Is a 440 stroker worth the extra cash?

[torqueaddict]

I have been thinking, with the hp and torque I want I can probably get those #'s from a non stroked 440. I got a 78 block stealth heads a stock crank and stock rods. I am considering fuel injection but I think I can get 450-500 hp with 500+ torque is doable from what I have been told. My machine man told me that I would have to get a real lopey cam to get max power from a stroker and I dont really want that. I also have been concerned with the durability of a stroker too, will they last considering they are not  from the factory. Let me know what you guys think.

[Chryco Psycho]

IMO there is no reason Not to stroke it , you remove 7 lbs from the rotating assy allowing it to rev faster & use less power internally . I see no reason why it would not last as long as a factory build assuming you stay reasonable , the 512 / 440 or the 451 /400 have long enough pistons & good rod ratios os no significant extra wear would take place .
 The Cam argument is a load of crap , the one build we did used a low duration / high lift fast ramp Lunati grind & will idle smoothly at 800 RPM , make decent vacuum , starts & idles well & made 396 RWHP & 460 ft lbs torque & gets close to 18 MPG .
 I will help you with cam grinds if you go that way .

[torqueaddict]

Chrycho I guess th big question is how much more hp can I generate with stroker asa opposed to a stock displacement?

[brads70]

I'm thinking that a 440 would have to rev higher to get the same torque #'s, and that a stroker would have  bigger and a flatter torque curve with less RPM's. And as CP mentioned with less spinning weight too!    With the price of stroker kits.... why wouldn't you sort of a thing?

[torqueaddict]

I was thinking of the power to dollar ratio. If I am only gonna get 60 or 70hp from the stroker kit is it worth it, instead of getting a forged rod and piston set-up. I forgot that with a stroker kit my torque will be flat and probably in the 500 range at any rpm level. After what Chrycho said about that build he did in his reply I am leaning more towards a stroker.

[torqueaddict]

Chrycho what stroker kit was used to get those numbers you spoke of, and do you have any details on the rest of the build like heads intake that kind of bolt on stuff?

[Chryco Psycho]

the Coronet engine is listed here in the proven combos section
we used a 512 440 source kit , 915 heads ported with larger valves , street dom intake , 10.6 -1 compression custom Lunati solid flat tappeet cam , TTI headers , (50 Proform race carb , 3" TTi exhaust 

[cudaized]

Yes! Absolutly.

My machine man told me that I would have to get a real lopey cam to get max power from a stroker

That is a load of crap. I have been driving a stroker engine since 2000. Yes, the cam is "big" relative to a non stroked engine. BUT, the larger displacment will tame a large cam shaft. It depends on the cylinder heads and your requirments of the engine. Street, Race, both...You will end up with a higher velocity intake charge when using a decent cam designed for the higher displacment.

I also have been concerned with the durability of a stroker too, will they last considering they are not  from the factory. Let me know what you guys think.

As mentioned above, 11 years and 6,000 miles later = still pulling strong.

Ola

[Schimms15]

Newer to these motors. Can some one just explain what a Steiner is and does? Thanks.

[RDF]

I have a 440 stroked to a 493...452 heads, larger valves, yadda, yadda, yadda....motor is still not in the car but I was in your shoes a couple of years ago when I considered building my motor....now that I look back on it and talk to dozens of people about my motor, I wouldn't have done it any other way.

[Chryco Psycho]

no reason not to do the stroker , the cost to do a stock rebuild will cost nearly as much  the stroker is a natural build with a flatter power curve & more efficient use of fuel as there is less weight to accelerate , . No downside .

[PlumCraZRT]

As mentioned above, 11 years and 6,000 miles later = still pulling strong.

Did you mean 60,000?  6,000 is like 3 oil changes.

the Coronet engine is listed here in the proven combos section
we used a 512 440 source kit , 915 heads ported with larger valves , street dom intake , 10.6 -1 compression custom Lunati solid flat tappeet cam , TTI headers , (50 Proform race carb , 3" TTi exhaust

You know what the cam specs were?  The post said "Lunati solid cam about 580/245".  I'm guessing a symmetric lobe, but you remember what LSA?

Thanks,
Evan

[Chryco Psycho]

I can get the exact specs for that cam or we can design 1 tailored to you needs
 we used headers so it was ground on a 110 CL with 240-250 @ .050 duration & lift between .550-.580

[PlumCraZRT]

I can get the exact specs for that cam or we can design 1 tailored to you needs
 we used headers so it was ground on a 110 CL with 240-250 @ .050 duration & lift between .550-.580

Not to totally highjack the thread, but I have been reviewing the cam that was selected for my 451 stroker and I am concerned (trying not to worry) that there will not be enough vacuum for brakes, etc.  It's a Comp custom cam... The cam we ordered was 248@.050/254@.050, .531/.540 lift, 112 LSA.  The engine is quite a bit smaller than what you built, but the cam is too.

[Chryco Psycho]

I assume this is a solid flat tappet not a roller ? Actually your cam is as big as the ones I use ,the duration profile is the same or slightly longer than the cam I used even though the lift is less , lift really doesn't count , it doesn't affect the way the engine runs , you will have about 8" of vacuum I believe possibly a bit higher using the 112 CL , although I am not sure why you went with that unless you are running iron manifolds , a similar Lunati cam would have been over .580 lift