426 stroker, is it reliable?

scrappydoo said

Hi,
I was going to buy the 426 stroker from hughes, but I've seen opinions that the rings don't last long, maybe 10,000 mile. An that the 408 will only last 20,000 mile before needing new rings.
Does anyone have a long term experience with a 426 stroker motor that they could share?
I'm talking about a street motor, not a race motor.
Thanks.

Click to expand...

That's all BULL!!!!!
The story with the 426 is that the ring land on top is a little thin, so the ring gaps need to be correct, and you dont want to be a dumbass and hit it with a lot of nitrous. You're hearing stuff from people with no experience on the subject repeating what they heard from the previous moron. In an n/a application those pistons are just fine.

You can build some big power with it. It's a nice motor to build i you have no intention of any boost or nitrous. And that's not a problem because it'll run fine all by itself without anything.

The parts are all top notch. People balk about the pistons....they are probably the best pistons you can get fo the price. PERIOD. It's also a light assembly to give you quick revs, and hardly any stroke clearancing required at all because the rod big end is small and doesnt want to hit the block like a 408 with a standard journal. The rods are k1 and so is the crank. They are very good stuff. And you receive it already balanced, so it's ready to go is eveything checks out.

if there is anything you MIGHT want to do, it's maybe to stiffen up the bottom end with a block fill, and use studs. If you're using an r block it can be build into an awesome engine with all caution to the wind.
Keep the revs to below 6500 and it will last a very long time.
ESPECIALLY ON THE STREET.

I have an r block and that assembly sitting in boxes going into an a body.

here, read this and draw your own conclusion.
http://www.hughesengines.com/TechArticles/12feb2008smallblock426strokerdynotest.php