stroker or not

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trbodrt

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I'm back and forth deciding should i build a 390 or a 408 or just a bulletproof 360, It will be mostly for street, looking to make at least 400 on pump gas with stock 360 heads with 2.02's. Just looking for some opinions and build specs to help make my decision. what do you guys think?
 
maybe this will get this going.i am no expert but 400+ horse should be easy to get from a 360 and last logner than a stroker. also cheaper. less torq.
 
Yes I,m with Cudaman,you can get 400hp out of a 360 with the right head work,intake and carb.Also a nice cam will achieve your goals easy.
 
I have have a 390 stroker in my dart that i drive on the street and love it.
It runs 12.20 in the 1/4 with mufflers and street tires and I cruise it on the street. I have 6000 miles on the motor now with no problems. I will say a stroker small block has a unique sound to them.


My combo
1971 318 block .60 over
4" egale forged crank
KB 11.5 to 1 forged pistons
all balanced
eddy heads
525 lift hyd comp cam.
eddy roller rockers
eddy intake
850 holley carb
3600 stall converter
727 tran
4.10 gears
 
I'm back and forth deciding should i build a 390 or a 408 or just a bulletproof 360, It will be mostly for street, looking to make at least 400 on pump gas with stock 360 heads with 2.02's. Just looking for some opinions and build specs to help make my decision. what do you guys think?
IMO the heads are gonna be your biggest headache.. unless you WAY overcam the engine. then you should hit 400hp. something like a Comp XE284HL cam should do it with pump gas. what kinda compression ratio do you want? I'd go 10:1 min.
 
I was thinking 10:1 max, just wondering if a non stroked motor will last longer.
 
I was thinking 10:1 max, just wondering if a non stroked motor will last longer.

Stroked or not stroked built right either motor will be fine,i have a pretty well built 360 and i'm redoing my 416..can't wait to get the stroker back:-D:-D
 
A 360 will make 400 hp with a little work done properly and the correct cam, intake, carb., and headers. But the stroker will make it easier on lower compression and idle better doing it. Since stroker's are more cubic inches figure on more head work or better heads because they need to breath. You won't need as low gearing and as loose of a converter with a stroker built similar to a 360. BTW: Unless you have good 93 octane near you 10:1 is about as high as you can go with open chambered 360 heads which I assume is what you plan on using. My 360 figured out at 9.9 to 1 and I have to keep the timing at no more than 34 degrees with 93 octane. As far as a non stroker lasting longer, it probably will but I don't think there'd be a huge difference. Numerous engines have rod ratio's as low as a 4" stroker Mopar and last plenty long. Stroker's make their power lower in rpm's so there's no need to wind it out to 6500~7000 like you might with a 318/340 or 360. You can also run taller gears with a stroker because of the higher torque output. JMHO
 

I'm back and forth deciding should i build a 390 or a 408 or just a bulletproof 360, It will be mostly for street, looking to make at least 400 on pump gas with stock 360 heads with 2.02's. Just looking for some opinions and build specs to help make my decision. what do you guys think?

From a reliability standpoint, either will last longer than you probably want it too before boredom sets in and you rip it back apart for more HP or just for fun!!
More importantly is what is the application and intended purpose?
 
360 +.030, with speed pro #116 flat tops, zero decked, stock crank & rods, stock heads pocket ported, gasket matched 2.02 intake. mill it to about 64 cc or so, giving you around 10.5 cr, rpm manifold or small single plane, 750/to 850 carb will give you 425hp, with a cam in the 240 @.050 range. i've been running this setup for 7 years now, traction not HP is going to be the problem on the street or track, unless you run slicks or dot drag radials all the time.
 
so pretty much easier power with the stroker at a lower compression. Just more money. Would the 390 be okay to run without a 4 bolt main set up; or should stock main caps be fine, should it have all forged internals or just rods (H beam or I beam) and pistons?
 
so pretty much easier power with the stroker at a lower compression. Just more money. Would the 390 be okay to run without a 4 bolt main set up; or should stock main caps be fine, should it have all forged internals or just rods (H beam or I beam) and pistons?

My personal opinion is 4 bolt mains are of little value cause it weakens the block drilling the extra holes. Only the race blocks have strong enough webs to benefit from 4 bolt mains. Small block Mopar mains are plenty beefy so they don't really need 4 bolt mains until you get way up in hp. Therefore stock main caps are fine but install ARP bolts or studs and have it line honed to make sure they are good and straight and tight.

Forged pistons are a real good idea since the piston speed if pretty high on a stroker. Good aftermarket rods are also a good idea mainly because they barely cost more than getting a set of stock rods re-done with ARP bolts installed and they are usually lighter which reduces stress on the crank. I beams are fine for what your doing. A cast crank is fine if your just looking for 400 hp. JMHO
 
If you`re already going to buy pistons I would say go ahead and do the stroker. The extra cubes will make a lot of power easily. The stroker will last plenty long if you are meticulously clean when putting it together, blueprint and balance the engine, and maintain it well once it`s together.
 
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