Small block stroker or Big block
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Riverside CA
I can assemble the engine ( I have been hot rodding for 30 years) but I am not an engine designer. So I hope you are right and that the Dart block only needs a hone and then assembly of my choosing of stroke. I have read on engine builder sites that they do extensive machining. I wouldn't know what to ask for.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
I would have everything double checked on the Dart block rather than just hone and assemble. The cooling jackets will be full of stuff flush those out real well
Did a 408 build 2 yrs ago with their Little M block I was impressed, worlds better than the GM block. Super strong piece and some nice improvements everywhere you looked.
Have a virgin bore 509 block not sure I want to build it the webbing just cant take (I feel ) what Id want to throw at it.
That larger bore sure wakes these up though. Sound kind of like an old school 396BBC
Did a 408 build 2 yrs ago with their Little M block I was impressed, worlds better than the GM block. Super strong piece and some nice improvements everywhere you looked.
Have a virgin bore 509 block not sure I want to build it the webbing just cant take (I feel ) what Id want to throw at it.
That larger bore sure wakes these up though. Sound kind of like an old school 396BBC
Last edited by cv67; Nov 2, 2011 at 05:44 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
other than the honing. You have to install all the dowel pins. timing cover, head gaskets, bell housing. You have to find a passenger side dipstick pan. You also have to remove all oil plugs like the rear of cam... and clean out left over filings from machining. I also ran it through a sonic cleaner and dried and mask for painting
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 6
From: Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '12
tjhphoto: Makoshark has a very good deal on some things you're probably going to need. If I was building another small block motor right now I would snap up these parts. I might anyway if you don't want them first. 
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-p...brand-new.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-p...brand-new.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Because of the hardness of my Dart block, my builder had to send it out to be honed. Just an FYI incase you were thinking you could just finish hone at home. I bit the bullet buying the Dart block, but it came as a solid foundation for my build without the gamble of spending the $ on a used block and then spending more for sonic checking the cylinder walls to make sure the block is good enough before spending even more on all the machining to true the surfaces. The Dart = peace of mind for me.
With that being said, the 4.125 400ci block is what I would start with. Then look at rotating assemblies, many times the price is close between the different strokes allowing for stroked 400 which now enters the BB cubic inch area. The Dart (3.875) and Motown (4.0") blocks also allow larger strokes without clearancing being required like stock blocks.
With that being said, the 4.125 400ci block is what I would start with. Then look at rotating assemblies, many times the price is close between the different strokes allowing for stroked 400 which now enters the BB cubic inch area. The Dart (3.875) and Motown (4.0") blocks also allow larger strokes without clearancing being required like stock blocks.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
tjhphoto: Makoshark has a very good deal on some things you're probably going to need. If I was building another small block motor right now I would snap up these parts. I might anyway if you don't want them first.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-p...brand-new.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-p...brand-new.html
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Riverside CA
tjhphoto: Makoshark has a very good deal on some things you're probably going to need. If I was building another small block motor right now I would snap up these parts. I might anyway if you don't want them first.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-p...brand-new.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-p...brand-new.html
Thanks!!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
For what it's worth, I think the aspect often missed is not only how much power, but how often and to what durations will you be spinning your motor to make this power. I just did the Dart SHP route for my 400. I opted to maintain 5.7" rods, stock 4.125 bore, and 3.75 stroke because it's a street car and I wanted to make great power yet leave some on the table, in the interest of reliability, simplicity, ease of maintenance and longevity. Here are some tips passed on by my shortblock builder. > 5.7 rods keep all piston rings out of the pin area, like factory engineering; 4.125 bore allows more rebuild opportunities; > 3.75 stroke can lead to minor costs like oil pan selection but the selling point here was that it would require clearancing con-rod big end bolts and/or a smaller base circle cam (at least in the SHP and, as far as I know, factory blocks) To each his own, but I chose a compromise.
The SPH is approx $1500, but is basically ready to go minus final hone so factor in any machining required for a rebuild as it will offset this a bit. The primary oiling aspect is really cool, but I don't think necessary unless building a racer. The heavier cylinder are casting and improved water jackets are really only significant improvements over the factory 400ci design. Most of the research I did indicated that one of the greatest design attributes of the sbc was its oiling/cooling capability.
I would look at a factory roller 350 block for either a 350 or 383. If money permits, I would look at SHP or GMPP for a 400. Perhaps a power adder on a stout 350? If your goals are greater, look at the bigger Darts or Motown.
r,
Rob
The SPH is approx $1500, but is basically ready to go minus final hone so factor in any machining required for a rebuild as it will offset this a bit. The primary oiling aspect is really cool, but I don't think necessary unless building a racer. The heavier cylinder are casting and improved water jackets are really only significant improvements over the factory 400ci design. Most of the research I did indicated that one of the greatest design attributes of the sbc was its oiling/cooling capability.
I would look at a factory roller 350 block for either a 350 or 383. If money permits, I would look at SHP or GMPP for a 400. Perhaps a power adder on a stout 350? If your goals are greater, look at the bigger Darts or Motown.
r,
Rob
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,557
Likes: 9
From: Oquirrh Mountains
St. Jude Donor '09
I can assemble the engine ( I have been hot rodding for 30 years) but I am not an engine designer. So I hope you are right and that the Dart block only needs a hone and then assembly of my choosing of stroke. I have read on engine builder sites that they do extensive machining. I wouldn't know what to ask for.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 591
Likes: 7
From: Batavia IL
I buy my engine stuff all the time from these guys. I pick it up in person to save shipping costs.
http://www.competitionproducts.com/E...artments/1235/
the racer series kits are around 4200 bucks, but you need to assemble yourself. if you want it already assembled it is a few hundred more. They include a dart aftermarket block.
http://www.competitionproducts.com/D...o/DRT95122427/
Good stuff in this short block, strong enough for well over 1000 hp!
http://www.competitionproducts.com/E...artments/1235/
the racer series kits are around 4200 bucks, but you need to assemble yourself. if you want it already assembled it is a few hundred more. They include a dart aftermarket block.
http://www.competitionproducts.com/D...o/DRT95122427/
Good stuff in this short block, strong enough for well over 1000 hp!
Last edited by Tumarr; Nov 4, 2011 at 01:55 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
I sure hope so, I plan to wail on it like I stole it from Harbor Freight!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Supposeldy an earlier one.
Got mine as a from a member in your area I did some porting for
hes got a bunch of them, if you want pm me and Ill put you in touch with him.
Hes moving and letting some things go
Got mine as a from a member in your area I did some porting for
hes got a bunch of them, if you want pm me and Ill put you in touch with him.
Hes moving and letting some things go
