[firestone]

I think there is a misconception about short stroke motors "rapping up faster" than longer stroke motors. An engines ability to gain RPM is limited by its ability to accelerate the car. Given the same conditions as far as gearing and stall goes, in the same car, a motor with more torque and hp will accelerate the car faster and therefore rapp up faster. I think that it seems like short stroke motors rapp up faster because they are usually run with more stall and a higher ratio gear than with motors stroked in the other direction. If you run a 5.13 gear and a 5000 stall with a 377 destroked 400, and a 3.55 gear with a 3500 stall with a 421 stroker, the shorter stroke motor will rapp up alot quicker, but not because it has a shorter stroke, it is because of the stall and gear. Also, even though it is rapping up quicker, it will probably not win the race given the same parts. Even though the longer stroke motor is not gaining RPM as quickly, because of the gear ratio, the car can still be accelerating more rapidly.

Adam

 

[ap72]

You can easily build a 450hp 383 on a budget. You can even build one to run on 87 octane. I would go with 5.7" rods for the aditional piston stability and increased longevity of the engine. I have plans for a 383 that is going in my TA, all total it'll run a little under $2500 (already have a complete 350) and make killer torque on cheap gas.

 

[xntrik]

"Most people worry too much about horsepower and not enough about getting down the track." Evan J. Smith, MM & FF magazine editor.

(Think about what those STOCK 5.0 Mustangers did to drag racing :mwink: tickling the 12s at 3500+ pounds)

If the average performance engine will make one horsepower per cubic inch, then the 406 is 56 hp ahead of 350 right off the bat.

I agree with Rick.
THERE AIN'T NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT. period :thumbup:

 

[xntrik]

i am considering a 377 just to see how well it performs. I am probably the least educated guy posting here. I have a 358 in my car now. I am going on the theory that the 302 ran extemely well on the street. My car is basically a street car except for an occasional trip to the strip for tune and time night. I feel that a street car is already moving and I like the fact that i can get alot of rpm's while I am in motion. I feel with the big bore and the short stroke I can get my 377 to accelarate faster with the short stroke. this is just a thought and will accept criticism well. Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated. thank you novacaine

For the 302 chevy lovers... why not a 352 chevy? That should wind high, have looooong rods, and big valves.

(That's a 30 over 400 with a 327 crankshaft)

It has been done, more than once...... :thumbup: but it won't run with a 406.

When you get way up there in rpm, the valve train becomes the limiting factor... directly proportional to MONEY INVESTED and how often you have to replace all of it...... Lower rpm makes stuff last significantly longer. And as it has been said..... time is money.

 

[Haulin327]

The c.u. displacement is all about your application. Don't know that much about drag motors, but the most popular combo for the top dirt late model racers right now is a 388 c.u. for 1/4 to 3/8 mile tracks. This is done with a 4.125 bore and a stroke somewhere around 3.5. Most of these guys have a 406 or bigger for tracks larger than 3/8 mile. These motors usually have a SB2.2 or 18 degree top end. The reason the 377's and 388's work so well on a 1/4 and 3/8 mile track is because they don't spin the tires so much coming off the corners but have plenty of horsepower to get you down the strait away.

Their we go! Great Point!
another thing about mucho torque....breaks driveline...

 

[NAIRB]

One thing that should be taken into consideration is cost and availability. I like a 350 based engine just for the sake of simplicity. It's easy to find a 96-99 880 block that is in cherry condition, and make a very powerful, cheap and simple engine.

400 small blocks are tough to find, and many of them have been through the ringer.

Get a 454 if you want to go really fast, really easy.

 

[bigbadbowtie]

10's on just a little bit of spray are also obtainable on pump gas.

In this case bigger is better. If you can find a 400 block go 400-406. I say 383 if you can't find a 400 block. 350's are easy to come by in most cases.

383 rotating assemblies can be had to handle 500 hp for less than 1000 bucks.