[tkb289]

Originally Posted by blykins

Glen, I know you're fighting hard for "short stroke, high rpm" crowd, but you're really making this a lot more difficult than it is.

A Scat cast stroker crankshaft, forged I-beam rods, and forged pistons will hold more horsepower than what a 302 block will withstand. These components are no more special than what I would use for an equally rev-happy 289/302.

If you compare what it would cost to take a factory 302 crankshaft, have it reground, have the rods resized, reconditioned, and fitted with ARP bolts, new pistons, new rings, new bearings, etc., you are not but about $200-250 off from buying a brand new Scat rotating assembly that's not 30-40 years old.

Keep in mind that you have to buy pistons, rings, and bearings no matter what, and those costs are generally about the same, give or take a few bucks. A brand new Scat crank is $250 and the rods are about the same.

Why pass up on 50 cubic inches plus a great amount of horsepower and torque for $250?

I've said earlier that you seem to have already made your mind up, so we may all be wasting our breath here. But building an engine simply around an rpm number can lead to lots of issues and disappointments.

Originally Posted by xb-60

Brent, yep, definitely stuck on a non-stroked 302. Not negotiable. Not absolutely authentic, but closer to it than a 302 stroker. It's the heart overriding the head - what more can I say? However, yes, it's a no-brainer to use forged crank/rods/pistons instead of re-conditioned bits. There seems to be overwhelming support for hydraulic roller lifters over solid roller. I will have to consider that advice seriously. I will 'spec' the car as close to what I think will work nicely, based on the advice and information available, but then if I have to change a cam or a diff centre to achieve a degree of 'tuning', then so be it.
Cheers!
Glen

I hear what Brent is saying and have to agree. By choosing not stroke the motor one is essentially leaving 'free' horsepower on the table.

That being said, I also agree with Glen ... for some people there is something special about the 289 or 302 motors, that goes beyond horsepower. May not make 'sense' but I understand where Glen is coming from and the 302 I had built for my 289 is not stroked, it even has the original iron heads. Mind you there was a lot of attention paid to the heads & internals of the motor

That's one of the wonderful things about these cars & engines ... they are all unique!

- Tim