magnum or la stroker

[leanburn]

i plan on building a stroker over the next six months or so. i have a 96 magnum that i could use but i already have eddy heads on my 340. i was going to find another 340 block and do a 416 build but this magnum engine fell into my lap. is there any advantage other than the roller cam and is that much improvement over a non roller?

[bb71challenger]

Normally I would say do the magnum but if you already have Eddy heads I would do an LA stroker. I think the biggest advantage the magnums have are the heads themselves. I have never gotten too excited about hydraulic roller cams.

[BarracudaDave]

leanburn,
I'm thinking about the same engine build, but I have the stock X heads right now.  Would be interested in following your engine project as it happens, for my own education.

[leanburn]

once i decide wich way i'm gonna go i will be sure to post eveything. i'm sure i will be asking a ton of questions on here as well.

[matt63]

I used a 360 LA block with the Eddy magnum heads.  There was a couple of reasons. There was better/cheaper rocker arm selection with the stud mounted units.  I used Chebby 1.6 Comp Cams Promagnum arms.  The other reason was that the combustion chamber was the right size giving me the desired compression as the Eddy LA vs Eddy Magnum combustion chamber volumes differed.  If I had to do it again I might just go with the LA style head as I think the shaft mounted rockers are better.

[leanburn]

o.k, i have a dumb question. can you use la style eddy's on a magnum block?

[femtnmax]

o.k, i have a dumb question. can you use la style eddy's on a magnum block?

The answer should be YES.  Head Bolt pattern the same, head gaskets can use either one.  LA heads need to use LA intake manifold.  And you already have them so go for it.
The magnum block lifter bores are taller for roller lifters.  IF using a roller cam with LA heads, this is going to change the pushrod angle thru the heads by some amount.  You may have to redrill the pushrod holes in the heads to get everything to match up.

[leanburn]

i see said the blind man.

so i can use all my top end stuff and end up with a roller cam with the block that was given to me. thats great thanks guys.

[73challenger_TN]

Could you use the magnum block? The block isn't drilled to oil through the head.

[Chryco Psycho]

Could you use the magnum block? The block isn't drilled to oil through the head.

 , there are roller LA blocks used iin 88-92 with the 308 heads but there is no way to oil the rocker shaft using LA heads on a magnum block

[leanburn]

i thought that was to good to be true.

 so lets say i build a stroker out of the magnum useing the stock heads with some porting, how comparible would the power be to a la with ported eddies with a flat tappet cam?

[UKcuda]

I read up a lot on Magnum/LA compatibility when I was building my 360.

I remember reading somewhere about putting LA type heads on a Magnum either by drilling passages in the block or running an external oil feed.

[matt63]

The hydraulic roller cam is a non issue.  You can put them in either block.  I really like my Hughes roller cam.  It makes good power and provides enough vacuum for power brakes.

[moper]

You can also drill the oil feed passages, the castings are still set for it. Bu tthe holes are not drilled. Personally, if you want the hydraulic roller cam, sell what you got and get Magnum RPMs and you'll be happier.

[leanburn]

so the magnums create more power?