Freefallin

Im building my first engine (stroker). Its going to be a 408. Ive learned alot in just about a month, much thanks to this forum and you folks.

Despite the ton of knowledge ive gained in just a month, i still run into some things that gets me ????. Like the other day it was "hitting windage tray". I had to spend a good hour searching on here and google trying to figure out what that exactly means.

So now im just looking for something like a "stroker 101" or "how to build a stroker" or "all about building a stroker engine" or "stroker encyclopedia"...you get the idea.

Basically like an ebook or a website which covers EVERYTHING about building a stroker...for beginners (or dummies).

Anyone got recommendations?

conan

iTrader: (5)

The windage tray fits on to the the main studs / bolts. Due to the extra stroke length the connecting rods will hit the tray.

Here is a pick of the bottom end with the tray out. I added 1 flat washer to each of the outer studs to space the tray off the main caps enough to clear my 4" stroke crank.
https://camaroversion20.shutterfly.com/300#300

Heres a pic of the tray on the caps.
https://camaroversion20.shutterfly.com/300#305

You can see the gold flat washers inbetween the stud nuts and the tray.
https://camaroversion20.shutterfly.com/300#304

I also had to tweek the oil pick up tube mount some to get it to sit down on the windage tray.

Freefallin

Thanks for the info conan! But windage is an obstacle i accidently came across on my quest to building a 408.
Im sure ill come across lots of obstacles that i will have no idea how to tackle. I dont want to come here and ask a question that will seem dumb to the knowledgeable ones, hence not even bothering to answer or will simply say to do a search.

Therefore, im just looking for some sorta guide that i could refer to whenever im stumped on something. Hopefully that guide would answer every question i have on building a stroker engine. But if it doesnt have an answer to a specific question, only then would i come on here and ask.

Things i currently am i total beginner in:
1. Cam specs (how to choose a cam). Basically all the technicalities of an aftermarket cam and what all those numbers associated with a cam mean.
2. Cylinder heads. How to choose one and again what all those numbers mean.
3. Compression ratio. How its determined and attained.

Those are only a few examples of what i would like to learn. The rest are what i havent yet run into

conan

iTrader: (5)

Google "how to build LS engine books" there are a bunch of good books that explain and show pics of your Q's

schnellttz06

I built a 415 stroker, gonna put a write up here eventually, but dont worry about the windage tray, you can get them for a 4 inch stroke and even bigger. Just dont rig some crap up.

ckpitt55

iTrader: (4)

Building a stroker is really not that much different than building any other ls motor. Just requires due diligence making sure your rods clear the windage tray and sides of the block. Chris Werner's book is about as good or better than any of the ones out there.

As far as cams, read the "Cam guide" sticky in this forum. Also read this: http://www.compcams.com/Pages/416/va...-tutorial.aspx. Cam choice is kind of subjective, but that should at least give you a primer on what's going on.

Heads - they're differentiated by intake port volume (cc) and combustion chamber volume (cc). in general, you need a larger intake port when you're a) feeding more ci and/or b) looking for top end power. chamber volume affects compression ratio and should be looked at in conjunction with your cam choice so you don't run into ptv issues.

As far as a compression calculator, there's many out there but I'd highly recommend trying to derive your own. If you're going to be spec'ing your own parts there's no better way to learn how everything plays together.

Do you intend to assemble it yourself?

Silver408z

iTrader: (1)

I understand wanting to be involved and learn how things work but specing an engine and assembling it is not something you can learn and do right very easy. Your best bet is talk to engine builders, tell them what you use the car for, what your goals are see what they recommend. There are way to many little things to learn in a short amount of time and they can cost you big power/results. You don't want to be one of the guys posting that your 408 is only making 450 rwhp

RezinTexas

I added more pictures to this thread recently. See post #10 for windage tray spacing.

http://www.performancetrucks.net/for...2500-a-520418/

schnellttz06

Nice write up, but if you have a corvette oil pan, there's no room to put washers on the windage tray. And for fifty bucks it's not worth the hassle, GMPP makes a windage tray for 4" and 4.125" stroke cranks.