Cast vs Steel crank

[69bananabeast]

what are the advantages and disadvantages for each?   Currently am building a 75 440  and have a cast crank with a  Hughes 2500 External balance Converter , although some how ended up with an internal balancer and a manual flywheel. so I need to either go with a Steel crank , neutral converter , neutral flywheel .  or I can stay with the cast crank the converter and get another balancer and flywheel .   

What would be the best way to go ?

[Ghoste]

How hard will you be pushing it?   The cast crank will take a lot more punishment than we give it credit for.   When it comes to crankshafts, us Mopar guys are spoiled.   We had forged cranks in most everything.   The Chevys and Fords didn't.   Some of their engines did but many of their muscle motors came with cast cranks.
That being said, go with whichever route will cost you the least.   You are halfway between one or the other.   What else are you doing to the engine and how will it be used?

[firefighter3931]

The cast crank is fine up to 550hp.....just get everything balanced and you're good to go. You just need the correct harmonic balancer to go with the externally balanced assembly. The other option would be to have the engine internally balanced and use your current harmonic balancer....then knock off the balance weights on the tq converter and it becomes a neutral balance unit.

Ron

[69bananabeast]

well according to desktop dyno i'll be pushing 525 on street and 545 open headers.  whats the difference in a motor that is balanced and not ? how could knock off the balance weights?

[firefighter3931]

I wouldn't place a whole lot of faith in desktop dyno.....the program is usually way off on the high side. 540hp is no walk in the park....it takes a big solid cam and heavily ported heads to get there. Assuming the combo was going to make a legitimate 540 hp and if all i had on hand was a cast crank...i'd still run it, assuming it was going to be used with an auto trans....4spd is another story.

Ron

[69bananabeast]

yeah I know those programs and all the 1/4 calculators are going to be a little off so its more of  range of power.    It is going in an auto car. If I sent you my combo would you be able to give a more accurate rating ?

[firefighter3931]

Sure, post it or pm me and i'll have a look at it. Head flow #'s are important as well as the cam specs, static compression, intake, carb and exhaust.

Ron