Engine Building - V-8 Power Trends And Best-Selling Engine Combos

What We Learned
Talking to 19 different engine builders revealed the prevalence of cheap stroker cranks in engine-building decisions. There was a time when the 496-inch big-block Chevy was considered an exotic monster. Today, if you aren't looking to build a 496 with your factory iron-block 454, you are making a mistake. Another little tidbit we picked up was that guys who buy aftermarket blocks are often boring them out the maximum size and buying the crank with the maximum throw for the biggest cubic inches possible. Big engines are everywhere, so we are also seeing cast-off blocks at the swap meet, and more often at prices that seem downright stupid. Tech Editor Jeff Smith's recent score of a used 496 short-block has been repeated by several readers who have been surprised to find 502 blocks in similar condition at an affordable price. It's not just Chevy, either-go to a racetrack swap meet and see how many used Ford stroker packages the Mustang racers are selling for dirt-cheap. Big is in. Go get some.

By Shifty Photo Sales

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