Crate or Build

[Meansaleen]

Finally pulled motor after blowing head gasket and found that it scored the block and heads by #7 cylinder (had felpro race gasket with metal ring. Ring screwed everything up) now rather than work on factory block and my gt40x heads I'm thinking of dropping in another motor. Either one I will put a blower on it. Do I go for a Ford Racing Boss 302 crate motor or do I build one starting with a Dart block? Crate motor is around $6500 bucks. Building one $????

[WhiteCobra94]

Crate motor is $6500 plus blower $1800-$2600 , building your motor you never know how much it will cost but to me it feels more rewarding knowing that you actually built the beast under the hood!!!!

[Taxman]

Defiantly build it yourself. Don't go cheap, an take your time to assemble... I am doing a 351 now )

that is if your. Comfortable doing the assembly...

[Meansaleen]

Originally Posted by Taxman

Defiantly build it yourself. Don't go cheap, an take your time to assemble... I am doing a 351 now )

that is if your. Comfortable doing the assembly...

If I go the do it myself route I'll probably do a 363.

[Taxman]

Originally Posted by Meansaleen

If I go the do it myself route I'll probably do a 363.

You need to let a good machine look at your block first.
I was going to do a 408 but they told me to go a different route ( which is actually cheaper) after calculating the numbers I'll have a 391ci
Do some research, & take your time.
How much hp are you looking for?

[Meansaleen]

Originally Posted by Taxman

You need to let a good machine look at your block first.
I was going to do a 408 but they told me to go a different route ( which is actually cheaper) after calculating the numbers I'll have a 391ci
Do some research, & take your time.
How much hp are you looking for?

Im gonna get a new block 4 bolt main I'm shooting anywhere from 5-600 rwhp with the blower.

[1995boss]

This is about the build I will be doing. I might buy a crate and a turbo. It's all about the $$$$

[All41]

4 bolt main? So you want to stick with the 302 base... Not a bad idea, since it can be comfortably stroked. I'd do a 327 for sure, or more cubes without maxing the block. No reason to bore it? ... don't bother. Those few cubes mean little, unless you score a wall and need to cut it. Then it may really suck if you've already bored it.

351W is probably the best starting point, but if you want to stick with your "no new issues" set up, that's going to be fine with a good block as your starting point.

[Taxman]

Originally Posted by 1995boss

This is about the build I will be doing. I might buy a crate and a turbo. It's all about the $$$$

I personally wouldn't build over 500hp if that's the case.... You can build a nice 302/351 factory block an save the $$$..

[1995boss]

Originally Posted by Taxman

I personally wouldn't build over 500hp if that's the case.... You can build a nice 302/351 factory block an save the $$$..

Thought about that but I would like to be able to drive like a mad man when I want. I'm looking into the boss 302 and stroking it to a 331. Not sure on a turbine size at the moment, likely would be a single turbo. Then again I'm getting a hard on for KB superchargers again. Too many choices.

[Taxman]

Originally Posted by 1995boss

Thought about that but I would like to be able to drive like a mad man when I want. I'm looking into the boss 302 and stroking it to a 331. Not sure on a turbine size at the moment, likely would be a single turbo. Then again I'm getting a hard on for KB superchargers again. Too many choices.

The choices are a sure thing but don't get big headed  lol
If it's for the street/ an weekend I'd do bout 450/ 500 hp na on a 351 base..... Suspension an good parts will be the other investments...
Remember 600hp is nothing if it can't be planted to the pavement!!

[1995boss]

Originally Posted by Taxman

The choices are a sure thing but don't get big headed  lol
If it's for the street/ an weekend I'd do bout 450/ 500 hp na on a 351 base..... Suspension an good parts will be the other investments...
Remember 600hp is nothing if it can't be planted to the pavement!!

Oh for sure. I've been thinking about this for awhile now. I'm more likely to go in the street/strip direction. I would like to be able to go in the 800hp handling rang with components. The real reason I want a turbo is for the on the go adjustable boost control. Going.from 0 to like 18lbs work me soo cool.

[Trojan Horse]

I'm ultimately planning on going for the Boss 351 block with a fully forged bottom end, stroked to 408 or 427. I expect that the engine alone will be good for 500-600 N/A HP, then I'll add the Novi 2000 to that mix. I should end up with between 800 to 1000 HP depending on the boost level.

Estimated Costs - Not including heads, intake, oil pan, headers, etc., etc..


Boss 351 Block - $1900
Fully forged DSS 427 Stroker kit with balance, piston and rod bolt options- $2500


Total - $4400 for short block.


As you can see by the "rough" estimate, you may be better off buying a crate engine.

[1995boss]

Originally Posted by Trojan Horse

I'm ultimately planning on going for the Boss 351 block with a fully forged bottom end, stroked to 408 or 427. I expect that the engine alone will be good for 500-600 N/A HP, then I'll add the Novi 2000 to that mix. I should end up with between 800 to 1000 HP depending on the boost level.

Estimated Costs - Not including heads, intake, oil pan, headers, etc., etc..

Boss 351 Block - $1900
Fully forged DSS 427 Stroker kit with balance, piston and rod bolt options- $2500

Total - $4400 for short block.

As you can see by the "rough" estimate, you may be better off buying a crate engine.

I'll come pick it up soon haha.

[Trojan Horse]

Originally Posted by 1995boss

I'll come pick it up soon haha.

Not too soon, I haven't even bought the block yet.

[1995boss]

Originally Posted by Trojan Horse

Not too soon, I haven't even bought the block yet.

Lol well I might just have to come to you for help when I get my job started. I'll be in a train a lot. Haha

[Trojan Horse]

Originally Posted by 1995boss

Lol well I might just have to come to you for help when I get my job started. I'll be in a train a lot. Haha

I'll likely be stuck here waiting on you. My injuries don't allow me to get out and do much.

[All41]

Originally Posted by Trojan Horse

I'm ultimately planning on going for the Boss 351 block with a fully forged bottom end, stroked to 408 or 427. I expect that the engine alone will be good for 500-600 N/A HP, then I'll add the Novi 2000 to that mix. I should end up with between 800 to 1000 HP depending on the boost level.

Estimated Costs - Not including heads, intake, oil pan, headers, etc., etc..


Boss 351 Block - $1900
Fully forged DSS 427 Stroker kit with balance, piston and rod bolt options- $2500


Total - $4400 for short block.


As you can see by the "rough" estimate, you may be better off buying a crate engine.

Here's a run down... food for thought. Idonno how prices are now, being generally more expensive as time marches on, but in a down economy...

I bought an A351 Sportsman block when they were about $1,200.00 and went with Eagle forged crank & H-beam rods, JE pistons and built it for nitrous with what worked out to just about 11.4:1 compression. The assembly was put together by Keith Craft, then redone by me with a little help from my brother(there was a reason, I didn't really want to). The shortblock cost me $5,300.00 and the costs went up from there.

I decided on 2" primaries(don't recommend them, as 1 7/8 is plenty and offers more working space), so I got ceramic coated Super Comp longtubes w/ 3" collectors for $648, an Edelbrock Super Victor 351W intake($256 I think), a used Holley 850 DP annular(modified at home- $500) all the timing cover + additional gaskets and harmonic balancer, etc. for another 5 bills or so, ARP studs($85ish) Twisted Wedge R Stage II heads(hand ported by Brian Tooley- excellent job) for another $2,700, plus pushrods, rockers and various miscellaneous pieces, then the oil pump and deep pan. All told, I had over $11,000.00 into the complete engine.

That one made just over 500rwhp and just under 500rwtq. through a perfectly built O/D trans(which cost me another $2,700). Add in the rear end build parts, shifter, electronics(mostly MSD stuff), fuel pump(BG400)... Yeah, I spent too much. I thoroughly enjoyed building it though and feel like building a similar car again, 10yrs + later. The problem is, I don't have nearly as much disposable income these days.

Moral of the story: It gets REALLY expensive to build what you want sometimes. Mine was a 408, btw. I am glad I was able to do the work with a little help from a brother and 1 friend. We had a blast and when I fired it the 1st time with open headers...

Goal was 11.50's. 1st pass at the track, drove out, didn't bother with slicks or juice. 11.49 @ 124mph. I distinctly remember yelling, "THIS DOG WILL HUNT!"