Small block strokers. Your findings.

Woody I don't have a stroker yet but I'm planning on building one this fall. I too have heard lots of iffy things about MP crate engines. I'm gonna do one myself. If you do it your self you should be able to beat the crate engine price considerably and know for sure what has been done to it. I don't have the figures in front of me but I'm sure it isn't going to go over $2800 for everything in the short block including buying the block (which I did for $100). I haven't seen a crate short block under $3100 lately so it's a few hundred saved although I do have to do the work myself. The one I'm planning is going to have main studs and line honed, decked, and internally balanced. These are things you don't usually see on a crate engine. If the block is reasonably straight they just rebuild it.

BTW: You probably don't need gears that low unless you have really tall tires. I have a 3000 stall in a 727 and 27.1" tires and 4:11's. I'm taking the 4:11's out of my car this week and putting in 3:73's to make it more streetable. The way it is the 360 will smoke the hides with ease so I'm sure with a stroker and 3:73's it be at least the same. With 3:73's at least it won't be spinning 3400 rpm at 60 mph.

Sorry Woody I overlooked where you said you can't do it yourself. That will probably make the cost as much or more than a crate engine but if your mechanic buddy is trustworthy I'd go with somebody I know over an unknown even if the cost is a little more.