Is it possible to build a Chevy stroker engine?
Is it possible to build a Chevy stroker engine?
Today, it’s a walk in the park to build a 500 hp small-block and a 650 hp big-block Chevy with purely aftermarket parts–but these engines enjoy lots of cubic inches. The best way to minimize problems with a stroker upgrade is to purchase a complete rotating assembly with a crank, pistons, and rods.
How many horsepower does a small block Chevy have?
It wasn’t all that long ago (okay, LBJ was president and Bonanza was a hit TV show so maybe it was a long time ago) that a factory 327 / 350 hp small-block has serious street cred’ and Chevy’s 427 making 435 horsepower was boulevard king.
How tall is the block on a Chevy stroker engine?
A quick deck clearance calculation for any piston and rod combo is block deck height – ½ stroke – piston compression height – rod length. So with a small-block deck height of 9.025, if we have a stroke of 4.00 inches, a compression height of 1.150 inches, and a rod length of 5.850 inches then: (4.00 /2) + 1.150 + 5.850 = 9.00 inches.
What’s the minimum clearance for a Chevy stroker engine?
For engines with steel rods, the minimum piston-to-head clearance is 0.040-inch but lots of builders push this to 0.035 or less – but that only works with minimal piston rock. Too little clearance and the piston will smack the cylinder head.
It wasn’t all that long ago (okay, LBJ was president and Bonanza was a hit TV show so maybe it was a long time ago) that a factory 327 / 350 hp small-block has serious street cred’ and Chevy’s 427 making 435 horsepower was boulevard king.
Today, it’s a walk in the park to build a 500 hp small-block and a 650 hp big-block Chevy with purely aftermarket parts–but these engines enjoy lots of cubic inches. The best way to minimize problems with a stroker upgrade is to purchase a complete rotating assembly with a crank, pistons, and rods.
A quick deck clearance calculation for any piston and rod combo is block deck height – ½ stroke – piston compression height – rod length. So with a small-block deck height of 9.025, if we have a stroke of 4.00 inches, a compression height of 1.150 inches, and a rod length of 5.850 inches then: (4.00 /2) + 1.150 + 5.850 = 9.00 inches.
For engines with steel rods, the minimum piston-to-head clearance is 0.040-inch but lots of builders push this to 0.035 or less – but that only works with minimal piston rock. Too little clearance and the piston will smack the cylinder head.
