stroker motor? yay or nay?

[brads70]

This song says it all......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBMbXOFIy8E

[torqueaddict]

I have been planning my motor build for a while now and have run across a dilemma.

My goals are minimum 500 hp and about 550 tq. I know this is very doable with the 440 I have sitting here and I am sure that it could make those goals wether I put in a stroker kit or not.

So here is where the dilemma comes in. I was talking to an engine builder around here that has a very good reputation. He suggested turning the 440 into a stroker because it would be easier to obtain my goals that way.

Then I talked to a buddy of mine that used to be an engine builder and he suggested not going the stroker route. According to him strokers lose some longevity because of the extra strain on the internals.

So my question is which way should I go? I want to get at least 100k miles out of this motor before I need to rebuild it, but I also like the idea of a stroker  .

So what do you guys think? Will a stroker maintain reliability for what I have in mind or would I be better off just rebuilding the 440 and hoping to make the power with add ons?

I was having a similar issue, if you get the Mancini 493 kit unbalanced you will end up paying $1585 total. Like Chrycho said you will end up paying damn near the same after you get your rings, bearings, and rod bolts. Do your research abd post maybe you can provide me with more info if you learn more.
 

[aris_unlimited]

I didn't realize the mancini kit was unbalanced. I will probably go with the 440source kit then. They include the rods and pistons and have everything weighed and balanced.

[torqueaddict]

Mancini has an unbalanced and a balanced kit, the balanced kit is 1750 the unbalanced is 1450. you also need to look at your gonna pay twice the taxes with 440source if that's not an issue. They both come with the same amount of stuff, the 440source kit is 2200 without shipping because of taxes here in good ol' Arnold land.  . Its up to you, 440source does a good job but if you have a good relationship with your machine shop the balancing should be fairly inexpensive so you can probably get you kit have it balanced and get you a good cam for what the balanced 440source kit will cost you. If you get mancini's balanced kit you still will come out ahead of the source just my 

[Moparal]

I priced a dome piston 440 source kit on the phone for 1695 . This was 2 weeks ago, not sure if they are having a sale or not.  I get my stuff balanced local for 175. 

There have been many a time where I just bought specific parts like a mopar 1053 8 bolt crank, then BME rods, and J & E pistons.  or other combos depending on performance level intended. 

[TreeFrog]

I would not do the route of a stroker...

[aris_unlimited]

I would not do the route of a stroker...

I would like a little more info as to why you feel this way. Is it just personal preference or is there a longevity or performance concern?

[Chryco Psycho]

Almost all of the engine we build now are strokers they are as cheap as rebuilding the original parts lighten up the rotating mass & still have the longevity

[TreeFrog]

I would like a little more info as to why you feel this way. Is it just personal preference or is there a longevity or performance concern?

Not my preference .. I would think fuel economy would not be as good (anyone care to address this?) I have always know them not to last as long ... now fair is fair like any engine... you build it in the back yard, or have it "engineered" big difference.

Now if you plan to do a lot of racing I would say it might be a good idea...

[Cooter]

Not my preference .. I would think fuel economy would not be as good (anyone care to address this?)

IMO, one does not build a stroker looking for fuel economy....There's only one reason one builds a stroker....


Bigger engine= more power....more power= less fuel economy....If fuel economy is the primary concern in the musclecar world, then ther's always the Neon,cobalt,Honda Civic, Mits. Eclipse, etc.....

[Chryco Psycho]

with the right parts picked out as a package I bet you would increase both efficiency & milage , we did a 512 " with an OD 833 & it has been averaging 18 MPG [can gallon] on the highway

[TreeFrog]

IMO, one does not build a stroker looking for fuel economy....There's only one reason one builds a stroker....


Bigger engine= more power....more power= less fuel economy....If fuel economy is the primary concern in the musclecar world, then ther's always the Neon,cobalt,Honda Civic, Mits. Eclipse, etc.....

agreed.  That is why I said if you plan to race it...  In my world I might race a little, but mostly up and down the street.  So if he wants to hot rod it... go for it.

if he wants to drive it daily ... I would think fuel economy would be a factor.
I imagine you could do a "small stroker" just to change comprssion and such ... might be a middle of the road deal....but then again ...why?

[Cooter]

Again, IMO, there's only one reason to build a stroker and it isn't for a daily driver....I don't daily drive any of these type cars that I own because of idiots texting on cell phones or the soccer mom weaving in and out of traffic with a mini'van full of offspring.....I build strokers for what they are for..Makiing power...People are always trying to push the envelope when it comes to having their cake and eating it too..We've come along way in this areana, but we haven't made an engine that will make 1000 HP. outrun everything on the street, road race with the best of 'em, be able to drive it daily, idle in traffic and not overheat, and get 50 MPG at the same time....I applaude anybody that tries this, but Prefer to allow nature to take it's own course and the treehuggers with their "green" cars can simply drive 'em..This only allows more fuel for my gas guzzling beasts...

[1970 RT Challenger 1970]

I would not do the route of a stroker...

There's no Replacement for Displacement!

[aris_unlimited]

Again, IMO, there's only one reason to build a stroker and it isn't for a daily driver....I don't daily drive any of these type cars that I own because of idiots texting on cell phones or the soccer mom weaving in and out of traffic with a mini'van full of offspring.....I build strokers for what they are for..Makiing power...People are always trying to push the envelope when it comes to having their cake and eating it too..We've come along way in this areana, but we haven't made an engine that will make 1000 HP. outrun everything on the street, road race with the best of 'em, be able to drive it daily, idle in traffic and not overheat, and get 50 MPG at the same time....I applaude anybody that tries this, but Prefer to allow nature to take it's own course and the treehuggers with their "green" cars can simply drive 'em..This only allows more fuel for my gas guzzling beasts...

I believe you are overexagerating quite a bit there. My goal is to make a 440 (or bigger with a stroker kit if needed) that has 500 hp (very doable from what I have read) and hopefully hit somewhere close to 20 mpg on the highway (which could also be attainable with a tko600 transmission and a properly geared rear end.