CTSV05

Since it appears my season is over, unless something lucky happens, I'm looking to next year.

I'll list a couple of options I have and let me know what you would do or think I should do.

Right now, I'm, well was, running a 421 cu.in with AFR220s, my best e.t. was a 10.62, my best mph was a 127. Not on the same run.

My block is junk so a new one is inevitable.

Here are my choices as I see them.

I want to run deep into the 9s, I don't have the budget yet for a blower, and nitrous is acceptable, but would rather avoid, as I have no convenient way to get refills, an hour drive minimum.

I can purchase a new block and reuse my rotating assy., and use the 23* heads with nos. Buy a nos cam and spray every pass. But, with the 6" rod and high ring land, will be limited on how far I can push this combo.

I have a set of Bowtie 18* heads valves, and rockers, I can steal the springs from my 23s.

I can buy a block, pistons and use my crank and rods, and run the 18* heads, but I can't spray these as there is a small crack from where the bolt hole was sleeved, so I will need to go N/A.

Or I could purchse a new short block and run a different cu.in setup, as I personally wasn't impressed with the 421. I can get a 434 sht blk for around the 4000.00 area with blk, and all new parts. My stuff has been around for awhile, and may or may not be wearing out.

Let me know your opinions, Thanx.

uberLS-1

spray the ***** of off it....what stops you from dropping the rotating assembly into a new block with nitrous cam/pistons? and save some $$ versus the 18* set-up

CTSV05

Well, the current rotating assy. has over 100 + passes. But my biggest concern is that with a 6" rod, and a high pin placement, the piston isn't going to like over 200 horse nos for any length of time.

But, at this time no option is ruled out.

uberLS-1

agreed on the placement and crown thickness, are you using an aftermarket block this time around? If so, what about a taller deck height and a theoretically higher compression piston to put more material above the pin....but in the taller deck the equivalent piston will have less compression. Might work, might not.

CTSV05

Certainly an idea.

But I think raised deck SB gets pricey quick.

But yes, I am going to an aftermarket block, as I had $1300 in this last stock block, so why not spend the extra, and do away with the head bolts into the water jackets.

I think this is where the trouble started. Hope to tear it down soon.

Ohio Cr. has a 555" BB for only a 100 more than a 434 SB, If I thought I could sell my SB heads and buy a set of BB Alum and valvetrain and keep the money the same I might do that.

I love SB, but it gets alot harder to run the #s I want N/A.

Villain281H

iTrader: (5)

only problem a big block brings (and I know this because I've run into the same headache) is when you change, you have to buy new headers, water pump, brackets, intake, etc etc, not to mention the extra 150-200 pounds of weight you're adding over the front axle.

I'd go the 434 route, but that's just me...

Good luck whatever you choose!

Derek

uberLS-1

Although I am building a small block now and can agree with Villian. Even if there were an extra 200 lbs going to a BBC the more then ample power (Especially torque) will more then make up for it. When you are looking that close in cost and this is just a street/ strip car, I say step into a big block. The small blocks are awesome but with a Big block even a factory 454 4-bolt Block can handle 1000 HP with little effort. Where as a 434 with a decent rotating assembly can window a stock block without a power adder even using only 23 degree heads. If this were more of a street car then anything else, or especially a road race car, then I would be all about the small block....if I were doing my own again, I would be getting a big block.

68maro

i just can't understand why the 421 doesn't run any better than it does in your truck. we have a budget 383 with dart pro 1 230's in a 3100lb vega and it runs 10.50's-60's on the motor and can drive all day on the street and with a mild nitrous tune went 9.30 at 146 driving through the converter. it went 5.93 in the 1/8th.

68maro

oh and i'm another vote for big block

CTSV05

The reason the 421 isn't faster? Too much motor to fill with my current heads. At least IMO.

I throwing a cheapie 406 together with my current top end, so I'm anxious to see if dropping cubes will make a difference.

Hell, I had a flat top 406 with Trick Flow Twisted Wedge heads, they only flowed 228 @ 6, a 575 solid flat tappet cam, 4.56 gear, and a T-350, it went 11.70 on motor with a nitrous converter!! Foot braking it leaving at 1800.