Let's talk 318/349/390 strokers.

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318 blocks are pretty much free and easy to find. 360 blocks harder to find and not free. Some people are on very tight budgets and want some torque so 318 stroker is appealing to them.
 
I like the 318's,they are very dependable,and the 390 stroker is just as good as the 408 and 416 strokers when it comes to torque,just difference in hp and bore size!You can do 402 too!
 
Both very true statement's above. I have to agree that if I were on a limited budget (and I am) I would go for the most abundant and cheapest source of parts,the 318. As was said,people give them away. A 318 can be a real contender with nothing more than ported 318 or 340/360 heads,4bbl headers etc. Do a few minor mods to the heads and block (cut and square) and your good to go!
 
If your building stroker 318, how much of the free 318 are you using? I still dont see how its cheaper, cause its not.. A core 360 around here at least, can be had for 100-150 all day long... different strokes for different folks, I guess!!!!
 
I have a 390 it was not cheap for the cost i could of built a 408 cheaper
the initial cost of the block is more but pistons are cheaper
 
Yes..pistons for the 408 are a bit cheaper. Some people build what they have available to them.

I don't see a gigantic difference between a properly built 390 or 408 with most of everything being equal.
 
replicaracer43 said:
Why in the world would anybody build a stroker 318 at 349 cubic inches, when you could build a stock stroke 360, and have cheaper, bigger engine, with less bore shrouding? Makes no sense
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I was wondering that myself.
What advantage would there be other than using a 318 block you already have?
 
Dartnut said:
I was wondering that myself.
What advantage would there be other than using a 318 block you already have?
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A whole lots of fun... i have two 318 in my grage just setting .. been trying to talk my son in to buliding on for his dakota. that would be a blast. and some fun too. to tell someone you just got blowing away buy a 318.. i call that fun..
 
once you build a stroker, its no longer a 318, its just a stroker with a smaller and more valve shrouding bore....
 
390 stroker , A Body aussie Chrysler Valiant.

Hyd roller cam , 393 RWHP, 11.16 @ 124 - 3700lbs

..and shrouded bores............

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK-p17--PaM"]CHRYSLER BY CHRYSLER - YouTube[/ame]
 
phhht. Shrouded bore ..Myth or reality? Honestly,the little chev motor has the same problem and never seems to be bothered that much by it?
 
Yeah the comments about shroud is an issue but how much?Besides I've read that a 318 can handle a 4" bore(never done it myself).
 
Sonic check the bores go to 4" if they are thick enough and just use stock bore 360 pistons but why?. I would build a 4" stroke if I was building it. I agree with just getting a 360 if you you are going with 3.58" stroke.
 
That is my whole point, why in the world build a smaller motor, at extra exspense, when a stock stroke 360 would be cheaper and easier.. I understand if you have a 318 block, and you cant get a good 360 block, or if you wanna use your 318 block so you can still call it a 318.. And the bore shrouding is no myth, it is FACT, part of the reason our smallblocks make good cheap power, is in the 18 degree valve angle, which opens more on center than a typical 23 degree chevy, that makes a difference, because it moves the valve AWAY from the cylinder wall as they open, alowing more flow when the head is actually bolted on a motor... Now with thats being said.. will your stroked 318 make good power? YES!!!! and dont forget, even a stock 340 has bigger main caps than your 318, Mopar must have figured there was a need for them..
 
and your LS1 chevy motor your talking about, has a 15 degree valve angle, and smaller valves, which means...............wait for it.................................................LESS BORE SHROUDING!!!!!
 
Inexpensive stroker I'll try soon. 360 turned down to Chev rod dia., 6" Chev rod with .060" over 283 piston (3.935") 1.805" compression height.

1/2 crank = 1.79"
rod = 6.00"
piston = 1.805"
total = 9.595" (.005") below deck.
The aluminum dosn't know if it's Chev or Dodge, and this Chevy stuff is cheaper than dog food.
 
Nobodys being a nay-sayer, just pointing out some technical facts... and there are TONS of stock stroke 340s and 360s that make that kind of power, and run those kind of times, and I think there are some stock stroke 318s in the 10s as well, so what does that prove? I will stick to my point, which is a 349 stroker is more exspensive than a stock stroke 360, and equally prepared, the 349 aint gonna be a better choice, or cheaper. Sure its cool, and you can tell everone you got a 318, I get that. I aint gonna debate this no more, different strokes for different folks!!!!!!!!:cheers:
 
Some great point's on bore shrouding. I had completely forgotten about the angle of the valves,so thanks for that!
 
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