Is this a terrible engine idea?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 1
From: OKC Oklahoma
Is this a terrible engine idea?
Well, my plans of building a mega inch small block are on hold right now because of a bitter stupid divorce.....Anyway, I think I might make due with what I have. My engine is a crate Goodwrench with less than 15,000 miles on it. I was running Vortec's with a Comp 256 cam. Would it be a terrible idea to just pull the crank and install a Scat 383 crank with no other machine work other than clearancing for the connecting rods? The cylinder walls still look great. It's killing me to just see the car sit there for the past 2 years, but I'm strapped for funds. By the way, I have some nice aluminum 200cc/64cc heads right now and don't want to put them on a low compression 350. The crank will boost my compression and will be better suited to the large heads. Any thoughts that this might be a bad idea?
One gear at a time
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,189
Likes: 24
CI 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
Is the engine out of the car already? If you have the time and the means, I don't see a reason not too. You may need to lightly hone the cylinders, and I would run new rings. You should be able to pick-up a rotating assembly fairly cheap, but you may be able to re-use the stock pistons if you were to run 400 rods. Be sure to clean your block thoroughly after grinding on it. The stroker crank will provide a nice torque boost. I don't know what heads you have, but if they are Dart or ProToplines, I doubt you'll see a gain over your Vortec heads in the below 5000 RPM range.
If it were me, I'd probably just do a little port work on the vortecs and maybe step the cam up a little. Good luck, Wes
If it were me, I'd probably just do a little port work on the vortecs and maybe step the cam up a little. Good luck, Wes
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by 79VetteMike
. It's killing me to just see the car sit there for the past 2 years, but I'm strapped for funds.
drive what you got, reduce the stess..... you can always spend money later.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 2
From: Barrie
You CANT use 350 pistons with a stroker crank
You'll need a stroker kit, which requires you to tare the motor apart.
If you want more power on a budget you might want to replace that extremely small cam you have in there right now. You could also use your 200cc heads with steel shim gaskets to raise the compression pressure, but that cam has got to go.
I highly recommend you buy a book that has engine math and stroker information in it. The research pay’ off in the long run.
You'll need a stroker kit, which requires you to tare the motor apart.
If you want more power on a budget you might want to replace that extremely small cam you have in there right now. You could also use your 200cc heads with steel shim gaskets to raise the compression pressure, but that cam has got to go.
I highly recommend you buy a book that has engine math and stroker information in it. The research pay’ off in the long run.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 1
From: OKC Oklahoma
Originally Posted by lostpatrolman
The 350 pistons are too tall. The wrist pin needs to be moved upward toward the top of the piston.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 56
From: Shawano WI
Originally Posted by 79VetteMike
back in 1995 Popular Hot Rodding did an article on building a budget stroker and the only thing they changed was the crank. I know alot of thing have been figured out since then, but it apparently worked then, so what am I missing? I've considered getting pistons also, but don't want this to snowball. Thanks again....Mike
The crankshaft, pistons and rods have to be matched so as not to exceed your deck height, which will be 9.0 to 9.020 depending on whether the block has ever been decked. It you increase the stroke from 3.48 (stock 350) to 3.75 (383 stroker) you will need to either use .135 shorter rods (not recommended) or use a piston with a pin height moved up .135 or else the pistons WILL hit the heads.