Quote:
Originally Posted by BAsque1
351 Cleveland -------------------eyes closed!!! One of the best engines ever.
Basque1
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Agreed, no question, BAsque1
!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wbulk
I have been evaluating the same thing. Keep in mind that you most likely will have body cut out issues for the exhaust changing and air cleaner clearances. Motor mounts may have to change. These changes are seldom simple. I am leaning more towards a 331 stroker.
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We're at the same fork in the road....a 331 SBF stroker was what I originally
thought I wanted (although I am such a fan of the canted valve head design that a 331 CID stroked 8.2" SBF Clevor would actually be my first choice if there were suitable intakes available), if it weren't for that nagging voice telling me to listen to the advice that even I give.
I hadn't thought about header issues.....could continue to use my present headers with the 165R heads I had in mind....but, then, I've been looking for a reason to change my slip-fit sidepipes into flanged units, the canted valve heads would certainly make that a necessity. I am going to have to lower the engine even if I do an 8.2" SBF buildup, as I want an Air-Gap manifold and there's not adequate room at this point. I currently have only 3/8" clearance between the top of my air cleaner and the underside of the scoop....here, you can see:
My problem is that I really like the growl of a high-winding SBF and ALSO really like the great low and mid-range grunt that a Cleveland delivers.....it's a classic case of "You can't have your cake and eat it, too".
Quote:
Originally Posted by blykins
My Cleveland stuff is internally balanced, so any SBF 0 balance flywheel will work, just as long as you match the diameter to the bellhousing. Older Windsor/Cleveland stuff was 164T, new stuff is 157T. The new bellhousings (such as Quicktime) or the 5.0 bellhousings won't swallow up a 164T flywheel...... if you're worried about pedal pressure, there are certainly ways around a stiff pedal.
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blykins....again, you're right....a torquey Cleveland, even a standard displacement block, could probably make short work of my T-5. If I do go the Cleveland route, I'll have to drive it like a grandpa until I can afford a suitable upgrade. Actually, I think a well-built manual shift valve C-6 would be best behind a torquey, 393/408 Cleveland build.....but that's pure HERESY around here. But a Cleveland with a 157 tooth flywheel would fit into the factory bellhousing for the T-5, right? I understand about the twin-disc issue....I would most likely consult with you re: other methods to reduce the pedal effort.
Glad to know the T-5 would at least fit! A new transmission would be a deal-breaker for the Cleveland build...but a future replacement might just be a very real possibility, even if I don't tear the current T-5's guts out
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I realize that the driving style would by necessity be essentially polar opposites for the two engines...that's one of the reasons I seem to be taking so long to make decisions/purchases. Sadly, my current driving style (Honda VTEC V-6/automatic) seems to favor the Cleveland, but my in my dreams I'm always driving the 331!