there was a member here that built a GenIII for a dirt modified here. Seems they had some bearing probs, but corrected some oiling issues and it worked.... can't for the life of me remember who it was.

I have only had decent flat top pump gas BB's. I have a decent flat top stroked Gen III now and it's a no brainer. This 45 yr old is done with the old stuff, unless I have something fall into my lap and the budget dictates.

CHAPPER did, and it took an aftermarket crank to get to live at 8000+ and a 13qt pan iirc.

you know the old Hemi guys in the 60s felt the same way about the 440's and small block Chevys
Time has a way of moving forward, and it's a good thing that some people stay in the past....

Yep, I think it was the 6.1 crank's cross drilling that caused oil starvation

I don't think he used a 6.1 crank, IIRC he used a 5.7 crank.

I keep seeing the word cost thrown around. What's the comparative ballpark dollar value for a guy starting from scratch?

No friend deals and nothing sitting in garage, buying aftermarket stuff at full price, blocks from junkyard or Craigslist, assembling everything himself except the short block, and also paying a shop for machining... what would be the cost to build a turn key 700hp BB vs a turn key 700hp G3 street engine, with headers and motor mounts to fit in a late 60's B body?

Ohhhhh boy. This should get good.

For your 700 hp Gen III you can use junkyard stuff, sixpackgut would be one of the guys to answer this question the best.

Your shortblock cost will likely be about the same because it will all be aftermarket rods, crank, pistoms, etc. The top end is where the G3 will shine. Factory heads, lifters, and rockers. The intakes are still stupid expensive but your still cheaper with a G3 IMO.

When you get to ignition for the BB you need to buy, a coil, a distributor, an ignition box, and plug wires. For the Hemi you can use your stock coils and get an MSD Hemi 6 to handle everything else.

Your headers and mounts will likely cost about the same for either engine.

And we're off! This is a honest look, apples to apples for the 600-650 HP target. Of note, one can find Eagle heads cheaper than my listed $750, just threw that number out there. There is also a new single plane Arrow intake that hit the market for $550. Of course there is more than one approach to the build, these were comparable parts and their costs:

No need for anything other than good rods and pistons to build a 700 hp 440. I have a .030" over 440 that makes about 700 hp w/ a stock crank and block.

Ummmm I'm with Chip. The 440 that was in the Dragster had stock block and crank 440 Source rod and pistons. Small roller and OOTB -1 heads. Did not have a ton of money in it as the heads, intake, and rockers were all bought used(wont buy from Indy). Basic machine work and balancing and off she went. 8.30/160 all the time in Vegas between 675-700

The costs are about the same regardless of platform. I've done the math, created spreadsheets and even built a few of them.

Al is cheating and using used parts. He also broke the block in his dragster so there is that to consider. I haven't heard of any G3's splitting blocks at those power levels.

While you might be able to save some money on using a stock crank in a 440, you're going to save money using factory G3 heads over the Indy varieties mentioned above that are >$3K new.

It's a balancing act, I continue to take the stance though that it doesn't matter, you're going to end up spending the same money give or take a few bucks.

cudadoug, that's pretty spendy for a 600hp RB. I see 2.5k worth of stuff there you do not need for only a 600hp RB based stroker.

My spread sheet isn't to say one is better then the other, it's just a side by side comparison. However, with the exception of the block cores (and Gen 3 heads) these are NEW part prices.

We all have had "not a ton of money" in bullets before as they're are always used parts deals to be had someplace. The above example is based on: acquire the used cores and then open the required catalogs and order.

Broken block because I didn't bother to chrck it, I have the tools :)Didn't think we needed to bother, obviously wrong. Nothing wrong with buying used parts and making them useable. A lot of stuff out there to purchase for a song. Just have to realize they will need work. I have put together a lot of low dollar BB's over the years that were well under $6K.

I have built, sold, bought a TON of stuff over the years. I buy a lot of "used" stuff that has never been used. Contrary to popular belief I am not a rich guy, just try to be smart about it. I have looked into the gen 3 stuff and as of yet am not overly impressed. Must be the old guy in me. For me bang for the buck a BB is going to be easier way to make that kind of power. Not poopooing anyones stuff but have not seen many NA Gen 3 pieces that make me sit up and take notice.

Maybe someone needs to do the Gen 3 like the LS guys do. Buy a junkyard Gen3 bolt a turbo on it and run it. When it blows go get another. Seems to work for a lot of fast LS stuff

I just bought a complete eagle 109,000 miles, non mds engine off CL for $300 threw it in my truck and am driving it now. That is a screaming deal but I frequently see cores around $500 and have 2 sitting under the bench right now. I more commony find the early ones for under $500 and have 3 of them sitting around. While it will not get you 700 HP (probably be close with some cubes and compression thrown in the short block with a good $500 arrow intake) a new 6.4 cam (.577 lift) from the dealer cost me $68 and matching valve springs are under $200. If thats not enough regrind it for under $100 to get you what you need. The factory lifters in that core usually will work in a 700 hp motor, stock 440 ones not so much and the cheap regrind only gets you a flat tappet cam. Another thing about the new hemi, real nice, MLS head gaskets are $22 from autozone.

Really though I don't see a reason to build your own stroker gen III when you cna buy a 6.4 short block from the dealer for around $2500 or in other words the price of a 6.4 stroker kit for your 5.7. Mill your boneyard heads for a little comp, do a little port clean up, throw on a good intake and you probably can be under $4000 in a quality motor then the exterior stuff is very similar price like quality headers.

Another option is buy a complete used 6.4 off car part . com or ebay throw in a bigger cam, better intake and quality headers and you can be close to 700 at the flywheel without even pulling the heads. After all they are making nearly 500 SAE net with sucky exhaust and emmision friendly tune and cam and a quietified intake.

Guess we need to see more timeslips. I am a visual guy and short of Dustin and Ray have not seen to many slips at all. Also what kind of money do those two have in their set ups? I am genuinely curious. FWIW I have nott seen to many cheap core engines but I am sure they are out there. We considered it for my old truck at one point and may again.

Dave_S combo
5.7 (+.020) from an 05 Ram
Home ported eagle heads (stock valves) Manley DragPak springs
6.1 crank, K1 rods, Wiseco dished pistons 10.7:1 comp
6.1 cam and lifters. Trend stock length 5/16 pushrods
stock rockers
6.1 intake with 90mm t/body
MS3x inj. with ford motorsports 160 lb/hr injectors
76mm turbo a/a intercooler
9.47@144 so far
3000lb Dart 3.23 gears in 8 3/4. powerglide
has gone 8.93 now

dont know how to attach a link but for those interested check out post:please share your gen 3 hemi builds
lots of good info