gkull

I don't even recommend building 377 or 383 ci stroker motors. Because forged rotating kits are the same price for all the different stroke lengths.

So I quit building 3.750 crank motors and went to only 3.875 for stock 4 bolt blocksand The Dart SHP blocks. 4.00 and 4.125 stroke cranks in the Motown and Dart raised cam blocks.

I have seen and worked on other stroke lengths, but ideas like 3.800 etc are flawed pipe dream thinking when for $2100 I can buy a totally forged balanced rotating kit made to handle 1000 hp. So if you only make 500 hp everything will last a lifetime of fun

jackson

Many ZZ4 came OE with FORGED STEEL crank. Not all. What do you have? Cast or Forged? A few Clear pics of the Unfinished throws/arms directly adjacent to machined rod journals will tell the tale. Also, your ZZ4 should have flat top pistons with 4 valve reliefs; a clear pic or two will confirm.

Perhaps all YOU really need is good heads and more cam?

Jebbysan

That's what I said Trebek LOL!

Modify this engine........build a 383 later (Or a 406....I quit building 383's....)

Jebby

jackson

Disagree. It's not flawed when build is much less expensive than those you've been doing. That 3.8 came out of a Plan to build a cast crank, cast piston OE block combo which was never intended to make the power level yours have been capable of. I found a 3.8 cast for a bit less than equivalent 3.75. No pipe dream either; worked great for small budget street car not a record-setter. No doubt mine not a fit for your tastes/parameters... nor would a $4K crate.

jackson

trebek

OP came here asking for input on installing a 400 crank; not heads or cam

When OP mentions trickflow top end and different strokes, that MY cue the OP is open to options Other than 400 crank.

on another note … so far, OP hasn't indicated running silver state WFO sort of record attempt … only a 400 crank and now maybe a head-cam upgrade.

gkull

Yes, it is possible to create one of a kind combinations. Back in the 80s some companies were selling off set ground externally balanaced cranks of about 3.800 it took me awhile to figure out what rod and piston sizes I needed for my deck height. This is back before I even heard about quench or rod length. But I used short rods and big heavy forged trw pistons. The best heads back then dart 200 cc iron heads with 2.055 intake valves. I put in a solid crane cam. Seems to me that it was about 391 ci or so. I was young and dumber and it didn't last very long. It had piston slap on cold starting. Within a couple of years it was smoking blue out the exhaust pipes and the big damper broke and slipped so you couldn't time it. It was just a learning curve experience of what not to do

I'd Google rotating kits in the past I have seen cast, 5150 forged I think , and the 4340 forged. The big thing is to get internally balanced. So any damper, flex plate, or flywheel will work in the future

Jebbysan

LOL....the Trebek reference is from a SNL skit around 2000 where they parody Jeopardy!
Darrel Hammond plays Sean Connery and his line is “That’s what I said Trebek”.....maybe I am getting old.
Will Farrell plays Trebek....

I call it how I see it....a 400 crank in anything with a 350 journal is not viable. Therefore I moved on to just getting a matched rotating assembly because I assume the OP wants cubes....well....I went further than that by saying the ZZ4 has crap heads and spend the money there if one needs a power increase.....

Apples to Apples....a 350 and 383 will make almost identical peak power numbers but the ‘83 almost always makes about 7-8% more torque.....so if the OP wants torque....the only way is with a dedicated crankshaft....and then nothing else fits....and has to be balanced....and so on, and so on, and so on.....but I said a head and cam package would be a way better option in post #13

Jebby

jackson

in the 3.800 example … 0ff the shelf 5.7 rod and OTS 1.425 piston creates zero deck with std 9.025 deck

similarly, 3.800 crank with OTS 6 rod and OTS 1.125 piston also creates zero deck with std 9.025 deck

purchase those pieces for < $1K or > $10K
nothing immature or dumb either way; whichever meets projects' requirements.

I wouldn't stick a CAT brand crank in a points-leading, straight-rail Super Late Model … no more than I'd waste a Bryant crank in a mid-pack bomber class car.

Of course I didn't work on his motors... but spoke briefly w/ Yannick Dalmas at Road Atlanta... same weekend his blowover at inaugural petit le mans … his English much better than my Belgian-French … that ain't sayin' much.

htown81vette

Most people build 383 strokers because of budget reasons. Going to a Dart SHP gets away from that because they are significantly more expensive. I agree it is a superior block to the OEM, and more desirable, but just sayin'....

lionelhutz

Last I checked, a 3.75" stroke SCAT rotating kit with the 9000 crank, 4340 I beam rods and forged pistons would work fine for this application and can be had for around $1000 cheaper than their 3.875" all forged stroke kit.

68post

Why break down what well may be a fine running 350 when all you'll use is the block ?
Save the running engine and build off of a used $100/$150 350 4 bolt block, (if you think you need a 4 bolt) .You can still drive while you gather parts for a killer larger inch build with better heads !

Besides.. learning will be better when done at a less hurried pace, (easier to line-up your ducks).

L88Plus

I'll take "catch the semen" for 200... (Catch these men)
I'll take "swords" for 200.( "S" words)
I'll take "***** ads" for 200 ("Who reads?")
My favorite is, "I'll take "I have a hard on for 200". (used a marker to black out letters in "I'll have a Chardonnay")

For anyone who hasn't seen it, just use connery and jeopardy in a YouTube search. I think they're hilarious.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming....

Jebbysan

You forgot “Alex! I’ll take pick **** bum cover for 400!”
”Sean....that is pick an album cover...”
”That’s what I said Trebek!” LOL!
And of course....Norm McDonald as Burt Reynolds/Turd Ferguson....
Probably the funniest skit on SNL since Samuri Hotel!!!


Glad somebody picked up on the reference!!!!

Cheers!
Jebby

Vette5311

You know your getting old if you can remember when SNL was funny.

Bikespace

Turd Ferguson. It's a funny name.

Jebbysan

Jebby

htown81vette

SNL is downright sad anymore.