Does this constitute cheating?

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Krooser

Building Chinese Free Engines since 1959...
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Now I have three...and one more on the way.
IMG_20190609_152123.jpg
 
It is nice they are getting cheap, and available easy.
 
Here's my thoughts...

I'll run my W-2 headed 388 small block next year at my local track. I should see somewhere north of 600 hp with it...looking for 650. It DID have 575 when first built but cam technology has come a long way since 1994.

Meantime I'll be building a 'cheap' 5.7 just to see how well it does compared to my small block and all those Chebbies. The 'spec' GM motors are about 650 hp give or take. I think I can make a reliable 500hp, or a bit more, with a 5.7 and mostly stock components. If one blows I'll find the weak points.

I know the rods and cranks are supposed to be the weak links... I guess I'll find out.

My 388 engine originally cost $15,000 carb to pan...dyno'd and ready to run. If I can squeeze 600 HP out of a 'hot' 5.7 I can do it way cheaper than that. I'll likely have $4K in my small block race ready after rebuilding, and repairing, the previous damage.

The GM crate motor (604 is 400 HP) is legal where I run but not competitive on the 1/2 mile... but there are a few guys that are top five with that engine on the smaller tracks.

Time will tell.

The last 5.7 I got will get a backyard rebuild... rings, bearing, fresh valve job, cam and valve gear plus a new carb intake and, likely a 750 carb on alky. I'll try to get the squeeze up to 12-1 to favor the methanol fuel. Should be race ready for under $2K.

That's more in line with my budget... if it blows I'll have another one to build right behind it.
 
Here's my thoughts...

I'll run my W-2 headed 388 small block next year at my local track. I should see somewhere north of 600 hp with it...looking for 650. It DID have 575 when first built but cam technology has come a long way since 1994.

Meantime I'll be building a 'cheap' 5.7 just to see how well it does compared to my small block and all those Chebbies. The 'spec' GM motors are about 650 hp give or take. I think I can make a reliable 500hp, or a bit more, with a 5.7 and mostly stock components. If one blows I'll find the weak points.

I know the rods and cranks are supposed to be the weak links... I guess I'll find out.

My 388 engine originally cost $15,000 carb to pan...dyno'd and ready to run. If I can squeeze 600 HP out of a 'hot' 5.7 I can do it way cheaper than that. I'll likely have $4K in my small block race ready after rebuilding, and repairing, the previous damage.

The GM crate motor (604 is 400 HP) is legal where I run but not competitive on the 1/2 mile... but there are a few guys that are top five with that engine on the smaller tracks.

Time will tell.

The last 5.7 I got will get a backyard rebuild... rings, bearing, fresh valve job, cam and valve gear plus a new carb intake and, likely a 750 carb on alky. I'll try to get the squeeze up to 12-1 to favor the methanol fuel. Should be race ready for under $2K.

That's more in line with my budget... if it blows I'll have another one to build right behind it.
Before Mike Liston of MRL quit the machining business and the forum, he, some of the of the other builders and others chimed in about bbuilding the Hemi's. They referenced some weak point that I simply cannot remember as something to overcome in a new gen hemi build at the level you are talking about.

If you are shooting to compete with the 600hp chevy LS's, why not start with a 6.2 or 6.4 liter hemi? stroker crank? (isn't the stroker crank real close to 4" in stroke?)
Hemi's flow best with forced induction IAW a few people and articles - are you going to utilize force induction? Like a cheap turbo kit?
 
Before Mike Liston of MRL quit the machining business and the forum, he, some of the of the other builders and others chimed in about bbuilding the Hemi's. They referenced some weak point that I simply cannot remember as something to overcome in a new gen hemi build at the level you are talking about.

If you are shooting to compete with the 600hp chevy LS's, why not start with a 6.2 or 6.4 liter hemi? stroker crank? (isn't the stroker crank real close to 4" in stroke?)
Hemi's flow best with forced induction IAW a few people and articles - are you going to utilize force induction? Like a cheap turbo kit?

I can build a 5.7 for the price of a crank or bare 6.2/6.4 block. This is a low buck deal ... no loans, no credit cards just spare cash from selling some excess parts and whatever I make working part time. Same as I'm building my small block now.

I might need to buy some pistons to get the c/r up. If I use Eagle heads I won't. I only plan on doing this old school....hone the block, new bearings, oil pump, a good circle track pan, race valve job with good valves. I'll keep the juice lifters so the revs will be under 7k. Obviously a new cam.

The factory machine work should be good enough so I can save a bunch on that unlike rebuilding our 50 year old blocks and heads.

I have a dirt track late model stock car. Few guys build on the LS platform (none in my area)... just not able to stay together. It really takes 750-800 HP to compete up front. A top ten finish every week would be a hoot. I just intend to go out and have fun... got a few more laps in me before I assume room temperature.
 
All three 5.7s? that's a nice collection you got going! I too have thought about trying to get a couple before they are hard to find like 340s and 360s are nowadays.
 
All three 5.7s? that's a nice collection you got going! I too have thought about trying to get a couple before they are hard to find like 340s and 360s are nowadays.
I figure I can sell some parts off if these to pay for the new stuff I need.

One is a 2014 with 18k on the clock. I'm going to sell that one.

One has a broken block but a repairable crank. The one I bought Saturday was running Friday! And the next one has some electrical snafu... cranks but won't start.

I paid $100.00 for two of them and the next one is $50.00. Hard to turn them down at those prices.
 
I figure I can sell some parts off if these to pay for the new stuff I need.

One is a 2014 with 18k on the clock. I'm going to sell that one.

One has a broken block but a repairable crank. The one I bought Saturday was running Friday! And the next one has some electrical snafu... cranks but won't start.

I paid $100.00 for two of them and the next one is $50.00. Hard to turn them down at those prices.
Damn wish I could find some that cheap the cheapest one I have found around here is 500 and I thought that was a good price.
 
I need to point out most of my $$$ will go to the carb intake manifold and MSD ignition controller....
 
The local yards get $250.00 for a core.

Bought the first one from a demo Derby guy who built a Durango with a SBC. Pretty common I'm told.

Got the next one from a scrapper...the one I get in two weeks is coming from a guy who's parting out his wrecked Charger.

Check Craigslist... these younger guys are scrapping better cars than I drive!
 
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