Stroker Smallblock cost

1st off, let me apoligize for the long post.

OK 64 Cuda one of the most important things to look at is the exhaust. You are right for getting this out in the open. It needs to get out! Look at the size of even a stock big block exhaust manifold. You basicly are taking a small block to a big block. The stock stuff wont get it, and small headers help, but more is better to a point, and it needs to be opened up. I to have an early A body too. I know that they are a lot, but you should look into the step-up TTI headers for the early A body with 3" exhaust. Or make your own. I think that the strokers need to be treated like a big block. They can handle more cam because of the rod to crank piston speeds and ratios. With the long stroke the volume of air in the cylinder needs to get out, also with the increase stroke you have more time. It all comes down to Suck Squeeze Bang & Blow and the timing of when things happen. And yes 500-550 HP is very doable with even decent modified iron heads. Here is a link on another post to a 64 Dart with good TTI headers. http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=16092&page=3

Think of it this way, when the piston is on the down stroke, intake valve open, it is like hypodermic needle pulling suction to get air/fuel into the cylinder to fill the voided space, this is also in part affected by the exhaust exiting. So when the cam overlap is designed to a point where the exhaust is still a little open and on the closing position, while the intake is just opening, you get even more of a pull of the exhaust gases exiting and thus helping the intake to breathe better. Overlap.

It is for sure a science. To much duration (cam overlap) loss of low end torque, low vacuum etc. But at a point of high RPM depends on the cam grind etc. you can make a lot of HP because the timing is right for things to happen again. Well all things being designed to eliminate bottle necks. That’s why crotch rockets spin 10K +. They make little power off idle compared to my Harley. Which it turn is like a Mopar, more stroke more torque, and does not have to spin to high, will live longer etc. Heck even a slant 6 has a long stroke.

I think that this is something I have seen for more than 30 years. If for example you take any engine, any 318, 340, 416, 440 etc. All things being equal in terms of compression, fuel type etc. The more cam and head flowing you can produce = more HP but at a higher RPM (unless you squize it harder)and thus a loss of low end torque. So how do we keep the low end for the street when you are not going to live at 4k-7k all the time?

Well no replacement for displacement. That is why Mopar had Darts etc with 273,318,340, then 383 & 440s etc. You get tons of torque just by adding size. And yes many of these engines had better cams heads etc. But you already know this right.

So what I see is very cool today is that you can now have the torque minus the weight and size of a big block in a small package. Well except that even though the big block is heavier, the force of a larger rod/piston crank in a 440, once it gets spinning is HUGE! Now we got the guys stroking and building them to ... well that is another topic!

I think the stroker small block is an awesome thing. Just use the better parts so it holds together, don’t get to crazy on the cam for the street. You should have so much low end you will burn the tires off of the Cuda...

Guys, in my 64 Dart GT, I bought this car in 74 when I was 14 with my dads help. Anyway I built the hell out of the 273, did 4 speeds, went through 18 clutches in two years of drag racing, and broke 4 8 3/4 rear end combos, ended up with a 727 manual VB. I tore the engine apart many times changing cams etc. And for the last time in 4 years, back in 79 sunk 6k into the 273. It could run all day at 8k. Was crap on the low end, idled at 3k with barley 2" vac. It was great on a track & circle track. I ran it at Ontario Motor Speedway with the pedal to the metal around the track. Just like a NASCAR driver. Car lived in the 7500 rpm range and was fast! But on the street with enough gears and AV gas the honest to GOD best times were 13.53 in the 1/4 @ 103mph, but it could punch out 0-60 in 3.8 secs when I had the 4.30 gear in it. Yes I could out run most guys light to light, but it was not practical. The issue was I did not have the torque in this little engine to pull hard enough long enough. It seemed once I got into 3rd and around 80-90 mph it was working. And I ran custom 13:1 pistons the works. Small bore limited valve size, but a blower would have been the answer to force it in the hole and make more torque. But hell I already spent too much. Could have bought a stock 340 and ran that fast with minor mods. But it was fun, and a learning experience. Also was nice taking a 273 and running faster than most 350 chebbies. Today they take these little BMWs etc stuff 6 speeds tyranny’s and live in that narrow band of power to get it to perform.

So that is what we are really are after here, is a wide range of power to deliver in only 3 or 4 gears and watch a muscle car fly! :angel9:

You guys know this is why we and I love Mopars. You see the dam stock Chevy & Ford guys get you off the line well they used too, and then here comes Mopar kicking their but at the end of the 1/4. I seen this time and time again at the Pomona drags, Orange county, hell Irwindale when I was a kid with the big block road runners getting them at the end.

So what is awesome is you are going to make this cuda really be able to launch from the line and have that torque like that big block road runner. I would build it. My new 416 is coming along great, I will have it running this early summer. I can not wait to hear it and watch my buddies 2006 Mustang he thinks is so fast go down in smoke!

You will have so much satisfaction doing the work, knowing what you have and driving the finished product! :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: