Shelby Alum. Block -- any thoughts ??

68gt500 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-30-2002, 12:38 AM

I am looking into a FE buildup based on the Shelby Block.

What are the experiences ??

These are the parts I am looking at.

Shelby Block
Edelbrock heads
Erson roller rockers
2x4 Intake (just for the looks)
Flatlander Stroker kit
Scat Billet crank (428 Stroke)
Oliver Rods
JE Pistons

Carbs & cam is still undecided.

Has anyone build s.th. similar? What are the pros & cons?
Any pitfalls ?

Any suggestions appreciated

Mike (Germany)
68 GT500
Not a cobra but same heart

Excaliber · #2 (**permalink**) 10-30-2002, 12:47 AM

Boy theres a twist, apologizing for having a GT-500, lol. Hope you find the info you need to make it a rocket.

Ernie

decooney · #3 (**permalink**) 10-30-2002, 01:23 AM

I just spoke with Lewis at Southern Automotive today. They offer a Shelby Block/Edelbrock heads combo now, and you might want to give them a call to see how its going. I believe they just sent one of these setups out to a customer recently.

No appologies needed for owning a GT500. Wow..., that was the first Shelby I ever took a ride in about 20 years ago, and I'll never forget it burning the tires at 55 mph getting on the freeway - with three of us in the car!

See: www.southernautomotiveengines.com for your combo, they may have some feedback.

cobra fever · #4 (**permalink**) 10-30-2002, 03:17 AM

Dean at House of Cobras is working on one now. They were going to bore it to 454.

wtcobra · #5 (**permalink**) 10-30-2002, 07:15 AM

What is a Flatlander stroker kit?

wt

Jeff Frigo · #6 (**permalink**) 10-30-2002, 08:01 AM

Duane:

Wrong Southern Automotive. Try this:

Southern Automotive Engines

Mike:

If this is the direction you are going to go, which is really not that much more expensive than a cast iron SO, why not go with a longer stroke (485 cu in)? Same price as the 454 stroker kit. More torque = more fun to drive. Scat billet crank and JE pistons are great, the Oliver rods are probably overkill, but are also fantastic. From what other people have stated on this forum, the bock itself is anywhere from perfect, to needing small amounts of re-work. Don't buy the assembled Edelbrock heads. Valves too small, springs not that great. Let your builder do some porting and set the heads up right.

If I had the money, I would love to build a Shelby aluminum block with a 485 stroker kit and Dove tunnel port aluminum heads (quality is questionable, but if some tlc is given to them, they are unbeatable). With a mild roller cam, could be right around 700 hp. on pump gas!

Flatlander Stroker Kits

My427stang · #7 (**permalink**) 10-30-2002, 08:08 AM

The Shelby block is beautiful, I was looking at one the other day. Room to bore at a later date, more and bigger cross bolts, strengthened lifter galley, you cant go wrong

Shelby makes heads too, but from one of their guys at the shop, they said as a side comment that they were no better than the Edelbrock, just more expensive.

You cant go wrong if you have the dough-re-mi!

I'd consider going with bare Edel heads then running med riser valves though, to me 2.06/1.67 isnt enough for a strong 427, never mind a stroker. Personally I run 2.17 / 1.75 and love the midrange.

Also keep your cam duration somewhere around 244-252 degrees duration @ .050. It sounds like a big cam, but with that long stroke and big bore, it wont be radical at all and will really wake it up mid range. My recommendation would be a Comp 294S or equivalent roller, with a gem like that dont go hydraulic

I run a 300 duration (250@.050) in my Mustang and its streetable, add more stroke and it would be even more mellow. For reference I run a 230@.050 hyd cam in my 390 truck, and more often than not I have considered it too small.

Remember, when picking the cam, FE's like duration, small Chevies dont, so when you see that a cam is recommended smaller than what I said, take it with a grain of salt

Sizzler · #8 (**permalink**) 10-30-2002, 08:15 AM

Quote:

These are the parts I am looking at.

Shelby Block
Edelbrock heads
Erson roller rockers
2x4 Intake (just for the looks)
Flatlander Stroker kit
Scat Billet crank (428 Stroke)
Oliver Rods
JE Pistons

A stroker kit by definition would include the crank, appropriately sized rods and pistons.

I would recommend that if you go with the Shelby block, you go for displacement, because, what's the point otherwise? If you go with big displacement, then you need good breathing heads, not just bolt-and-go Edelbrocks. I would seriously look into tunnelports, or at the minimun, get a respected head-porter involved with whatever heads you do decide on.

If this is just for looks, then there's aluminized paint out there that you can use on your block, then just find an old 390 to paint and refresh and go.

bmalone · #9 (**permalink**) 10-30-2002, 10:20 AM

Jeff, if you do come across a set of *good* Dove alum. TP heads, and you don't want them--let me know.

SFfiredog · #10 (**permalink**) 10-30-2002, 10:47 AM

Did you have to mention Dove

?
I was having such a good morning...

---Mike
still waiting......

bmalone · #11 (**permalink**) 10-30-2002, 10:56 AM

Sorry Mike, I know you are still waiting. That's why I want a *good*, used set.

decooney · #12 (**permalink**) 10-30-2002, 02:40 PM

Hey Jeff,

I fixed Er on up dar... with that nice little Edit feature Brent was so kind to provide us with. Southernautomotiveengines.com it is. Good catch. Too many URLs out there these days... Duh.

I can only watch an wonder about owning one of those nice new Shelby blocks. I'll be saving some aluminum cans for a while if I were able to justify moving up on that one. Well, its the old Iron 428CJ for me. Keep up those good posts. Take Care.

Jeff Frigo · #13 (**permalink**) 10-30-2002, 03:00 PM

Bill:

Did you get my private message?

JBAIRD · #14 (**permalink**) 10-30-2002, 08:50 PM

I just purchased block csx-288 from Shelby. Keith Craft is building me a 489 CID. 4.250 Scat Billet stroker crank, 4.280 bore that's .030 over from the 4.25 the way it comes. JE pistons, either Oliver rods or Lunati Pro billet rods. Edlebrock heads with their new CNC program that will put in the 2.25 intake and 1.75 exhaust valves like the Shelby heads only better. T & D shaft mounted rockers(similar) to Jesels) Victor FE intake and the cam will be a solid roller something like 695/675 282-292 dur @.50. Pretty healthy cam and 12.5:1 Comp. Always wanted a high comp motor. Here's my chance. Key to this block is a great crank and heads. Use a Scat Billet, Velasco, or L.A. enterprises Kryptonite. All great pieces($ 2500.00-2800.00). GRP alum rods will also work. I'm having a SCAT billet,,lightened and the counterweights knife edged and we're using Stealth Titanium valves and keepers. Want a total reciprocating weight of about 1850 gr. Should be quite the motor when finished. IMHO.

Jeff Frigo · #15 (**permalink**) 10-30-2002, 08:59 PM

JBAIRD

Why not use tunnel port heads? Will flow another 60-80 cfm than Edelbrocks. Just curious.

Doc · #16 (**permalink**) 10-30-2002, 11:25 PM

Does anyone know any flow numbers on tunnel port ford and Dove, Edlebrock, ford and shelby high risers?

bmalone · #17 (**permalink**) 10-30-2002, 11:31 PM

Good tunnel-ports will flow 350 - 380 cfm on the intake side. I know Jeff has some real good numbers on his MR Ebrocks, perhaps he'll chime in tomorrow.

Jamo · #18 (**permalink**) 10-30-2002, 11:45 PM

Close to mine JBAIRD:

Shelby w/4.250 Velasco billet, .17 over, 10 to 1, solid roller, 650/250 for the cam, Edelbrock bares to be "finished" by my man--Joe Boghosian Racing. Blue Thunder with a 850 Holley mech. secondary. Just a nice street motor.

68gt500 · #19 (**permalink**) 10-31-2002, 03:41 AM

How about some detail infos on the buildup and Dyno results ??

Mike (Germany)

68 GT500
Not a Cobra but same heart

Its NOT an apology its a clarification ...;-)

JBAIRD · #20 (**permalink**) 10-31-2002, 07:03 AM

Jeff: Dove products are IMHO crappy, and who the heck wants to deal w/them. Edlebrocks will flow 370 on intake side with this new CNC program. Jamo: How much was that Velasco and do you have any leakage at the mains??. Why blue thunder intake, My friend Wayne Turpin says that it is a very good intake!!



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