
 
Pistons that say it is for the stroker crank your going to use. Now is that a 4 or 4.125 or a 4.25 crank?

What is the bore size needed?4.0 crank and I agree on the help
Forged or Hyper?
What compression ratio are you looking for?
Dish, domed or flat top?

You need a book or two to read and a machinist willing to help you.
Pistons that say it is for the stroker crank your going to use. Now is that a 4 or 4.125 or a 4.25 crank?

What is the bore size needed?
Forged or Hyper?
What compression ratio are you looking for?
Dish, domed or flat top?

You need a book or two to read and a machinist willing to help you.
4.0 and im not sure on the ratio I want it to run on 93
 
The absolute cheapest way I ever did one was a MP crank I bought for $250, a set of standard bore MP Pistons that used to be everywhere for $150 a set, stock rods.
Thats what im going for cheap what you are telling me is what i what should I expect to pay for balancing this thing
The absolute cheapest way I ever did one was a MP crank I bought for $250, a set of standard bore MP Pistons that used to be everywhere for $150 a set, stock rods.
thats what im looking for down right cheap ill look into it what should I expect to pay at the machinist
 
If you want to run 93 you better get dish pistons. I messed up and ordered flat tops..... With the 62cc EQ heads that put me at 12.2 to 1 compression. Needless to say I spent money unnecessarily on cutting a dish in my pistons
 
If you make the decision to buy a 408 kit,buy the Scat kit,with Icon forged pistons,and the good Scat rods....A few bucks more,gives you more nastiness potential,for the future... For the machine work bill,put better product in it... Been here,done that....If you can't swing it: Save up,get better parts & be patient...
 
If you make the decision to buy a 408 kit,buy the Scat kit,with Icon forged pistons,and the good Scat rods....A few bucks more,gives you more nastiness potential,for the future... For the machine work bill,put better product in it... Been here,done that....If you can't swing it: Save up,get better parts & be patient...
This is the kit I went with and I'm glad I did, other than ordering the flat top pistons lol
 
Google 360 Mopar Stroker pistons and take your pick. Consider the hypertectic (dp?) by KB Pistons.

OE rods will require grinding of the block. If you're having OE rods redone and since you're balancing anyway, get some SCAT I beams. Lighter, stronger and no grinding needed.
This ,on rods... KB'pistons,are nice.. an extra couple bucks,gets you Icon forged.. Those KB 356 pistons ,are a waste ,with a closed chamber .. The pedestal is "mill till needed" ..,actually outdated technology, in piston abilities now.. .
 
If you keep it under 500 hp, buy a scat cast crank rotating kit that comes balenced. Bore and deck block. There's your basic short block.
 
When I said you can build one cheap all it means is you can, it don't mean you will get the desired results. If there's one thing I learned from all of this, choose your heads first, the chamber volume on the heads will determine what Pistons you need. If your going cheap you will probably be building something for torque, if your aiming for large HP numbers then your going to have to spend some money somewhere. I used to sell at a lot of swap meets so I picked up a lot of cheap deals that would allow me to build stuff very reasonable. Just don't go in expecting to build a world beater for a grand. You can build a pretty fun little motor without spending a mint if your patient and shop around.
 
There are kits out there that are already balanced for around $1600 if you shop. Mancini has a 340/408 stroker kit in their blow out section for $1950 that's already balanced and has forged crank,new rods and forged Pistons. Thought about buying one myself. I already have 2- 4 inch strokers built and have everything but a crank for another magnum 408. I don't really have that many cars around that need one but I'm trying to use up all the junk in my garage.
 
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