[grandville455]

Originally Posted by Johnny406

Yes he did, about a year ago.

I didn't know that! RIP

[Half-Inch Stud]

Originally Posted by chiefbigb

I have probably done a dozen factory race blocks over the years. I have a good idea what I'm talking about.

My spare 455 block is a 2-bolt block, been to low 9's in the 1/4mile by prior owner. undrilled for 4-bolt. Best
factory big Journal Core after a SD or just a good core?

[chiefbigb]

Anyone can spend their money anyway they want. Its America and a great place to live. Based on my experiance with stock blocks and aftermarket ones I think there is more value in the aftermarket piece than making a stock block a race inspired one. I'm redoing a stock block for my street strip car now. With billet main caps on it and a couple hundred passes the caps have moved a bit and I'm having to redowel them. Redo the line hone and so on. Aftermarket block has dowels and registers. This would not have happened. Bore size is another huge gain with them as well. I do own one iron ia2 and 2 aluminum ones. The value is obvious to me.

[AIR RAM]

Originally Posted by chiefbigb

I have probably done a dozen factory race blocks over the years. I have a good idea what I'm talking about.

I dont see anyone here questioning your experience or advice... just the cost difference between the two. I dont doubt for a second that you have a wealth of experience that is worth tapping into... however I also know without a doubt the cost between an aftermarket block and converting a cast Iron block to 4 bolt mains are not even remotely close... Unless you consider 2500-3500 bucks close.

Originally Posted by chiefbigb

Anyone can spend their money anyway they want. Its America and a great place to live. Based on my experiance with stock blocks and aftermarket ones I think there is more value in the aftermarket piece than making a stock block a race inspired one. I'm redoing a stock block for my street strip car now. With billet main caps on it and a couple hundred passes the caps have moved a bit and I'm having to redowel them. Redo the line hone and so on. Aftermarket block has dowels and registers. This would not have happened. Bore size is another huge gain with them as well. I do own one iron ia2 and 2 aluminum ones. The value is obvious to me.

Again, I dont see anyone doubting the logic... if they have the money laying around to spend. But what does someone do who does NOT have the money? Buy a Chevy or Ford? The idea of "Aftermarket Pontiac block or bust" that keeps getting advertised literally pushes people away from even building a Pontiac engine at all. Its on every forum... and its always the guys with the most money making that suggestion.

Trust me, If I could afford your advice, we would not be having this discussion.

With that said, do you know what the rotational weights where on the engine above? What RPMs did you subject it to? What was the approximate HP? I find the answers to those questions more valuable to my project then any advice to strap my factory block to a chain and use it for an anchor. LOL JK, I know thats not what you said... just playing.

SPEED SAFE, NICK

[chiefbigb]

Bob weight 2029. 4.210 stroke 4.181 bore. Operates in the low 6000 range.

[AIR RAM]

Originally Posted by chiefbigb

Bob weight 2029. 4.210 stroke 4.181 bore. Operates in the low 6000 range.

Thank you... I do plan to keep my RPMs down to 6000 and below... That should help make up for the slight 152gm increase in bob weight I have over yours.

At the same time, mine will be more dedicated to the street with a few trips down the strip. The suspension will be set up more for twistiest than straight line and will run tires best suited for my time out at the Miami International Speedway road course (13 turns) (Recreation), so I dont think I will experience any "dead hooking" off the line which I think has a whole lot to do with the stress the block sees. I feel the tires will dust off before they hook. My goal is to set it up to run cool around the course without any major over heating issues... and once that's accomplished hit the Power Tour.

Hopefully it will last a couple years and I can save up for an aftermarket aluminum block in the meantime.

Thanks for sharing your Bobweights on that engine!!!

SPEED SAFE, NICK

[Probird]

Johnny- Nothing wrong with the Ross pistons. I personally wouldn't do a 4.5" stroke crank in a stock block. Especially a 3 1/4" main block. My choice between the 2 blocks would be the 428 block.

[Johnny406]

Thank you everybody for your input and advice. Building one with a stock block seems comparable to building a stout motor with a 557 block, it may or may not live. For the time being, I think I will build the 428 as originally planned, with the 990 forged crank and .030 Venolia pistons and ESP rods. I will look around and see if I can find a feasible 3.25 main aftermarket block or perhaps sell a car and spare kidney for a new block. Otherwise, I'll do the best I can with a factory block and cross my fingers (no nitrous) and hope my luck continues...