Hey guys - I was brainstorming today (still can see some smoke around my ears...) and this is what I came up with.

All of the time I come across "427" and "454" advertised small blocks in the magazines - so I did a little studying, here's the combination:

434 SBC - 400 block, 4" stroke, 4.155 bore
Most companies sell this rotating combination with JE pistons, a scat crank, H-beam rods, and all the bearings/rings for under $1800 - which sounds nasty to me. Just think what a full roller 434 would do. Here's my 2007 setup (b/c I think I'll afford this once college is over. lol)

Above Bottom End
Eagle 220 cfm intake heads w/ 2.08/1.60 valves
1.6 Roller Rockers
Titanium Retainers
Titanium Swirl Valves
Roller Cam (.550/.550 lift?)
Hi-Rise Dual Plane Intake
Holley 750

I dunno, just was thinking. lol


Ty

A 383 is a 350 with a longer stroke in it (crankshaft). You can go higher depending on the overbore of the cylinders (.030/.040/.060) which will make it sligthly bigger than a 383. Since you have seven years to decide you will have a great combo by the time you learn what works best with what and what your goals are for the car. Good Luck and learn a lot.

There are a few changes I would make for that combo....

- Definitely an aftermarket block, World Products Motown or Dart Little M
- I would get the block with 4.125" bore, that way you'll have a rebuild or two left on it (that and you'll end up with a 427, people will think it's a big block)
- I would look at a good int. balance Callaies (sp?) crank (Dragon Slayer line is supposed to be really good)
- Good brand name 4340 6" H-beam rods (eagle, manley, lunati)
- JE pistons are good, I'd get Total seal rings or good plama moly rings
- AFR 220cc heads Competition CNC ported, you want all the flow you can get with that much displacement, you could also go with a set of 18* dart heads
- 1.6 ratio Comp Cams Pro Magnum rockers (or a Jesel shaft mount system)
- Titanium valves and retainers are fine, you'll need good springs though
- Solid Roller cam, close to .600" lift, or hyd. roller with a rev kit
- Victor Jr. Intake manifold
- Holley 850cfm 4150 DP carb

That's what I would do, but I'm a perfectionist, only the best parts for my motor (even on my small budget being a college student). If you're going to build it you should build it right, there's not a second chance when it comes to motors, one wrong thing and it goes bye bye....

Actually a 383 is a 350 with a .30 overbore and a 400 crank. A std bore 350 + 400 crank is a 377.

Cronic3rd


You are right. I coulnd't remember if the standard 383 included the .030 overbore. A 396 is with a .040 right?

A .040" overbore makes a 384.6, or a 385.

A .060" overbore makes a 388.4, or a 388.

A 396 uses a goofy non standard crank. porbbably a 3.85" stroke

I don't even think you can fit a 4 inch stroke crank in a factory small block. Even with clearancing, I don't think you can get H-beams to clear the pan rails or the cam.

I'm pretty sure you can - I was checking out kits online and there was no mention of a need for an aftermarket block. Too - if you can squeeze another quarter inch of stroke in a 350 block with clearancing, why can't you do it with a 400...?

ty

Yes, you can. Or at least I can. With the right parts, it can be made to fit, without undue difficulty.

You come up with a 427 with a 400 block and a 4" stroke, or a 434 if it's .030" over.

Ok, well I stand corrected. I didn't think you could but I guess I'm wrong. I've never tried it so I'll take the word of the guy who has done it.

Tom

Doesn't a small block 454 require the use of the World Products tall deck block?

I believe the deck height is stock - the bores are HUGE though - 4.25". The amount of metal between the cylinders is firckin tiny. the pistons look like they almost touch.

The small block 454 definitely requires an aftermarket block, with a taller deck height. It's all stroke when you get to that point. The bore spacing in a SBC won't allow much bigger bores than 4.155".

It does require an aftermarket block but it is not a tall deck version. It is a 4.25" bore with a 4" stroke. I am pretty sure the bore spacing was changed slightly from stock. Not to mention the 454 is at it's maximum bore and cannot be overbored at all.

No no... the 454 sbc has a 4.25" stroke crank... you need an aftermarket block with 2 things:

A) Taller deck height.
B) Spread pan rails (and special pan) to clear the crank.

http://www.worldcastings.com/docs/03catalog/engines.pdf - look 4.25" bore 4" stroke. World castings does not offer a block with a tall deck or non standard pan rails. Dart blocks can come with both but world blocks don't.

A few months ago Hot Rod did a short Story about the HardCore 454 Small Block. Yes it does use 4.25 inch bores and a 4.00 inch stroke. All of the external dimensions are the same as a standard small block. They said that their Blocks could always handle a 4.25 bore, but there was never a gasket that would handle it. Recently Fel-Pro came out with a gasket that would work.

I do not know the date of the issue, and a quick search on their site doid not net any results, but I'm sure that you can find info somewhere.

Phill
(poor college student)

1985 Z28, Less engine and Tranny (Free, no rust.)

WP's Motown block allows a 4.25" bore. and up to a 4" stroke