427 Stroker???

[slammed79]

So I'm getting ready to build a new engine for my 79 halfton, and I came across a 400 short block on C-List that seems like a good canidate. I'm wondering if anyone has stroked one of these out to a 427. I was thinking about a strokerkits.com crankshaft and most of their cranks use standard length rods, I'm only looking for about 450 hp, but I'm just bored with all the 383 strokers out there.

Anyone have any ideas or tips?

[team39763]

A local guy wanted to build a 427 smallblock, but he looked into it and it seemed like too much trouble to get that out of a stock/production block and have it be reliable for street use.  He built a 406 instead.  When he decided to go bigger, he went with an aftermarket block.  I bet you could get 450hp out of that 383, but if you need more cubes a 406 should surely meet your goals.  Didn't one of those magazines do a 400 build with vortec heads and air-gap intake and made in the high 400's or low 500's? 

[eventhorizon66]

http://www.tandlengines.com/chevy_sb_aluminum_408_a-1.html

They can build you a street version of this one:
http://www.tandlengines.com/chevy_sb_aluminum_427_r-1.html

They will sell you just a short block of either too, if you wish to build the top end yourself.

Apparently less then half the 350 cores out there are suitable for the 408 treatment above.  So, if you wish to try yourself with a production block, I would limit myself to a 3.875" stroke and only after a good sonic check.  With a 4.03" bore that'll give a 395 and with a 4.155" bore a 420.

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tech/0805phr_408_cubic_inches_with_a_350_block/index.html

[bigkountry]

De-stroke it to a 377, nasty little high RPM motor right there.

[slammed79]

The 427 is a 4.125" Bore with a 4.00" stroke, What is the stock bore size of a 400? I've been seeing different companies put out pump gas 427 small blocks, and those are making up wards of 650hp, but it never specifies what block is being used. If I started with a new block I could get the bore I needed.

All this is for me is a brain child, though I may need to utilize my pro choice beliefs for this engine combo until I retire the 79 from daily driver status.

[eventhorizon66]

The stock bore for a 400 is 4.125".  But you'll probably be hard pressed to clearance a factory 400 block for a 4" stroke without breaking into a water jacket.  So, if you are dead set on a 427 you'll have to start with an entry-level race block like the World MoTown or the Dart SHP.  For a tighter budget, you could comb the classifieds for a used GM bowtie block.  Or you could make life simple for yourself (but not your wallet) and order up a shortblock from T&L or Bill Mitchell Hardcore racing.  BTW did you know that Bill Mitchell offers a 454 cid SBC short block for the same price as their 427 unit?

[slammed79]

I saw an article about the 454 sbc in Street Rodder mag about 4 or 5 years back, that would be all kinds of fun.
    I'm not dead set on a 427 it just sounded like a fun toy. I may just build a 302 sbc, it's a high rev-er. The ideas abound, I really want to stuff an lsx in the truck, there is a few 6.0's available locally.

[eventhorizon66]

In anything but a purpose-built lightweight race car, high revving engines are a novelty act.  I wouldn't waste my time on any SBC of less than 350 cubes and I wouldn't destroke a 400.

But if you are thinking LSX...go for it!  That is an awesome swap.  The only reason I still debate on keeping a gen 1 in my truck is the fact that serious horsepower comes cheaper in a Gen 1.  But if the budget allows for it, an LSX engine is the way to go.  There is no way you can have an aluminum block, roller cam, 300+ cfm heads, and SEFI in a Gen 1 for anywhere near the same price as say...this engine.