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what is a Stroker???

Old Sep 12, 2003 | 02:52 AM
  #1  
Virtualdemo's Avatar
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From: La Union, NM
Car: 1986 IROC Z28
Engine: 400 SBC
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Limited Slip
what is a Stroker???

I know I know....Stupid Question. But i would really like to know what the 200 bucks difference in rebuild kits is all about just because one is a Stroker. I mean if its more reliable or even more powerful or what? Is it duration? Rod arm lengths? the crank? do you need special heads? See...im an idiot....haha...
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Old Sep 12, 2003 | 04:59 AM
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From: Naples, FL
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 383 stroker
Transmission: T-56
It's all in the crank. A stroker motor has a crank in it that has a longer stroke then stock. For examaple, the common stroker SBC motor is the 383 stroker, where the stock 3.48i nch stroke crank is replaced with a 3.75 inch crank AKA 400 crank, cause it was used as stock in 400. But don't think that's it's a matter of just throwing in another crank cause there are other things involved like different pistion's, and clearnances and different balances. I hope this gives you a little info that you were looking for.

Tom
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Old Sep 12, 2003 | 05:58 AM
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From: Loveland, OH, US
Car: 4
Engine: 6
Transmission: 5
Your engine's "size" - whether it's a 305, or 350, or whatever - is the product of the cross-sectional area of the cylinder times the stroke. If you make the bore bigger, you increase the cross-sectional area; and if you make the stroke longer, .... the stroke is longer. Either one causes the engine to burn more fuel molecules per cylinder, which produces more power. There are various other details that must be considered, but that's the basic point: increase the engine size without having to get a different block.

The most common "stroker" motor these days is the 383, which is a 350 block and a crank with the same stroke as a 400. Used to be, you had to get the crank out of a junk 400, and massage it to fit a 350 block; nowadays people manufacture them already made ready to do that with.
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Old Sep 12, 2003 | 12:35 PM
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Without getting too heavily into contextual analysis, another form of a "stroker" is a rìce-cart driver that brags that her car is "fast"....
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Old Sep 12, 2003 | 01:39 PM
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From: Portland, OR www.cascadecrew.org
Car: 1990 Camaro RS
Engine: Juiced 5.0 TBI - 300rwhp
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Eaton Posi, 10 Bolt
HAHA, now that is funny Vader
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Old Sep 12, 2003 | 01:54 PM
  #6  
8Mike9's Avatar
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From: Oakdale, Ca
Car: 89 IrocZ
Engine: L98-ish
Transmission: 700R4
When I saw Vader had replied, I figured he'd say it was his HighSchool sweetheart.
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Old Sep 12, 2003 | 02:21 PM
  #7  
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From: La Union, NM
Car: 1986 IROC Z28
Engine: 400 SBC
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Limited Slip
So, basically, I shouldn't waste my time and money to get the stroker unless im gonna use it.....its just gonna be a street driven racer anyway. Thanks for the explaination. And umm....Vader....hahaha.....I understand......lmao
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Old Sep 12, 2003 | 02:24 PM
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From: Oakdale, Ca
Car: 89 IrocZ
Engine: L98-ish
Transmission: 700R4
It's not a waste of time...you need to decide if the extra cost is worth the extra power potential that more cubes will give you.
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Old Sep 12, 2003 | 03:11 PM
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how hard are they with the emmissions in texas that also may help you decide
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Old Sep 12, 2003 | 04:43 PM
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Well, that may not be a significant problem.

AS a general rule (not always, but as a tendency) longer stroke engines are somewhat more efficiant, and have a slightly longer burn time per engine cycle than an engine with an identical bore but shorter stroke.

Additionally, an engine with the same bore but a longer stroke tends to make more power at lower RPM (torque), even with an identical rod length. A Chevy 350 makes a lot more low RPM torque than a Chevy 302 or 327. Since emissions testing is likely to occur at something under 3,000 RPM, the longer stroke engine should have an easier time meeting emissions requirements.

That's one of the more significant factors in the demise of the Ford 302 in favor of the Romeo (modular, or "Tinketoy") engine. Like the Chevy LS1, it has a smaller bore and more stroke to make power, and be more efficient and emissions friendly.
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Old Sep 12, 2003 | 09:02 PM
  #11  
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From: La Union, NM
Car: 1986 IROC Z28
Engine: 400 SBC
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Limited Slip
Actually....

I dont live in Texas. I just put that on there because most of the time I am in Texas because its the closest Big City to me. Plus I race my Bird there as well. I live in New Mexico. The emissions in NM are great. As long as your turn signals work and the headlights light up....well.....your good to go. You still need to comply with the emissions stuff they just arent hard core about it. In fact not one of my cars has a catalytic converter or a smog pump on them....I have 3 vehicles....hehe....i know bad bad bad....but hey it helps my cars around here.....lowers the operating temp and its usually plugged anyways when i do actually get around to pulling them off....

That said....I may just order the stroker kit...Vader you kinda made the decision for me....If i ever want to sell the car it would make sense to get the one with "easier" emissions. PLUS....i get to say my car has a STROKER....haha.....thanks
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Old Sep 12, 2003 | 11:41 PM
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From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Car: '83 Z28, '07 Charger SRT8
Engine: 454ci, 6.1 Hemi
Transmission: TH350, A5
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi, 3.06 posi
A stroker kit is well worth the money IMO. The longer stroke will give you more cubes, which means more torque, which also means more horsepower (horsepower is a function of torque). A stroker like a 383 will also probably be easier to pass emitions with than something like a 302, 327 or a 350. Thats one of the main reasons the 327 and 302 Chevy didn't live past 1969. They couldn't pass emitions requirements AND make any kind of respectable amount of power. They also didn't make enough torque to drive all the new accesories being installed in cars in the '70s and pass emitions at the same time.

Thats the main reason the 400 small block was introduced. It made and obscene amount of low end grunt to get grandma to church with the AC at max and all while pulling a 4500lb ocean liner down the street, all while getting the green light from the government for emitions.

This is also the same exact reason that the 454 replaced the 427 in 1970.

More cubic inches, more power, more potential from future mods, and better emitions performance (usually). What more can you ask for?
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