[satandole666]

I'm thinking about getting a 331 stroker kit. Here is my dilemna. I definately want to get better pistons/rods and a crankshaft (at least 500HP capability). I don't know what the stock ones are capable of, but I doubt it is that much. So, is it worth the extra money to get the 331 kit or should I stick with 302 and get upgraded internals? What is the price difference between a 331 kit capable of 500HP and a 500HP 302 setup? Honestly, how much power is the extra 29 inches worth on a fully upgraded engine? Maybe it would be better to put that extra money towards a supercharger. Thoughts?

[satandole666]

Anyone have anything?

[wilit]

Yes, the kit is worth it. But you need to remember, pistons and rods and displacement are only part of the equasion to getting 500hp. You need to worry about getting the right ammount of air and fuel into the combustion chamber as well. A good set of heads, and the right cam make all the difference in the world. Just slapping parts together because they're cheap is not the right way to achieve your goal of 500hp.

And in all honesty, unless you're using a power adder with your 331, you'll be hard pressed to get more than 400hp out of that motor. A friend of mine is running a totally built N/A 408, and barely cracks the 440 mark. Before you buy any parts, I suggest you try and find some back issues of 5.0 and MM&FF magazines. There's a wealth of information in there.

[satandole666]

I don't want 500HP without a power adder. I want to be able to use a power added a little more long term. I'm about to purchase a set of AFR185s and a E303 cam, Edelbrock RPM II, FMS Headers, Bassani X, Borla XR1s, and all of the assorted stuff. I want to do everything in one go. I'd like to get around 350RWHP out of this setup. Does this change your advice at all?

[wilit]

With that combo, 350rwhp should be no problem. You might be hard pressed to get 500rwhp out of it with that E303 cam though. I'd say run it like that, and when you decide to throw on a blower, I'd swap the cam out for something a little less smog friendly

[privatejoker]

the limit here is the block, not the rotating assembly. I've seen the stock rotating assembly take a huge shot of nos and make 6-700 hp. The generally accepted limit for the block is around 400 hp. After that you can expect a cracked block or spun bearings. The big drawback to the stock rotating assembly is the small valve reliefs. You need aftermarket pistons to run big valves.