Krooser
Building Chinese Free Engines since 1959...
Now I have three...and one more on the way.
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.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?
I figure I can sell some parts off if these to pay for the new stuff I need.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.
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 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 paid $100.00 for two of them and the next one is $50.00. Hard to turn them down at those prices.