Stroker kit or shortblock?

[Roast'em]

I'm trying to weigh out the cost difference and time needed when buying a stroker kit for my stock block or just paying a few bucks more for the whole DSS stroker shortblock.

Most kits look to be in the 1000 - 1200 dollar range and then I'd have to get my block machined, hot tanked, etc and that's another 500 right? Then do I just assemble it or are there some other hidden costs involved? I know some guys on here have built their own, so if they could chime in and tell me is it worth the money saved when assembling a stroker yourself? Or is the proffesionally built and balanced $2500 DSS block the better route?

Rob

[DNeinstadt]

I've got less than $2500 into my stroker shortblock.

But it all depends on how soon you want it and whether or not you're interested in paying for it all at once or breaking it up a bit.

Start collecting pieces.

Dan

[mnstang]

i think buying the shortblock is the better way to go.... that's why i did it.
one of the reasons i did, was because i didn't know of any shops that were real good with ford stuff. everyone knew the ins and outs of chevy's... and granted a motor is a motor, but i think a company that has been building sbf's for 20 years will know more than some shop with joe shmoe doing the machining.
and, time was more of an issue in my case also, so that was another factor for me. it was less than 2 months from the time my old motor broke, and when i got this one fired up.
another big plus is, with a shortblock you get a warranty.
i really think when everything is said and done, buying a shortblock outright isn't even that much more.
and with dss you get that main support, so factor that into the 2500 bucks.
and don't forget if you buy a kit, you have to get those balanced too.
another reason i liked the shortblock.. the thing was ready to go when i got it... the block was painted, all the boltholes in the motor were tapped.... bla bla bla.
and before you do either one, plan on spending alot of money for all the little shit you need to make both work.

[Roast'em]

Greg did you have to send in a core to DSS?

[mnstang]

no, i have my old shortblock sitting in my garage.

[theduckylittle]

Well, here's maybe somethings you have or have not considered... but are maybe worth thinking about.

"Pro Short-block"
* Comes with a warranty <-- VERY nice feature
* It's done and you don't have to fuck with it. <-- very very nice feature
* You don't have to worry about messing up your first engine rebuild.
* They got the parts cheaper than you and saved your time to build it. woohoo.

"Pro Stroke It"
* You can say "I stroked my car until it was faster"
* You've done the work yourself and there's something very satisfying in that.
* It's cheaper.
* You gain the skills that you need to do future engine projects.

The biggest con to doing it yourself, however, is the amount of down time you need if you plan on doing it to your current block. That takes the whole thing down for hte count while you await the funds or the time to actually finish up the project. And that's a real bitch of a feeling.

-Duck

[Roast'em]

Well this would all happen during the winter so I'd have plenty of time to do it. But that warranty and proffesional build sounds nice.

If somebody could break down the cost of doing it yourself with a 1200 dollar 331 rotating assembly I'd appreciate it.

[SVT5LITER]

I guess it depends on what you're looking for. The points have been made.
Myself, I think I'd go the route Greg did when I do mine... just cuz I don't want alot of downtime. Doin' it over the winter eh? Is the garage heated??
Kinda bites when you're out there freezin' yer nards off puttin' together a motor.

It is kinda cool watchin' Dans motor go together tho... and cheaper (well of course in "find a deal" Dan's project ).

Here's a do-it-yourself page on it.
302 Stroker

[SVT5LITER]

Here's a spec page.

331 Specs

[TurboX2]

Don't get all too hopped up over the "warranty" issue. Something goes wrong you first have to get them to agree that it might be something wrong with the motor assembly, vs. something you did. You then have to remove the motor and ship it across the county for $150-$200. At this point its completely out of your hands and away from your eyes, and they may just say it was your fault. You then pay them to fix it, and to ship it back across the country. If you have stuff done locally you walk in personally and deal with it, you get WAY better service face to face than over a telephone.

Besides, there isn't much to go wrong if its properly assembled. Hell, I'm sure Dan's motor will go at least 500 miles before it spins a bearing or something....



You can do it yourself for probably $1600, vs. $2500, if you feel confident enough to put it together I don't see 'piece of mind' being worth $900....

[DNeinstadt]

Originally posted by TurboX2
Hell, I'm sure Dan's motor will go at least 500 miles before it spins a bearing or something....

:fu2:

[TurboX2]

Originally posted by DNeinstadt
:fu2:

Wow, only took 2 minutes...nice RT!! I was only kidding anyway, I feel fully confident that your motor will last for well over 1000 miles...

[DNeinstadt]

You should know I'm on this site every 10 minutes, on average.

[Roast'em]

So Dan, you're saying that if I buy a 1200 dollar rotating assembly I can have all the block prep, balancing etc completely done with 400 bucks?

or is there a cheaper 331 stroker kit that you'd recommend? While you're at it where's the best local machine/engine shop around here?

Rob

[zeus]

The best engine shop, which will be absolutely unmatched by anyone else in town, is Performance Concepts. Talk to Mr. Gene Pierson.

The best dyno (who also is an excellent machine shop) is Ron at R&R Performance.

These are the cream of the crop - nobody is even close.