Might as well is the right answer! especially for the 408!

 

Something to think about. The difference in a 383 and a 409 stroker in horsepower is not much. I would gain 3 horsepower simply changing my 383 to a 409 and the power band and redline would move down about 500rpm. You could probably do a little better with some massive heads, but they are hard to find for a small block. I am running 205cc heads now with 2.08 intake valves. You can spin the 383 higher than a 409. You have more stress on the block, rods, crank, etc with a 409 due to the longer stroke. The 409 increases torque but much of it is below 3000 rpm, assuming the same cam. My motor does not see under 3000rpm unless I am at a stop light. Longer stroke motors are great for increasing torque but at some point, you have to ask yourself if you are increasing the torque in usable rpm space. A big stroker in a truck is great, but in a light weight car, it does not make much sense unless you can plan the power. I love my 383 stroker, but you have to do some serious work to get the power to plant down low or you will just blow the tires up in smoke. I can still haze the street slicks, so why would I want to smoke them even more? You can alway make up for less torque by spinning the motor higher and in many cases, that is more usable power based on your traction, suspension, etc. I encourage you to play with a dyno/engine design program like DynoSim. It really opened my eyes.

 

That what I was thinking, but no one brought it up.

The minuscule difference in power is not enough to justify using the 408 over the 393 or 383, in term of durability.


Thanks UB

 

ditto

 

My vote is for the 393

 

hey nick, i cant remember sorry i havent been around the boards much for a while...but have you already got a 351 in that thing?

Its a 65 isnt it? if its still a 289/302, you're looking at a whole different ball game - 331 or 347 being the most common and either of them will provide you with plenty of entertainment

i agree with urb - big stroker + light car means big $ making sure you can plant it to the ground and stop the thing too! Just ask Dodgestang - he's got a 408C in his fastback and its taken a lot of development to stop stuff breaking elsewhere.

 

i added big breaks in anticipation of engine mods down the road. i hope to go 351 eventually. i actually have a 351c that need to be thrown back together, along with my close ratio top loader i think it will make a formidable ride.

 

Nothing is in right now. The 351w is sitting on the stand next to the car.

I already have a battle plan for it. I will get the strongest T5 Modern Driveline has, then a new 3rd member in the back 8", new axels, a strong drive shaft, will get some chassis stiffeners so I dont rip the body apart, some traction masters, just got some wide rubbers.

As long as I dont go out and floor it I think I will be fine. Plus, im mean...500hp....why would you need to floor it.

 

Oh, and alot of suspension stuff.

 

Did you say 8" rearend? Might want to rethink that...