• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Durability in low deck strokers

TexasRoadRunner68

Well-Known Member
Local time
2:23 PM
Joined
Jul 24, 2013
Messages
546
Reaction score
203
Location
Dallas,Texas
Looking at possibly doing a 400 stroked out to 470 or 512 cubic inches with a 440 source kit. I know anything 500 or over puts the wrist pin near the oil ring because of the super short piston. The car would be a mostly street car with occasional track use. Do you get a lot more oil burning or piston wear when you go big? I could take a few less cubic inches for more longevity. But if it’s about the same, I know you get more power and torque with the extra cubes. I should also have a 440 block, but it’s date correct for the car and I don’t want to risk killing it.
 
Not sure on the 400, my 383/496 is probably the same pistons n rods just smaller bore. Coming up on 2 yrs running it. No racing, but lots of street driving. Doesn't burn a drop of oil.
 
Stock 5.3 LS chev has a CH of 1.330"

511 (4.25" stroke, 6.535 rod) CH = 1.320"

Nothing to worry about IMO.
 
We did a 451 stroked 400 block back in 2002. I put over 30,000 miles on it.
Drag raced it for 2 seasons 2004 to 2006.Pulled it and put it in another car.
Still alive and well to this day.Very strong runner. I say it was the best engine I ever owned.
 
The 512 uses the same pistons as the 470.
Oil ring grooves not an issue in that size.
The 500 runs the oil ring issues
 
1.320" CH? No worries. I wouldn't mind the 1.12 CH 500 pistons either for the lighter weight, but 512 sounds good.
 
A 470 will rev to the moon faster than the 512. I’d put my 470 up against my dads 505 (440 stroked) anytime.
 
I have a 400/493", which has the oil ring at the wrist pin. I am not impressed one bit with the motor. I have a 451 that will walk all over the 493. If I do another one, it will be a 470 for sure.
 
1.320" CH? No worries. I wouldn't mind the 1.12 CH 500 pistons either for the lighter weight, but 512 sounds good.

I am collecting parts for a 1.12 CH 499. Mahle makes a really nice piston in 4.350 and 4.375 bore sizes.
 
I have a 400/493", which has the oil ring at the wrist pin. I am not impressed one bit with the motor. I have a 451 that will walk all over the 493. If I do another one, it will be a 470 for sure.

What's going on with the 493? Cranking compression, oil consumption, just down on power?
 
What's going on with the 493? Cranking compression, oil consumption, just down on power?
Idle to 3500 from or so is just a dog. After that it is fine. I am going to experiment with a different intake manifold this spring to see if it wakes it up. If not, I'll probably pull it and build something else. Just sucks that I have 14k into this motor and it doesn't do what I specified to the builder.
 
Looking at possibly doing a 400 stroked out to 470 or 512 cubic inches with a 440 source kit. I know anything 500 or over puts the wrist pin near the oil ring because of the super short piston. The car would be a mostly street car with occasional track use. Do you get a lot more oil burning or piston wear when you go big? I could take a few less cubic inches for more longevity. But if it’s about the same, I know you get more power and torque with the extra cubes. I should also have a 440 block, but it’s date correct for the car and I don’t want to risk killing it.

The 500" 400 piston has the 1.122" compression height and the pin does go through the lower part of the oil ring, so an oil ring support is used.
The reason for the short compression height is the combination uses the longer 6.760" rod. This would have less side loading and more dwell at TDC, and is also lightweight, so it is a nice combination if running high RPM. If running a mild cam, lower RPM, the 512" combination would be a torque monster
 
Idle to 3500 from or so is just a dog. After that it is fine. I am going to experiment with a different intake manifold this spring to see if it wakes it up. If not, I'll probably pull it and build something else. Just sucks that I have 14k into this motor and it doesn't do what I specified to the builder.
Is that really where you want the performance? What camshaft, converter and gear are in it?
 
Is that really where you want the performance? What camshaft, converter and gear are in it?
Yes it is. I want the torque down low for a fun street car. All the specs were given to the builder before before starting. 69 Bee, Hemi 4-speed, Strange 60 3.23's, 28" tall tires, Quick Fuel Q-850, TTI headers to a 3" full exhaust, Trick Flow 240's. Car has a Ramcharger hood, so he slightly ported/modifed a Weiand Action + for hood clearance. He told me the 600 ft lbs the motor puts out will make up for the bottleneck of the intake no problem. It sucks imo. I picked up a Edelbrock TM6 and have a line on a Holley Street Dominator. Both shorter single planes that I can get under my hood. I am going to try one of those this spring.....


View attachment 1242592

20220219_092544.jpg
 
Last edited:
Yes it is. I want the torque down low for a fun street car. All the specs were given to the builder before before starting. 69 Bee, Hemi 4-speed, Strange 60 3.23's, 28" tall tires, Quick Fuel Q-850, TTI headers to a 3" full exhaust. Car has a Ramcharger hood, so he slightly ported/modifed a Weiand Action + for hood clearance. He told me the 600 ft lbs the motor puts out will make up for the bottleneck of the intake no problem. It sucks imo. I picked up a Edelbrock TM6 and have a line on a Holley Street Dominator. Both shorter single planes that I can get under my hood. I am going to try one of those this spring.....


View attachment 1242592

View attachment 1242593
I’m not in love with intake choice, so a single plane should help, but nothing you do to that combo will make up for that 28” tire/3.23 gear combo. I’d recommend a gear change. I run a 3.73 gear with that tire and I wouldn’t go any higher. I’ve even considered putting the 4.10 back in.
 
I’m not in love with intake choice, so a single plane should help, but nothing you do to that combo will make up for that 28” tire/3.23 gear combo. I’d recommend a gear change. I run a 3.73 gear with that tire and I wouldn’t go any higher. I’ve even considered putting the 4.10 back in.
I like to be able to cruise on the freeway at 70. I have 3.55's and 28" tires in my RR with the 451. That combo rocks and has at least 50 less hp and torque than the Bee.
On another note, have you ever used either of those single planes I mentioned? Which one would you lean towards trying?
 
I like to be able to cruise on the freeway at 70. I have 3.55's and 28" tires in my RR with the 451. That combo rocks and has at least 50 less hp and torque than the Bee.
On another note, have you ever used either of those single planes I mentioned? Which one would you lean towards trying?
The street dominator would be my choice. The 3.55 would still be an improvement over the 3.23. I highway drive my 3.73 with no issues even without the OD on.
 
Not sure on the 400, my 383/496 is probably the same pistons n rods just smaller bore. Coming up on 2 yrs running it. No racing, but lots of street driving. Doesn't burn a drop of oil.
Diesel- mind sharing specs of your build- I am putting together the same build from 440 Source this Spring. Thanks
 
Hands down the Street Dom 300-14.....

Do you remember where that Cam C/Line was installed or the final psi targeted for the 3.23/28" tall ?
Seems strange the 493 would dis-appoint down low ?
 
I am going to bet the Quickfuel q850 is the culprit. The ch of the piston has zero to do with poor performance.
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top