slimjim
Well-Known Member
Hey how many miles would a properly built 416 stroker( all forged bottom end) last? It seems like a lot of money for an engine that may not last that long. Anyone have any high mileage strokers?
Well the BBM might handle more stroke better than the SBM since the deck is taller.
Problem with stroking is the pistons are very short and can rock easier in the bore. Compounded with the increase stroke which has to wear the bore out quicker than a stock stroke 3.31 and it can turn in to an oil burner before its time.
Think back to when the LA engines were coming out in the 1960's. What did deep pocket Mopar to to increase the power of the 273 engines? Did they increase the stroke--well not till 1971 and then it just went up to 3.58 and all those engines were stuff in cars and trucks with 2.94/3.23 gears.
The 3.55--3.91, 4.10 cars got the 340 which has the same stroke as the 273 but much larger pistons.
I can't believe if a 4 inch stroke would last as long why Mopar didn't ever use it? Heck around 1980 MP sold a crank with more stroke then the 340 but less then the 360. It gave 355 CI in a 340 standard bore block, was for circle class racing.
Sure keeping the rpm's under 5,500 would help a stroker but then your giving up rpm for what? Nothing wrong with rev's if the stroke isn't too much, why Mopar used 3.31 for the 340 and GM used 3.25 stroke for the 327 and Ford used only 3 inch stroke for its boss 302. For the 340 de stroker cranks were sold to limit the engines CI to 305...no winning racer keep the 3.31 stroke and sleeved the bore for smaller pistons. No need, want more torque, increasing the gearing was the winning way to do it.
Those stock 340, 327, 302 engines lasted a long time if maintain, they mostly still around in the late 70's--and not pouring blue smoke out the tail pipes. The front end might have been hit a few times, LOL. Those old cars look tougher the more they got hit in front. Ah good old days before the bs air bags came around..
Strokers are like air bags, some new gimmick that some people swear by and some don't. I fall in the don't like it camp. Too easy, doesn't make sense. You want more stroke get a BBM with a taller deck hight to allow a longer skirt piston...you want more protection install a roll bar and wear a helmet, like NASCAR does.
What mechanical engineers call a square engine has equal bore and stroke.
Historicly, those engines have been the longest lived. Those would not produce 1 horse power per cubic inch displacemnt though. Their avaerage was closer to 3/4 hp per cid.
Wouldn't that suggest that a stroker 360 (4 inch bore with a 4 inch stroke) would last longer than a non stroker? And dont most stroker 360 make around 400 hp, more than 3/4 hp per cubic inch, closer to 1hp per cubic inch. Not trying to be a smart alek but I am curious
hmm if a forced induction setup will produce more hp and tq AND last longer than a stroker thennn.... twin turbo it is. ive only got to worry about tuning that freakin blow-thru carb. thats better than fearing for piston slap i guess