Duncan_GT

So I've been talking to a couple engine builders, mainly Jim from fordstrokers, and got the opinion that the 393 idea was garbage and that I should have done a bigger motor (408, 427). Do I.......

1) Keep going with the build and see it to the finish?

2) Take Jim's advice, try to sell my shortblock and recoup some money, and purchase a 408 from fordstrokers?

I'm really stuck in the middle as to what to do. What are your opinions?

mjr46

depends......how much will you take a hit for to switch builds??? , what is your goal et wise???

Duncan_GT

I want to run 10's. i'd say I would try to sell the short block for $3000, then turn around and buy one from Jim

mjr46

where in the 10's??

reldla1996

I personally like the shorter stroke (3.85) of the 393 versus the 4.00 for the 408, or 4.18 for the 427. Any of them can run 10's, with the suspension set up more important than the difference between 393 and 427 CI. I thought really hard about going big bore with the 3.85 stroke before I finally settled on the big bore with a 3.4 stroke. No matter which way you go, it will be plenty fun, and traction will be the biggest problem on the street, regardless of which size you settle on. It's your car and your dream - do what you want to. I wanted to be a little different with mine....

Duncan_GT

High 10's, low 11's. Hopefully better with me getting used to driving it. Jim doesn't like the rod journals being bigger than the chevy rods (2.311 vs 2.1). Just stupid things I shouldve thought about before I made a decision.

I think mine is a pretty stout motor, i did the math for the surface area between the two rods, there's only a 2.83% difference. That's why I'm not really leaning towards completely starting over. Plus, from my understanding isnt a shorter rod better for higher rpm use?

mjr46

your motor should be able to reach your goal easily and I'd trust what Jim tells you.

Duncan_GT

I think the chances of me finding a buyer are pretty slim

dawson1112

Finish the build guy...Run it, enjoy it, and if you end up not liking the direction its going after its in the car , its easier to sell a running engine than a half built engine sitting on a stand in your garage. .

uedlose

Look, F what Jim says. your engine will be just fine. are the smaller journals better yes. but a 351 will go 200000 miles with them big journals. My friend Tater has a 393 it runs 10.70s. his is a cast steel crank and I beam scat rod and a 302 forged piston all of the parts were used he slammed it together with a solid roller and OTB Victor Jr heads. Car runs great and has been doing it for 4 years now. it also runs 9.80s with a NO2 shot on it. He shifts it at 6500 rpm with no issues.
There are always better set up. You built what you did it will run fine. What rod did you go with?
I did a long rod 302 years ago I wanted to run EFI Renegade(class rules & weight breaks) but life kids and the house got in the way. So I have this combo that is not the best for the street or track but it is $$$ so what the hell it is what it is run it. I have been 10.30 at over 135mph lifting at the 1000ft mark on the 10.30 run with only a 1.69 60ft. The turbo is to big for the combo and the kit is old and outdated. When it runs well in the 9s this year I will be very happy. Not bad for a set up I was told really was not ideal by a good many people and can drive anywhere I want on the street.
When what you are doing goes against the theory and works just rewrite the theory.
Run this engine and have fun then start saving for the next Dart block beast.