How's it going guys. Need some input. I'm going to install my HSR with a CompCams shaft that has .570 intake lift. I was looking at a 383 kit that has forged steel rods and cast steel crank. Would the cast steel crank be good or is it a bad idea?

http://m.summitracing.com/parts/esp-b13405e030

 

Depends on who you ask... IMO, I think a cast steel crank is good to 500+ hp, BUT not turning more than 6000rmp. Anything above and Id go forged.

So with that said, that short block is limited to that power range. Any more upgrades and you are really pushing it. If you are thinking that you may ever want more HP, then you may want to start with forged stuff off the bat.

I have a cast steel in mine and it is just fine. Never dynod but was told with what I have should be around 450-500fwhp. If you have the dough, Id go forged but its up to you. GL

-Dan

 

No power adder and keeping the rpm low like mentioned above is fine for a cast crank.

I use a billet steel crank and rods in my engine but it's race only and I push it to around 7400 rpm.

 

Well the Eagle cast cranks have a terrible reputation on some chevy forums. And u can find photo evidence of broken Eagle cast cranks so it is quite believable. If u look at Eagles w/s they spec some of their cast cranks for only 400hp and others for 500hp. IMHO i would stay clear of the Eagle cast cranks for performance use but maybe fine in a low rpm stroker for a truck or 4-wheeler. I would shop for SCAT crank rather than Eagle. Try Flatlander racing - great prices but watch the shipping costs: http://www.flatlanderracing.com/.

As far as cast steel that just means the carbon content is less than/different than regular cast iron. steel isnt as brittle as cast iron.

 

1st what are you trying to do with the car or build engine wise?

I do not like eagle.. Seen too many failures and bad finish machine work from them.

For budget parts Scat rods and crank are much better.

Be careful of piston CC in those kits. A 5cc piston on a 383 can get you into 11.5 to 12:1 compression range easy with small CC heads. Most pump gas 383s needs 10-22cc dish pistons to run with common 62-64cc heads.

Be careful of rods that you use and the cam you use. The 383's longer stroke likes to push the rod shoulders up high enough to hit the cam depending on cam size, cam core size, and rod type ran.

Forged vs cast crank... No power adders, decsent power, not reving to the moon and back the new aftermarket cast cranks like the scat 9000 would be fine.

Over 10 years so far on my Scat 9000 cast crank with a car that ran 11.40's for years and over 100K street miles.. Now same crank but diff engines, cam, etc and should run 10.60's