main caps: studs vs bolts

[joflaig]

I've read about some of the pros and cons of both. It seems like for a lower HP engine bolts are recommended. However, since studs are stronger can it hurt to go with them by default? They are a bit more money, but if that's not a factor, then?

[charger50071]

WITH STUDS THERE IS LESS CHANCE OF MAIN CAP WALK.

[mally69]

What are you building?  If it is a stroker around 600hp i would advise you strongly to go with BCR's aluminum main caps OR the BCR's aluminum main cap/ girdle setup if your going over 650HP.  I Think the stock bottom end should be ok up to 550hp with studs,

[firefighter3931]

  I Think the stock bottom end should be ok up to 550hp with studs,

For the type of motor you are building... the stock caps with studs and an align bore on the mains will be fine.



Ron

[joflaig]

For the type of motor you are building... the stock caps with studs and an align bore on the mains will be fine.

...but mechanically speaking there couldn't be a downside, say, to using 440's billet steel caps with ARP bolts, could there?

[firefighter3931]

For the type of motor you are building... the stock caps with studs and an align bore on the mains will be fine.

...but mechanically speaking there couldn't be a downside, say, to using 440's billet steel caps with ARP bolts, could there?

No downside other than cost. I'm pretty sure that the 440 source billet caps are sized for a 383-400 crank which means there is considerable cost involved to make them work with a 440/stroker crank. Brian Shaunessy just went through this and got a BIG machining bill. Check with him for the details.



Ron

[joflaig]

No downside other than cost. I'm pretty sure that the 440 source billet caps are sized for a 383-400 crank which means there is considerable cost involved to make them work with a 440/stroker crank. Brian Shaunessy just went through this and got a BIG machining bill. Check with him for the details.

This is from their website:

"These work with both "B" and "RB" engines. As with any aftermarket main caps, fitting the caps to your block's registers and line boring and/or honing  is required."

I guess if they require a lot of additional machining for the 440 crank they don't get too exact in detail.

[firefighter3931]

This is from their website:

"These work with both "B" and "RB" engines. As with any aftermarket main caps, fitting the caps to your block's registers and line boring and/or honing  is required."

I guess if they require a lot of additional machining for the 440 crank they don't get too exact in detail.

Ya, the description is kind of ambiguous. 

Here's Brians thread from a few months back....i knew i had responded on the subject at some point.....but there's been many posts since then.  This cold weather is fogging up my brain....can't remember $hit 


http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,35812.msg400331.html#msg400331



Ron

[joflaig]

I talked to 440 source and they have no plans to make main caps that require less cutting.