Current (2023) Engine Builder Recommendations?
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Joined: Mar 2016
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Current (2023) Engine Builder Recommendations?
Hello,
Have had some pretty gnarly gen. 1 small blocks built in the past, however those old school builders have now largely retired.
Not taking anything away from crate engines whatsoever, but am leaning toward an all aluminum 377-ish build (little personal nod to GS and one of those cars that I spent time around with family friend/owner many years ago).
Can anyone here recommend a trustworthy shop for the above? No problem traveling for the right builder.
Thank You!
Lindy
Have had some pretty gnarly gen. 1 small blocks built in the past, however those old school builders have now largely retired.
Not taking anything away from crate engines whatsoever, but am leaning toward an all aluminum 377-ish build (little personal nod to GS and one of those cars that I spent time around with family friend/owner many years ago).
Can anyone here recommend a trustworthy shop for the above? No problem traveling for the right builder.
Thank You!
Lindy
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 3,956
Likes: 1,605
From: Eastern MA
Hello,
Have had some pretty gnarly gen. 1 small blocks built in the past, however those old school builders have now largely retired.
Not taking anything away from crate engines whatsoever, but am leaning toward an all aluminum 377-ish build (little personal nod to GS and one of those cars that I spent time around with family friend/owner many years ago).
Can anyone here recommend a trustworthy shop for the above? No problem traveling for the right builder.
Thank You!
Lindy
Have had some pretty gnarly gen. 1 small blocks built in the past, however those old school builders have now largely retired.
Not taking anything away from crate engines whatsoever, but am leaning toward an all aluminum 377-ish build (little personal nod to GS and one of those cars that I spent time around with family friend/owner many years ago).
Can anyone here recommend a trustworthy shop for the above? No problem traveling for the right builder.
Thank You!
Lindy
Just mentioning, Blueprint offers a complete 383 that is advertised as mathematically a 377, They make their own blocks but I do not believe they offer aluminum. They sell a long block version but again- iron block only to my knowledge. Seems a good deal to me. Tempting even.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,463
Likes: 1,889
From: Folsom CA
EDIT: My note in blue below is wrong, the original Grand Sport did use the 4" bore and a 3.75 stroke just like the BP engines made today. The 377 using a 4.125 bore and a 3.48 stroke did not come around till the 400 small block was released in 1970 and hot rodders made a large bore short stroke 377.
The Grand Sport did use all aluminum blocks while BP engines uses a cast iron block.
" The 377 the OP is talking about is a 4 1/8 bore with a 350 crankshaft 3.48" stroke.
Blueprint makes a 350 block with a 4" bore and using a 3.75" stroke also gets a 377.
The large bore short stroke version is a high winder like a 302 combo.
The long stroke smaller bore engine makes a ton of torque and makes good power but they are not the same.
The Grand Sport did use all aluminum blocks while BP engines uses a cast iron block.
" The 377 the OP is talking about is a 4 1/8 bore with a 350 crankshaft 3.48" stroke.
Blueprint makes a 350 block with a 4" bore and using a 3.75" stroke also gets a 377.
The large bore short stroke version is a high winder like a 302 combo.
The long stroke smaller bore engine makes a ton of torque and makes good power but they are not the same.
Last edited by Westlotorn; Nov 22, 2023 at 06:42 PM. Reason: MISTAKE
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,079
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From: Woodland Hills CA
Builder
Let me ask my buddy who is close to retiring if he is interested….he is in Saugus, CA. A one man old school shop with all old manual machines….he took over from his Dad who started it in the 60’s.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10,675
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From: Golden Colorado
The 377 the OP is talking about is a 4 1/8 bore with a 350 crankshaft 3.48" stroke.
Blueprint makes a 350 block with a 4" bore and using a 3.75" stroke also gets a 377.
The large bore short stroke version is a high winder like a 302 combo.
The long stroke smaller bore engine makes a ton of torque and makes good power but they are not the same.
Blueprint makes a 350 block with a 4" bore and using a 3.75" stroke also gets a 377.
The large bore short stroke version is a high winder like a 302 combo.
The long stroke smaller bore engine makes a ton of torque and makes good power but they are not the same.
edit - mine had a 350 steel crank (3.48 stroke) to make 377. In my opinion the larger bore unshrouds the valves making more higher rpm hp but the other combination makes more lower rpm torque which is of course better for a street engine. The bearing spacers are a pain also. JMHO.
Last edited by Vette5311; Nov 22, 2023 at 06:56 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 3,956
Likes: 1,605
From: Eastern MA
The 377 the OP is talking about is a 4 1/8 bore with a 350 crankshaft 3.48" stroke.
Blueprint makes a 350 block with a 4" bore and using a 3.75" stroke also gets a 377.
The large bore short stroke version is a high winder like a 302 combo.
The long stroke smaller bore engine makes a ton of torque and makes good power but they are not the same.
Blueprint makes a 350 block with a 4" bore and using a 3.75" stroke also gets a 377.
The large bore short stroke version is a high winder like a 302 combo.
The long stroke smaller bore engine makes a ton of torque and makes good power but they are not the same.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,463
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From: Folsom CA
I read a test once where they took the 400 block and installed a 283 crankshaft, only 3" or 3.25" stroke. This combo made right at 350 cubic inches, I think it was in Hot Rod and they said it was the 350 GM should have built. Made 400 HP with no detonation issues and out performed the 350 engines they had made at the time. I do believe the 377 would have kicked that new version 350 to the curb while still offering a high winding toy.
Not sure how they would do on MPG but I don't think anyone cares when they go that direction.
Not sure how they would do on MPG but I don't think anyone cares when they go that direction.
Last edited by Westlotorn; Nov 22, 2023 at 06:43 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,463
Likes: 1,889
From: Folsom CA
Sorry the other 377 I mentioned did not come around till the 400 block was made in 1970 so your information was exactly correct.
My mistake, should have checked first before commenting. I will edit the original post to correct.
I believe a std 383 is normally built from a standard 350 block but bored .030 oversize giving you the 383 designation. Since Blueprint builds their own 350 casting they can use the std 4.000 bore which reduces the total to 377.
I almost went with a 377 with a 400 block 4.125 bore for my car but finally decided to go with a 406, more inches = more go power normally? I guess that is why we see some building big blocks as large as 640".
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 3,956
Likes: 1,605
From: Eastern MA
CHRIS, I AM TOTALLY WRONG!!!, The original Grand Sport lists the bore and stroke as 4" x 3.75 exactly like the BP engine design you mentioned.
Sorry the other 377 I mentioned did not come around till the 400 block was made in 1970 so your information was exactly correct.
My mistake, should have checked first before commenting. I will edit the original post to correct.
.
Sorry the other 377 I mentioned did not come around till the 400 block was made in 1970 so your information was exactly correct.
My mistake, should have checked first before commenting. I will edit the original post to correct.
.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,350
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From: Seattle Area WA
Are you looking at using a Dart Aluminum Block. One of my buds had a 377 built from.a cast Dart Block, that is a really nice engine. He had Action Machine in Shoreline Washington build it. They have all the nice Rotler CNC machines in house and do a fair number of Dart blocks.
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From: Corsicana, Tx
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VortecPro in TX. Mark Jones. VortecPro - Racing & Machine - Homepage (vortecpro454.com)
Fanatical attention to detail and pulls incredible performance out of combinations. I've been to his shop and seen his work, Great stuff.
JIM
Fanatical attention to detail and pulls incredible performance out of combinations. I've been to his shop and seen his work, Great stuff.
JIM