I prefer 12-point ... regardless 6 or 12 ... EngineQuest & Pioneer both have great quality for less $ than ARP

 

What is the difference between 6 and 12 point? Do you have a link for the brands you mentioned? I can’t find them online.

 

on the left side of page ... check your application etc ... & per head style, choose 12-point instead of Hex

https://www.summitracing.com/search/...rder=Ascending

 

12 point the nut or bolt head is smaller. So with a 12 point you can buy thin wall sockets to remove the head nut's which I prefer, Or bolts between the valve springs. As you get up into larger diameter spring with roller cams you end up having to remove the springs to get to some of the nuts. I bought 6 ARP point not knowing any better 25 years ago. If you go to aluminum heads, heads studs and exhaust header studs are the only way to go

https://www.summitracing.com/search/...Brands+1+-+FSP


I just redid my smaller vette motor again

 

Got it! Thanks for that info!

 

you find & download pioneer hipo catalog (HP-2010) for details ...
... pioneer pn 851200 ... $67 at summit ... comparable arp kit is $86 ...
...12-point headbolt & washer kit for both sbc heads
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pio-851200/overview/


afaik, pioneer doesn't market or sell direct to retail

 

We used to pick up Pioneer stuff all the time yrs ago never felt the need to spend for ARP even though they are surely better.

 

I ended up getting the ARP head bolt kit and the 1206 fel-pro gasket from summit

 

I have that ARP head bolt kit. Those washers are beveled on one side and need to be installed with that side up if I recall correctly. There is a reason for this so just be aware.

 

x2 res I found out the hard way 20 yrs ago lol
Anyone run pioneer dampners back then?

Gkull still running 210s and a HR on your 383?
Finishing a set of Chinese heads. setting in they make more power than my (215 Conquest...early pro 1 ported to 230 by Mamo) Darts curious to your feedback.
CSA Bowl size etc whats your opinion? Cant afford AFRs but these look so tempting know youve been around the block.

 

No, I've never had a H Roller cam in my vette. I have solid roller cams in my vette motors and early on I had a 383, 3.750 stroke. Until I figured out that the 3.875 inch cost the same price and you end up with a 396 ci. Which has a bunch more TQ

Yes AFR 210 heads and I originally used 227cc. But I quit chasing max performance. I've used up to 230cc on 350 ci. The 195 and 200cc are about the best option for any roller 350

 

by 3.875 stroke, do you mean a 3.875 balanced rotating assembly? Is that the same as a 383 stroker kit?

 

a commonplace cast piston size for a 5.7 rod 383 has compression height = 1.425"

most OE deck height for a sbc ~ 9.025"

I had an sbc 350 block with excellent decks which didn't need cutting/decking ... it needed boring to thirty-over ... and I wanted to build a 383.
Most folk do a 383 w/ a 3.750" stroke crank in a thirty-over block ... I was going to also ... but then I found a 3.800" stroke crank for same money $.
I used 3.8" crank, 5.7" rods and 1.425" ch pistons ... that stacks up to 9.025" ... same as most OE decks ...
... pistons were flush with decks ... much as if "zero-decked."

An inexpensive 0.039" gasket gave near-perfect quench. I didn't pay to have the block decked; didn't need it anyhow anyway.

So, I ended up with 388 ci ... relatively cheap and easy ... that extra fifty thousandths of stroke yielded 5 extra cubic inches ...
... sure, I clearanced the block in a few spots and cam-clearanced the rods ... all DIY ... and this wasn't my first motor either.

FWIW, Chev/GM Performance sells a 383 ... new standard bore 350 block but with a 3.800" stroke crank

 

Yes a 3.875 rotating kit yields 396 ci. Lots more tq and everyone else has a 383

 

Whats your opinion on something like this 396 kit? Looks like a 10.0 compression ratio with the 64cc Brodix heads.

https://www.coasthigh.com/Chevy-395-...02-ps-c395.htm

 

Go ahead and get the $200 balance. Stock blocks require grinding on the front cylinders pan rails because of the narrowing towards the front cylinders. I clearance the rod bolts about. 040 when I do stroker kits for customers.

My shown blue block has a stroker 8 quart RR pan for up to 4.00 inch crankshafts

 

Spot on!

 

in short ... not much

I'm not a fan of any kit ... can't always KNOW what's in a kit ... I prefer autonomy ... pick & choose parts to suit MY requirements ...
... not necessarily the priciest Nor cheapest ... but best bang for the buck.

I did take a look at above CHP kit ... look close as CHP touts PROBE brand pistons, rods & crank ... but ...
... but look here ... https://www.coasthigh.com/category-s/141000191.htm ... CHP disclaims it ...
... pure BS ... afaik, PROBE DOA a few years back ... afaik, No longer a PROBE Industries ...
... that kind of BS from consolidaters like CHP is further reason to avoid such HYPE from CHP and the "Skippy blanco" seller too.

FWIW Probe did mfg some pretty good pistons ... used to ... when they actually existed.

No kits or pre-packaged assemblies for me, thank you.

Also, I have preferences in machinists who do crank work ... another for block work ... and another for head work.
As I'm not a fan of kits, neither a fan of having same source balance it.

For those who haven't the time and/or savvy to pick & choose, kits are an alternative.

Their numbers are diminishing, but an OE sbc 400 also makes a great start for a hotrod ... larger bore allows any head to breathe better ...
... and even its OE cast 3.75" crank's pretty tough.

Then there's my go-to recommendations ... rebuild a '96-2002 L31 vin code R iron Vortec ... swap cam, springs & retainers ... easy reliable 400fwhp or + ...
... or buy a brand new one pn 12681431 and do the same swap
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-OEM-NEW-...97.m4902.l9144

 

gkull how did your car act going to a smaller head? what cam did you run back then?


Lots of advertisers selling kits or engines, if you read their fine print will say something like "parts can be substituted to xxx at will". Meaning youll get cheap crap and an excuse. not always but too often.

 

Wow! That's a great catalog and pioneer prices are much better than ARP. I've looked at the Pioneer standard catalog many times but somehow the Hi Po catalog escaped me.

Thx for sharing that source.