427 Stroker kits, Which?

[RACER X #99]

Ben,
Most knowledgable small block builders seem the think that the sb 427 does not have a good rod ratio. Most of the big cube"racing" small blocks are around 408-410 cubes. You can build an engine of this size and still tell everybody it's a 427 if that number is important to you.As far as performance, any of the big cube small blocks will usually beat up on the FE's.
If you are building just for show and cruising why not build an FE.

RD

[BenBaron]

Hi RD,

I would have loved to build an FE but I over in the uk and cost for parts and the block itsself is an issue. I already have a 351w block and toploader (for SB for to now go with an FE Id be looking at replacing the lot..too many pennies for me that one, missues would skin me.

I see where your comming from with the dodgy rod ratio but there seem to be lots of people running the kits and lots of opinion both ways. The way I see it at the moment is that Im not gunna be running it to death and if I put say a 408 in then I would always feel like I should have just gone with the bigger stroker. Anyway Its just too late, Ive made up my mind.

Thanx for the opinions all

[Streetwize]

http://popularhotrodding.com/enginem...racing_engine/

Here's a good read for many of those who think or led to believe that short rod motors don't work well...they cite things like "excessive side loading" and friction losses...well that's true...they will be higher proportional to RPM, but under 6500 or so not enough to worry about and with the right (reead: BIGGER) heads and valve timing, for moderate rpm motors (below 6800 or so) desiring a wide (not peaky) powerband, they make for formidable engines not to be taken lightly.

Excessive Side loading and friction....I would only take 'Excessive' to mean beyond the physical lubrication and thermal properties of the oil....haven't seen that yet in any of my stroker motors.

Jon Kaase has 2 of the last 3 Enginemasters contests, motors that produce the highest average torque and horsepower across a 2500-6500 RPM powerband on 93 octane pump gas.

He won at 470" cube limit with an FE ford, the 410 limit with a Windsor and the 510" limit with a Pontiac....the one common denominator of all three winning motors???? Big strokes with Short rod ratios, killer heads and camshafts. He could have built them with bigger bores, longer rods and shorter strokes and got to those cubes any number of ways...yet he chose the "less popular" way.

For those of you not familiar with Jon Kasse, he has been the premiere IHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock engine builder (815 cubes, 1700+ hp normally aspirated) for about 30 years now.

opinions vary....but I've been in the Kaase camp for over 10 years now..I've heard all the "expert arguments" but I just keep building them big stroke, big heads and whatever rod will still keep the pin within the ring pack.

[ERA Chas]

Not to pick nits but Jon did not win last year with the Pontiac-Lennert Bergquist did with BBC.

[Streetwize]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Not to pick nits but Jon did not win last year with the Pontiac-Lennert Bergquist did with BBC.

Chas,

No doubt, but Kaase is well respected in Ford Circles...just pointing out that short rod motors can and do make some serious power