408 stroker vs. 500 stroker Challenge fun!!

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73 408 Duster

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Hey guys and gals I have been around here for awhile now, thanks for all the information! Just picked up a 72 Demon that will be getting the pro-touring / rotisserie treatment. My dilemma being the engine and transmission choice I currently have an early 360/727 and a 1968 440hp/727 setting on pallets in the garage anyways, wanted to have some fun and see what you think about stroking these to either a 408 or 500. I have my ideas but they are about as clear as mud at this point so please share yours!

The Challenge: Come up with the baddest all around strip/street engine/transmission combo you can for $5,000 budget, not counting the cores which I already have. Lets have some fun, go!:mrgreen:
 
Guess it all depends on which parts you have the most of(sb or bb)?A stroker crank in the 440 will make gobbs of torque and HP,as will the sb stroker.Which K-frame do you have?SB or BB K??I know from my own experience,it sure is fun spanking BB Chebbies at the track with a Mopar SB.Good luck whichever route you choose.
 
Small block stroker would be my choice for the best all-round street/strip handler due to less weight on the front end.
Sorry, don't have a specific build recipe for you within your $5K budget but I'll be keeping an eye on this thread since I'm in "build mode" as well.
 
A SB will fit better and have a lot more part options (ie headers, heads, intakes, cams) then a BB, 5k might be a little conservative.
 
First let me say that I admire your goal of making this a fire breathing street mostly/strip car but I think that your 5K limit might be a little conservative even just for the tranny and engine. To build the tranny to take the extra torque of a stroked SB or BB I would budget for 1-2K. This would include the Red bands, steel drum, bolt in sprag, shift kit, extra capacity oil pan and a good name brand high stall converter (6-800$'s). Then figure in a set of either TTI or fenderwell headers (the bigger the better remember it's a stroker) and you're approaching 3K. Now we're into the engine stroker kit, aluminum heads (tons of choices there), camshaft (solid roller), roller rockers, intake, carb, high volume oil pump, high volume water pump, aluminum rad cuss she's going to make lots of heat, see where I'm headed. Personally I'd be looking closer to 8K.
If you want to leave "bad assed" and "fire breathing" out of the build then you might be able to go the budget build route but she'll be awful tight. IMHO
 
demon seed said:
First let me say that I admire your goal of making this a fire breathing street mostly/strip car but I think that your 5K limit might be a little conservative even just for the tranny and engine. To build the tranny to take the extra torque of a stroked SB or BB I would budget for 1-2K. This would include the Red bands, steel drum, bolt in sprag, shift kit, extra capacity oil pan and a good name brand high stall converter (6-800$'s). Then figure in a set of either TTI or fenderwell headers (the bigger the better remember it's a stroker) and you're approaching 3K. Now we're into the engine stroker kit, aluminum heads (tons of choices there), camshaft (solid roller), roller rockers, intake, carb, high volume oil pump, high volume water pump, aluminum rad cuss she's going to make lots of heat, see where I'm headed. Personally I'd be looking closer to 8K.
If you want to leave "bad assed" and "fire breathing" out of the build then you might be able to go the budget build route but she'll be awful tight. IMHO
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Hughes 500 stroker kit for 2k, machine work and remaining parts 2k, tranny 1k.I don't see why you cant get 500 hp using 906 mildly worked heads. 500 plus flywheel hp should get you into the 11's easy in a 3000 lb car.
 
This might be impossible with a budget of only $5000. Why go rotisserie resto but only $5000 on the driveline? I've got more than that in just my engine! I'd go stock stroke smallblock. Cheaper.
 
I don't think it's possible on that budget for a small block. I can see it being done with a big block, but not a small block.
 
Love the repiles, not suppose to be easy this is why it is a challenge! Now to answer a few questions. I am wide open for ideas, I have access to both k frames and mounts already, both motors and transmissions are complete stockers. As far as the budget is concerned there is a little room but we have to start somewhere. Personal goal of a 100 horsepower for every thousand spent. Lets see some recipies please, whatever we come up with collectively will be built.
Thanks for participating:glasses8:
 
i have 10 grand in my 408 stroker you see in my avatar....definitely could have been done for 8, but figure 2 thousand of that is going on the dyno 2 times, (2 setup fees) and an engine tear down, (diagnosing the problem, and replacing the bad lifter that was brand new)...and a brand new demon carb that needed to be rebuilt, rejetted, and gone through..ill give you my combo shortly. gotta go to store.
 
Now that depends on parts. If you bought ALL brand new no way. But sure if you are can score some race parts used but good sure.
 
All new, 4" small block or 4.15/4.25 RB for $5K? Never going to happen. Not for a running engine, in the car, making any sort of power. You almost have enough for a decent small block stroker with a flat tappet cam. You're about $2K light for a stroked big block, and you haven't put the rear in it yet. With a 500" and any real tire, you need a dana for long term. I just dont see it. IMO, concentrate on the body and chassis, brakes, suspension, fuel and cooling systems, etc. Stick a basic 360/727 combo in it to get it running, then consider the options. In todays world you dont need to change the K frame. So build the car, get it running and debugged, and save up some cash for the real powertrain.
 
for big block go to 440 source i think they make 572 kit for big block i have the 500 cube kit for 5 years know no problems go to a solid roller engin way better throttle response air gap intake qf carb 850 and up size wise i just bilt a small block for 12 grand 426 though is awsome but you will buld a big bolck cheaper and go with eddey heads but i think your price is a little off your looking at aleast 3500-4500 engin alone there is a tranny company going to get you the name later tranny cost me 1800 for it but life time warrnanty what gear you got and what power band you looking for 2500-6500 or higher,it all going to need to be a combo ????????
 
Sorry,
I just can't see the 500hp on a $5K budget for either Engine platform, doing things anywhere near "properly",
and especially,
if a guy is thinking about driving it like he's mad at it, after it's built ?

There just is NOT any "magic" to be had ?

Garbage IN = Garbage OUT
 
You can do 500hp in a SBM for 5K, No Carb or ignition. I have done it.

You need to shop for all your parts and be patient. It takes alot of time doing the shopping I can tell you that. It is almost better just to spend more and getrrrr dunnn.
 
I will be building a 408 over next winter and I have budgeted $7500 for the build. And that is using my existing block, intake and ignition.
 
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