... 440Source 453 Stroker kit arrived

[Skeletoil]

   I actually got a little stressed reading the thread on their heads. They have some problems, but I think anyone building an engine can overcome them. I used to pull off a bad head and grab one from the shelf, wirebrush it and on it went. I never thought about installed valve height and all that. Granted new heads should be pretty close. Dimensions need to be as close as possible from cylinder to cylinder to make maximum power. I don't intend to race this engine.
   With a stroker you build, check, tear down, rework and rebuiid it until your satisfied. The price of the parts say I may have to live with something that is not perfect. I had to live with my budget also. So if it isn't going to wreck my engine I'm going to run it. Indy heads are close to what I have in my stroker kit and heads.
   You can't just put a big engine in and go. Your drive train has to be upgraded along with ignition and carb. I can't afford $15,000 in my engine or I would have bought a Hemi. I can see this engine/drivetrain upgrade could very well exceed what I could expect to get out of my Challenger if I did need to sell it. I didn't plan on selling any of my other Mopars either.
   I'm going to do the best I can with my budget and enjoy my car. $1956 for the 453 stroker kit, (upgrade to I beam rods, $70.) and maybe $930 in the heads delivered prices.

[Skeletoil]

Some more pics

[Skeletoil]

Article on a 540 CI build. 2 bad it's a continued article.

http://www.moparmax.com/tech/2007/ii_3-engine-1.html

[Challenger340]

Them parts look really pretty   

Have you taken a micrometer and measured anything yet ?

[Challenger340]

On a side Note;
We're in frigg'in trouble on this Continent !

How the heck can they, Make, Forge, and Machine, and even Package all this stuff "balanced" for resale, shipped half way around the globe, for those prices ?

Geez, unbelievable.

[BLAM]

Clearly the 440 Source Parts are very nicely priced and I have nothing against the business, but I opted to take a different path for a couple good reasons IMO.  My 512" rotating assembly cost me $2,600 and included a K-1 4340 crank 4.250 X 2.200, Scat 7.100 I Beam Rods with ARP 2000 bolts, CB743HN rod bearings, MS1277HG main bearings ( full groove), custom Diamond Pistons to achieve zero deck with thermal barrier coating and upgraded wrist pins, pro-select file fit plasma moly ring set, and that price included shipping.  All parts checked out spot on so balancing was the only additional cost.  This was not a kit, the parts were hand picked.  All I want to point out in this post is that there are other options out there that will allow for a high quality build and allows for a desired compression height and compression ratio to be achieved perfectly without completely breaking the bank.  Yes nearly $700 more than the 440Source kit is no small amount of money but I got the ARP Bolts Full Groove bearings, and perfect fit pistons with thermal coating.  When you look at the cost of the upgrades to the parts I bought, basic crank, rod, and piston system costs are not hugely different.

Have fun with your build Skeletoil and I look forward to hearing more about the engine as it comes together!

Andy