furrystump
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Oh ran drag week in 2019 with it. Average 12.0 with it because it was HOT! 90+ degrees
small block stroker longevity
- Thread starter mgoblue9798
- Start date
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Johnny Dart
Well-Known Member
Am I the only one wondering why you would want a 408 in a motor home ?
Why not just build a nice 360 with an RV cam ?
Save the 408 for a street car.
Why not just build a nice 360 with an RV cam ?
Save the 408 for a street car.
To each his own I guess. I would be much more likely to do the opposite and build a hot 360 for a car. Pulling a heavy load is all about torque at low rpm. Stroker does that better than any 360 ever could.
If this were an RV that was going to be used 2 or 3 weekends a year like most, I probably would settle. I plan on several long extended trips though, for months at a time traveling most of this great country. I even plan to run it all the way up to Alaska-during the summer of course.
Johnny Dart
Well-Known Member
To each his own I guess. I would be much more likely to do the opposite and build a hot 360 for a car. Pulling a heavy load is all about torque at low rpm. Stroker does that better than any 360 ever could.
If this were an RV that was going to be used 2 or 3 weekends a year like most, I probably would settle. I plan on several long extended trips though, for months at a time traveling most of this great country. I even plan to run it all the way up to Alaska-during the summer of course.
The question you brought up, was longevity.
My money would be on a stock 360 outlasting a 408
in everyday use. Especially in a motor home. My .02
yellow rose
Overnight Sensation
To each his own I guess. I would be much more likely to do the opposite and build a hot 360 for a car. Pulling a heavy load is all about torque at low rpm. Stroker does that better than any 360 ever could.
If this were an RV that was going to be used 2 or 3 weekends a year like most, I probably would settle. I plan on several long extended trips though, for months at a time traveling most of this great country. I even plan to run it all the way up to Alaska-during the summer of course.
That Stroker should live as long as anything else if you keep the oil clean, the coolant temps in check, don’t beat it to death with detonation and you don’t shift it at 7000 on every gear change.
I can’t see why 100k isn’t expected. Keep the piston speed down, control the temp pulling long hills (most guys don’t think they should ever have to pull the shift handle off the D and the exhaust temps soar like an Eagle and that kills parts) and that thing should live like anything else.
yellow rose
Overnight Sensation
I appreciate the input. I can't say for sure which would be best.
Under normal circumstances the 360 would be the long play. I less sure of that when it would be pulling 1000 rpm plus more to do the same work as a stoker in a class A motorhome. That is the reason I am asking about the miles a stroker can run. I think the tradeoff might be close to the same, but wanted to look before I leap.
One other piece of info that earlier post about the v10 reminded me about- they have a 3.88 stroke.
Yes sir anything that is abused won't last long. I already bought a gear vendors overdrive so I guess that shows I have sense enough to use gearing as needed. I also won't be in race to the top of any mountains, and can if needed make a pit stop to let things cool down.
Just spitballing here, but I think I will buy a 6.4 hemi exhaust valve- they are sodium filled- and see if my head guy can work out the geometry. They are about .150 longer than the magnum valves. I know others have run the .100 longer LS valves.
Going to put bronze guides in the EQ's anyway. He can leave them a little long to help support the longer valve.
I think...... the thinking is the rod ratio forcing the piston harder on the wall. IDK for sure. I think a 410 for a motor home is OK. More low end torque to move a way heavier vehicle down the road with ease. A Diesel engine would be great but a possible huge PIA to swap over? IDK... I do see an easy route of engine family swapping to be the quickest route. Adding the extra cubic inches is a slight cost over a stout stock rebuild & worth the cost in terms of power return vs dollars spent.
We know a stroker @ 400+ with a mild cam will out torque the stock stroke engine by a good margin even with stock heads. In the vehicle being addressed here, mileage isn’t a huge concern since a stock engine will not get great mileage anyway. I don’t see a big difference happening. Might as well go for the stroker and move the vehicle easier.
My ‘03 Dodge Dakota is an excellent example of this. As a normal delivery, it is a V6. The V8 (5.2) EPA’ed with a mile more per gallon. Yup! The bigger engine got better mileage. Why? Because it is working less. The smaller engine was working harder to meet the same need. And we all know how well a 5.2 or a 5.9 will favorably respond to simple bolt on parts. Torque JUMPS! And it won’t use anymore fuel than before to its Detriment. The whole package just becomes more efficient.
Johnny Dart
Well-Known Member
Just thinking out loud here. I should have stated I have no experience in longetevity between the two.
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Johnny Dart
Well-Known Member
I think we could all agree that a fresh 360 will be a big improvement over the tired 318.
Got to take into account the price to build a 408 verse the price of a 360 build. I'm thinking the 408 will/should cost much more, unless you already have the necessary parts to build a stroker.
F**k it....Go big or go home. Put a bad boy 408 in that Winabego !!!!!!!!!!
Got to take into account the price to build a 408 verse the price of a 360 build. I'm thinking the 408 will/should cost much more, unless you already have the necessary parts to build a stroker.
F**k it....Go big or go home. Put a bad boy 408 in that Winabego !!!!!!!!!!
It is all good. That is what I am doing an asking others to chime in. No worries.
There is some truth to that cost. A bunch depends on the route your taking and just who is doing the work as well as how much work is needed.
On the cheap, with a 360, it’s a piston replacement, quick hone and a balancing. If the crank is good to go, no added costs.
With a stroker, add the price of a crank.
There is the big offset cost.
In kit form, it’s not that much of a difference for all brand new parts. And better ones than stock at that.
Anyone can price compare at Summit racing or Hughesengines let’s say. Or any other place that is the like.
On the cheap, with a 360, it’s a piston replacement, quick hone and a balancing. If the crank is good to go, no added costs.
With a stroker, add the price of a crank.
There is the big offset cost.
In kit form, it’s not that much of a difference for all brand new parts. And better ones than stock at that.
Anyone can price compare at Summit racing or Hughesengines let’s say. Or any other place that is the like.
I do have a couple stoker rotating assemblies and some EQ heads already. One of them is in a 360 roller block that has been punched out to .040 before I got it. I guess it is time to have it sonic checked.
JDMopar
Well-Known Member
This will be an interesting project for sure! If it's not a huge Class A, the 408 should be plenty adequate for it unless you will be pulling a heavy toad behind it. Got any pics of the beast?
This will be an interesting project for sure! If it's not a huge Class A, the 408 should be plenty adequate for it unless you will be pulling a heavy toad behind it. Got any pics of the beast?
It is 27ft, so not a monster. I'll be pulling my Dakota with a rack and my small boat on it.
These are older from the previous owner. She has been sitting for 3 years and needs a bath now.
yellow rose
Overnight Sensation
That’s why I asked. I didn’t know if rod angle, piston speed, both or some other geometry thing caused you concern.
JDMopar
Well-Known Member
That is a great looking Travco! I'd say it probably has 4.56 or 4.88 gears in it, so an OD will be a nice addition to it. My wife and I have a permanent site in Myrtle Beach Travel Park, and I heard something coming down the road by our place a few years ago...and it sounded very healthy. I walked to the front door to look out....and it was a Travco similar to yours. I looked them up a few days later and stopped to talk, and it was some folks from NY, on a big road trip like you're planning. It had a 440 in it that sounded awesome. The dude said they had been everywhere with it, and he didn't really mind buying what extra gas it might burn because there wasn't a 100K payment book attached to it....lol. If you cross the Rockies, you may have to take your time, but a 408ish stroker should do just fine.
You are right it will have either the 4.56 or 4.88. I haven't been under it yet to find out.
I'll be running a 518 and a gear vendors overdrive. Being able to split gears with the GV and have 8 speeds will help tremendously keeping the motor in the right rpm range.
I am more concerned about the brakes than anything else. Got to find a front axle for it with disc brakes.
As far as fuel mileage goes I hope to get 8-9 mpg rather than the reported 6-7 that the way low compression stock motors get. Based on the info from here and moparts, I feel better about going with the stroker now. Going to go all out and do a magnum build. Wire up the OBD2 and tune it. The kegger and serpentine setup are bonuses.
SS Lancer
Well-Known Member
Nice , I know where one of those old Dodges like u have pictured is up in Franklin NC its just setting there rotting ,
Johnny Dart
Well-Known Member
Well after seeing this land yacht, I'm thinking a 440 would be a better choice.
Now you see why I ruled out the 360. I don't see how it could get out of its own way with the 318 that is in it.
The small block package allows for easier and cheaper quench, cheap roller cam, kegger torque, factory fuel injection, and serpentine accessories that are better and much more easily found if something happens. My dakota toad will have a magnum v8 in it as well if I need to borrow parts.
That is not too far from me. Any idea what year it is or if they would sell parts?
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