Rhett

I attended the East Coast Nats at the WSID and was very impressed by some very fast Clevelands running standard strokes, (especially a purple XE that was very clean and running 10s). I also had a serious look at some beautiful AFD alloy heads (2V and 4V) and spoke with the guy at the trade stand on at least 4 occasions. He's also convinced me to give up stuffing around with lifter preloads and go solid.

Up till now I’ve always planned a 408 stroker conversion for my mild 351, but am now seriously considering leaving the stroke standard (which will also give me a freer revving motor as opposed to a 408), and instead spend the money on a set of AFD 4Vs and build the motor to survive regular 7000 rpm quarter mile runs.

Dollar for dollar there doesn’t seem to be much between the two roads. Which path should I take (and why).

GammaBoy

CHI!

brenx

You have to decide whether you want a high hp engine that doesn't rev past 6500rpm or a moderately high hp engine that can rev it's ringer out.

Durability I say stroker. Stroker will make bucket loads more hp and torque @ the same rpm ie 6000-6500rpm. Lower rpm = less wear and tear.

In regards to durability of a stock stroke motor. I aren't saying it's not reliable. It just rev's A LOT! Why rev it if you don't have to?

Let your wallet decide. If you can't afford a stroker? Go alloys and stock stroke. If you can? Go the 408 with the alloys I always let my wallet decide what I am doing. It helps having all those dustmites assisting me with decisions

Brenden

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XB Fairmont (street car) 11.07@123.02mph.

Rhett

Why do you recon CHIs are better then AFDs ?????

Rhett

So are you saying that a stroker without alloys isn't as good as a 351 with alloys. I agree, if I had the cash now I'd do both together. To get more performance for my buck should I . . .

PLAN A

stage 1 351 with alloys
stage 2 later on convert 351 to 408 stroker

OR


PLAN B

stage 1 convert 351 to 408 stroker with std 4V iron heads
stage 2 later on add alloys


The problem I see with Plan B is the money wasted doing up the iron heads.

brenx

I'm currently enjoying plan A myself. I'd recommend that one. Wasting $ on cast iron heads isn't good.

Brenden

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XB Fairmont (street car) 11.07@123.02mph.

Soxx

I'm with Brenden, stage 1 of plan A looks great.

I wouldn't bother with the 408 stroker at all, I'm not much of a fan for strokers, particularly with an engine the size of a Clevo anyway.

It's not like the Clevo is short of cubes, and the extra load on bores and the high piston speeds turns me right off them.

Built properly, a standard stroke 351 will rev to 7000rpm all day every day. Though reality is you'll rarely see those rpms on the road anyway.

Rick.

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4L I6, naturally aspirated producing 173.5rwkw.
14.410 @ 96.49mph with street radials.
What's that?..... Did I hear you say TQE power?

STROKEXD

I'd go plan B myself. Get the bottom end all sorted the way you want it now and you shouldn't have to look at it again. New heads can just be bolted on later without pulling the motor.

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GammaBoy

Cos CHI heads were used by the guy who won Engine masters (John Kaase, 699hp@6500rpm from a 408 clevo stroker. XE block if you don't mind!), along with 2 other competitors (one "boss 302" with a big crank shoehorned in, one on a 351C block (650hp @ 6500)). One using filled Iron 4Vs. One with Blue Thunders. No competitors I know of using AFDs
Also have heard rumours of AFDs not quite being up to the CHIs in performance terms....
Oh. and I've got a set on order... :D
Go Plan A :D

Ben

XD408

Im with you ive got a set of 3v alloy CHI heads on top of a 408 stroker and couldnt be happier it revs clean never plays up (the engine that is) runs cool as never had to turn the thermos on yet and with a baby roller cam and 11.1 comprssion has created 459rwhp and 530fwtq on pump fuel at 5600rpm cant go past a stroker or those CHI heads.:)