STROKERS AND BODY FLEX!

[nathan buckley]

Hey Nesters...
been a good minute since I posted but thought i'd ask a question or two relevant to my 72RR. I haven't really been able to even enjoy the car much lately due to chronic overwork, family life, moving house, renovating and so on... but last month I got serious about upgrading the slug of a donk these things came with.

So.. off to the engine builders. I already had the edelbrock heads and a few bits but the pistons I had only ran to a compression starting with the lucky number 7. Hmmmnh... So then I looked at a new set of flat tops, then thought about new rods and all the rest of and before you know it, a stroker kit started to look pretty tasty.

But which one? 440 SOURCE, muscle motors or INDY, who have a kit for a great price right now...
Do I go to 451? or higher?

It's a weekend car... street duties and maybe the occasional 1/4 mile trip. I'm not so ego driven to want a HP rating I can brag about (well maybe a little) for no reason... but I guess now is the time to just put my money where my mouth is and go for it!

At what point do I need to start strengthening the frame? Anyone had any experience with using connectors or bracing? I dont wanna twist this thing up.

[moparmike]

If it is for street use I would put either a 383 or a 440 in it. I just did the same thing to my 72 ssp in the fall, yanked out the tired 318 and put in a 440. I found a 1967 440 eng and matching tranny that originally came out of a 1967 GTX. I can't see needing anymore than this because the first time I drove my SSP with the new eng it SCARED the S#!t out of me. Keep in mind I left it stock spec's. If you can find a combo of this vintage I would grab it I think mine is stock 385 horse and 480 torque trust me it's more then enough for the road and the occansional trip down the track. My SSP is a sleeper now for sure

[72Satellite440]

Im still hoping my car will be about 600-650HP Eagle crank/Indy heads/stroker ...After 500 HP Ive heard its time to do the subframe connectors..
Im sure ill have no movement after thats done...


72Satellite440-Dan

[1bluegtx]

Well no matter what you do you will wish you did more.So i would go with a bigger stroker kit (440 source has some sweet kits!) But keep in mind when you get over 500 or so hp parts need to be upgraded,transmission.rearend,etc.
Frame connectors are a must and i would suggest strengthening the front leave spring mount.Car is still going to twist unless you install a full cage.Some type of solid engine mounts too or you will have broken mounts and linkage problems.
should also mention some stroker kits require the use of an external oil pickup and lines(no big deal, actually a better system)

But the thrill is well worth it!

BRIAN

[moparmike]

You really need to decide how you are going to use the car although I use my car for a cruiser I beefed up the rearend, put in a bigger rad, a windage tray etc. just in case some chevy or ford guy wants to play.

The 440 torque is unreal and like I said it was kept to stock spec's....put on a few trick parts and you will be pleasantly surprised. You will smile the first time you hit the gas for sure.....

[71Beeper]

Im sure ill have no movement after thats done...

Now THAT"S the way frame connectors should be done!!
Great looking underside.

[RS23U1E]

Keep in mind that a lot of the cars that have problems with body flex / doors not shutting right / etc. have been taking their cars out to the strip with sticky slicks and heating them up to get good traction. If you are putting in a stoker and planning to take it out to the strip - indeed - you will need to think about what that horsepower will do to the car and upgrade the proper components. Frame connectors are an absolute must.

If you are just building a street car though with street tires, you'll probably be breaking the car loose anyway. Most of that torque will be spent burning rubber. I'd still do frame connectors though. Definitely a weak point on these old birds.

I'm doing the same to mine and read that it is crucial to not put the frame connectors on until everything else is done. (motor in, suspention upgrades, new springs, etc.) Also - best done on a lift to make sure the car is resing on its tires. Otherwise you'll end up connecting a frame that is already twisted or torqued.

[nathan buckley]

thanks for the advice...

I already have the 400 and the heads. Seems like 440 source has the best info, but I liked Muscle Motors as well - they way they explain things is helpful.

I'll be going to a 470... which I guess will get me close to 500hp or thereabouts which means I'll be in foreign territory at this kinda power. Maybe I could detune it a little til i get used to it?

Good point about the tires... I'll be shredding the street radials more than gettign traction so that's a good point to remember!

TRANS is out and ready to take the brunt of the punsihment. The stall will have to cope with the punishment as well...

Can the stock 8 and 3/4 take close to 500hp?

W

[RS23U1E]

Nathan,

I have a 440 >> 512 stroker at the builders now. I'm building with a similar intent. Fun street torque and not all-out strip. I did go with the 440 source kit at the advice of my builder as well as their stealth heads. They have seen plenty of guys use them at the strip for several years now with no problems. I can't speak to any others though - I rely on my builder for parts advice like this.

As for the 8 3/4 - I think there were two different types - my came with a 489 which is the stronger the two. My builder said it will work fine for our type of application - mostly street and automatic trans.

I did upgrade to a detroit locker no-spin a few years back in anticipation of the build, and I think upgraded the yoke to a 29 spline.

[moparmike]

Why not just put in a HEMI

A lot of how the car performs will not be because of high horsepower but all about how the car gets dialed in.
don't get me wrong horsepower is nice but there is a lot of factors to consider to get a car moving.

Anyway it sounds like yours will be a great machine when your done I know when I drove mine the first time after beefing it up it put a smile on my face for sure and thats what it is all about I think.

WARNING WARNING ::::::: DRIVING A BIG BLOCK MOPAR CAN BE.....HABIT FORMING

[72Satellite440]

Why put in a HEMI when 383's & 440's are more readily avail.They can make as much HP as a Hemi anyday

72Satellite440-Dan

[BigBlock]

Why put in a HEMI when 383's & 440's are more readily avail.They can make as much HP as a Hemi anyday

72Satellite440-Dan

I agree, I will be going 440 as well, but to play the Devil's Advocate, I think, like many things, the Hemi is not only an awesome power plant, but even more-so a status symbol to be had. I can't afford to drop 17k on a motor.

[72Satellite440]

Home made torque boxes will help a ton also...Heres a add on FABO how he made his own and they look great!
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/sho ... torque+box

72Satellite440-Dano

[beepbeepTyler]

I have a spare 340 sitting in my basement that I occasionaly work with. Im looking to stregnthen it (rather than keeping it stock) and Im thinking about stroking it with a 4.00 forged Crank. Boring it .030" over with forged pictons/rings/ect. This will make it a 416c.i. stroker. Anyone every tried that combo?

[moparmike]

I was not really suggesting that he put in a Hemi what I was trying to get across is exactly what you guys are saying. That a 383 or 440 is more than enough engine and parts are easier to find. The reason I mentioned hemi was to get him to realize that a 440 is MORE then enough engine. That is why I put a 440 in my SSP also fitting the 440 in would be a lot easier then a Hemi. Hemi's are nice if your building a track car but not for a driver. To hard to get parts and Waaaaaaay to much money. anyway goodluck with whatever you decide it will be a fun ride when your finished for sure.