Stroking vs. FI ???

[ssirlin]

I'm trying to decide whether to go with a stroker or fuel inject my 351 Windsor as a winter project. I'd like both more power and better throttle response and am considering a 418ci stroker or Hilborn fuel injection. Can't do both because of the cost. Reliability is a real factor for me, as I like to go on long, "back road" drives and spend a lot of time out in the desert.
Any input on this issue would be appreciated

[Jack21]

Do the stroker first, EFI last. Consider the 393 instead of the 408 for reliability. Look at the aftermarket heads with 2.08/1.60 valve setups to work better with strokers. 350 ci valves and ports don't work as well with 400 ci motors, and vice versa. AR 215 or similar.

Next, a hydraulic roller cam. The block lifter valley needs some machining for the spider, and roller tappets that can't be done in the car. In fact, if I were prioritizing these, and could only afford one, I'd do the roller first. Top off roller with CompCams pro-magnum steel roller rockers for street use.

If considering EFI, install fuel return line to tank, and O2 sensor bung in header or sidepipe, and plug it temporarily.

Put a Holley or Demon carb on it, and get the car on the street.

Then, at your leisure, play with the EFI. It will be infinitely easier if you have some EFI experience. Edelbrock and Holley have some nice carb to EFI conversion systems. Easier to convert on a running engine with before & after comparisons. You always have the option of reinstalling the carb.

[Richard Hudgins]

Hi ssirlin,

I would have to recommend the stroker motor first. You will not gain enough HP or Torque by putting on the FI to notice. (Unless your current engine is under-carbureted with a bad intake as well)

You could possibly improve the driveability with the Hilborn unit after much sorting.

As to size of the engine, this will have to be determined by what you wish the power curve to be like.

I recommend that you go to: Butcher Desktop dyno fantasies

You will find more info there than you need to make a stroker choice.

Of course, he is the "Butcher" so be afraid, very afraid, that mysterious things will begin to happen to your Cobra once you start down the Butcher path.

The only known cure once you are on the Butcher path is a McMaster-Carr catalog and a complete inventory of Loctite products in the industrial size.

[Mr.Fixit]

Get the 418 from Dean. It makes more HP than you will feel comfortable with, and has a warrantee. He'll probubly be able to reuse most of your components again, block, heads, intake, distributor, etc.

[Fred Douglass]

Mr. Fixit,
Is "Dean" Dean Woodruff? AND wh/ is the preferable target for gettin' out of the hole..torque (my guess) or HP?

[ssirlin]

Mr. Fixit :
The power and throttle response I'm looking for is in going from 70mph to 100mph in 4th gear, not "out of the hole" power. What do you think ??
And yes, Dean (Woodruff) will be doing either the 418 or the FI (ps : he recommends the Hilborn FI)
thanks