OldCarBum

I'm looking at rotating assemblies for my 73 454 big block.
I'm thinking of stroking it to 496 cu in and I've been looking at SCAT and Eagle brands, but I've heard some people say that neither are as good as they used to be and that both are using components produced in China and just doing the machining here in the US.
Can anyone confirm the rumors?
The brands these machine shops are suggesting are costly, up to $4k-$5k, just for crank, rods, pistons, rings and bearings. This is discouraging.
Another suggestion I received was to buy a new 502 cu in block from Chevy Performance their, crank, rods, pistons, bearings, rings to get high quality parts.

71VetteLover

As G.M. buys most of their parts from Mexican and Chinese factories I would think they'd be the same quality as Scat and Eagle. I suggest talking to your local crank grinder as he would know what differences there are between the different brands. I watched a video a few days ago about BMW engines being made in China and BMW is VERY picky about quality as we all know. The factory was ultra high tech in every way from forging and machining the crankshafts and connecting rods to casting and machining the aluminum engine blocks and cylinder heads.

v2racing

I like the Scat stuff. They are cast in China and have been for many years, but Scat does their own machine work and inspection. I think they are more consistent with their quality than Eagle.

Mike

Rescue Rogers

Talking with a machinist that owns his own company. Most things are made in China and similar items are all made in the same factory. Depending on how much QA you want and how much you spend depends on which line your piece is made. One line is the 13 year old kid with no knowledge, the other line is the 30 year experienced machinist. It just depends on the person paying for the work

cv67

Have used Scat, CAT etc never had a problem with any of them
Having your machinist check them over making sure they are straight balanced right is key. They have their preferred brands, there is no reason a rotating assy lke that should run 4-5k. A GM crate is a good idea or google vortecpro he posts here & makes real good power with GM stuff, its reasonable and stays together.

Dont get sucked into the cheap ebay stuff, fancy ads and bogus hp claims you never know what youre really getting & good luck wiht that "warranty"

OldCarBum

Thanks, I talked with the techs at Summit Racing who told me the quality of SCAT assemblies is very good and they sell a ton of them with very few returns.

Rescue Rogers

Have you looked at remanufactured forged cranks. Crankshaft rebuilders, inc. uses original
GM forgings and rebuilds them. I can get a forged 327 large journal 1130/4672 with bearings for $307 minus the core from these guys through a local chain. That can save you some cash

v2racing

Having worked in design and sourcing for manufacture of performance parts, I agree with this completely. If you nickle and dime the asian manufacturers on price, you get crap. If you detail the design and material specifications and pay them what they quote, you will most times get a quality product. You have to pay to get quality.

Mike

OldCarBum

Ok, that being said, would you purchase a rolling assembly from SCAT or Chevy Performance?
I am looking at $2200.00 for a SCAT 496 stroker assembly with forged crank, H beam rods, forged pistons. rings, bearings and all the goodies.
I want it to be reliable, and I only want to do it once.
The car will be for street use and not raced at the drag strip or road course.
I'm already getting out of my budget and may just have to rebuild my 454 using the OEM crank which is cast with 2 bolt mains.

v2racing

I wouldn't have any problems ordering the Scat kit. I would inspect and measure everything though no matter what brand I bought. I never take anything for granted!

Mike

OldCarBum

This goes without saying.

427Hotrod

SCAT stuff is fine. I've used it for years. Get all forged stuff so you can add power later without worry. A lot of GM/Mopar stuff comes from SCAT. I've been in the factory with the owner giving a personal tour.

Stay away from CAT.

Callies makes some nice stuff in their lower priced line. Ohio crank sells some decent kits.

Howards sells some good kits too.

JIM