I really don't know how to ask advice on this...My dad suggested I buy a balanced rotating assembly kit and have it installed; but they cost $1200. I was thinking buy piece by piece such as pistons, crank, etc. for what my budget can handle at the moment, and then let the machine do the install and balance work. Can something like that work for a budget builder like me, could they make all those pieces work together?
In my experience you will have one blaming the other if there are problems. If you are not going to be hands on with building the motor, I would suggest letting the machine shop take the block and determine what your needs are, then let THEM order the parts to make it all work. Usually you will get a warranty of at least the motor starting at that point. This experience comes from a 50 year old guy who has had success and failure in every aspect of car building. But still learning and having fun. Damn, that sounded like a disclaimer. Dan
Well the motor has been checked by the machine shop and it is ok. I just want to know if different parts from different makers can be installed and balanced by a machine shop, because I can't afford to buy a rotating assembly kit all at once. (Such as Eagle crank, KB pistons, SIR rods, etc.)
You can buy the pieces of your rotating assembly a piece at and time and the machine shop can balance it for when you are ready to complete the build. This soon to be 50-year old recommends that you follow that other 50-year old's advice.
who is going to be picking out the ...brand...of the parts? who is going to do the ...specs...on what you need to get the...400-450 HP? ...been-there-done-that...
I haven't thought about it like that. Thanks for opening my eyes. I guess I'll have a long talk to the machine shop guys on Monday.
Dont skimp on the bottom end parts(ya gets what ya pays for)Heck,dont skimp at all,make sure all the parts are good quality.Especially if you want to make 400 horses.Save your dough,accuire your parts then,if they are all quality then any good machine shop will be happy to do the job.
Ditto on the quality parts, you're going to have to spin it into the 6500-8000 rpm range to do what you want. Or go with a stroker and do it at a lower rpm range. My (331) stroker kit, installed in the block only cost me $1200 and that was 4 years ago. Just the kits sell for less now, I've seen em in the $800-900 range. Mine is an Eagle cast steel crank (3.25") SIR rods, forged SRP flat tops. Don't recall the rings, bearings were Clevite's. Been beatin on it for three or more years, been to 7000-7500 a few times usually shifted at 6500 though. Still going strong.
You can also get by with stock parts if you want. The stock C8OE rods with ARP bolts are good to 7500. Ditto on the cranks, as long as you steer clear of the 81-85 50 oz 5.0 cranks. It all depends too on how long you want to stay in the upper rpms.
This 41 year old says that to get those kind of numbers.....be prepared to spend over $7000 ( I would even say WAY more) My 302 is only at 358 "all motor" horsepower....and I know how much it cost.
do you really need to turn 7500? no how fast do you want to go? money=fast are you going to build it yourself?
