Chevy stroker kit questions

[PeteV]

Hi Chaps,

Right - I'm in the planning phases of the next project & there is more than a reasonable chance I could persuade myself to go Chevy-powered, especially since its probably true to say that everybody should build at least one Chevy engine during their life time! So, the question is, as I would want this to be essentially a self-build engine, what are the best stroker kit options out there for the 350 - what capacity (reliably) & from whom? Looks like it could be pretty cost-effective too, especially since I might have a very cunning plan concerning a 'low-tax' way to 'import' a kit from the States


Cheers,

Pete.

[wilf]

Pete - and you have ruled out "Ford powered" because.............?

Stroker options for Ford engines too.

[Robin427]

I think boosting from a 350 to a 383 is pretty common - don't know any more than that, I'm afraid...

...oh, and if I were in your position I'd buy a Chevy just to piss off Wilf!!!

[Clarkson]

Wilf, can you please stop swearing in this forum!! No need for that FORD word here!

[wilf]

What was it He said? Ah yes - Suffer the little children.............

[PeteV]

Well...I'm having a lot of rather strange thoughts at the moment. Can't decide whether I really want to build another Cobra at all, let alone which engine to use. Around lunch time today, I 'got the hots' for a Chevy '383', primarily on the basis of cost - btw a new arrival in the household & one less income means that I will have to be rather frugal for a while. However, by about tea time, I was back to looking at the good old Ford 302 maybe for a Hawk 289 FIA (or the 351 would be ideal if it fits). Yesterday it was a Ford FE in a Crendon - tomorrow, who knows - tomorrow it could be something else again!!

What I am trying to convey here is that I guess that I have an 'inner yearning' to build something again, but it needs to be suitably different than my 4.6 Rover-powered Pilgrim to make it all worth while. So, do I go for Plan A, which would be a really nice Hawk or Crendon, but with a fairly modest motor which in all probability would not exceed the acceleration capability of the Pilgrim, or do I join the other bunch and plonk a beefy Chevy into something light weight such as a GD?

Now, I'd really like a hard top too, so I'm kind of coming to the conclusion that a nice 289 FIA is perhaps the best choice, preferably fitted out with perhaps a stroked 302 (well...have to try and be a t least a little bit different, don't we ?). Trouble is, as nice as the Hawk seems, there are still one or two niggles that I can't resolve - it will be nice to take a proper look at the front suspension setup at Stoneleigh if Gerry brings a car with his modified arrangements fitted.

Now, the Crendon is a splendid bit of kit, but I fear that it probably needs a rather sporting engine to match the get up & go of some of the more basic (lighter) machines? Realistically, this could end up being a very high budget option - but of course, would be a fantastic platform for just about anything that I would wish to try out a few years down the road. No hard top option though, I guess.

DAX would seem to be out, as underslung pipes are a must for me, and it all looks a bit too tight. Also, I'm not fully convinced about all this De Dion stuff yet, really.

I've always liked the GD too, so this could indeed be an option. Not so keen on the hard top though.

Gosh... I think I've hijacked my own thread, & turned it into a 'which bloody kit should I buy...' ramble !! Should know better after almost 10 years in the game!!

Well...there you have it! About the only thing that I am sure of is that whatever it is, it'll be more 'retro' than 'bling!' & that I certainly won't be fitting fuel injection !!!

Any counselling will probably be much appreciated (...especially the kind that tells me to put my empty wallet away & start loving the Pilgrim again !!)

Pete.

Hmm... there is always the Python I suppose ... why not just fit a BMW 2.8 straight six and be done with it !! AAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH.... !!!!

[mylesdw]

The Chev 383 is popular because it is made by fitting an internally balanced 400 crank (3.75" stroke) to a +030" (4.030") 350 block. The stroke difference is compensated for by new pistons and I'm pretty sure you have to have rods that have been 'clearanced' so that they don't hit the cam. If you can run to it, go for 6" rods as these will vibrate less, generate slightly more power and cause less bore wear; again you have to buy pistons to match. The whole assembly will need balancing.

[Robin427]

Originally Posted by PeteV

I've always liked the GD too, so this could indeed be an option. Not so keen on the hard top though.

Then don't buy the hardtop...

[wilf]

Pete - absolutely no reason for a Crendon to be heavier than other cars - mine came out at 1046kg at SVA, which is not heavy at all.

If you wanted to go the FE route, then there are very much cheaper options than sideoilers - the 385 and 410 engines will make serious torque for not much money - go look on the Southern Automotive site for examples, and go see John Kerr at Crendon, his demo car has one such engine in it.

For some reason everyone thinks a Crendon has to be a very expensive car - I have seen plenty of other marques cost a lot more than you could build a nice Crendon for. I guess the issue is that John Kerr likes to sell rolling chassis/body setups, but you can get bare chassis etc. if you really want.

[PeteV]

Cheers guys - doing a bit more research, it seems that the Chevy stroker kits look to be amazingly good value in that they can be had for around the £500 mark in the UK !! - and you appear to get a new crank, rods & pistons all in the kit !! As the engine build-up is perhaps the best part for me, this alone would almost convince me to go the Chevy route. However, will do a bit of research on whats available for the 302 & 351W as well.

Thanks for the info Wilf - your Crendon does seem surprisingly (encouragingly) light - from memeory, my original Sumo build with the 3.5 Rover on the Mk II chassis was about 940kgs with a full tank & no driver. I'm a bit surprised that the Crendon, being a much more solidly constructed car, with a big Ford doesn't weigh in considerably heavier?

Still as undecided as ever on which car to build !! Maybe Stonleigh will help !!

Cheers all & catch a few of you tomorrow at Stoneleigh!
Pete.