Posted By: Wyle E Coyote
Is a stroker motor right for me? - 10/19/14 08:15 AM
I've been kicking around what to do with a couple of my rigs lately. I've got an itch to build a motor (haven't done one is at least 20 years), and I've been thinking about stroker motors. Mainly because both rigs I'm working with need to be able to pull a decent load when asked, but still be good for average daily driving. I have both a 360 and a 440 to do this with, so we can discuss the attributes of either or both, preferably both. To help refine the discussion, let's begin with my first project. My 1972 International TravelAll 4x4.
I simply love this truck! It so well suits me and what I need for our family's needs. I like driving it daily, and eventually I hope it to be the wife's kid hauler. So, 95% of the time, this truck will just be a pavement pounder. The IH 345 runs great, but is really limited when it comes to upgrades. I want it to be my family outing rig. Hook onto a travel trailer and take the family (of 6) camping. Set up camp then lock the hubs and go adventuring up high in the back country. So I feel that keeping things mild is best. It has to manage some realistic milage numbers, and be able to handle loafing along on the dusty trail without extra attention.
I'm leaning towards the 408 and a 46RH trans, with a converted GM TBI set-up for fuel. Should give the torque I need for good towing, but not break the bank when putting around town or hauling the kids around for my wife. I know that the big block will also do that, but I'm concerned about the fuel economy. Can the O/D trans and the TBI really do enough to make this thing affordable to drive? I remember back in the day, we used to talk volumetric efficiency a lot. Is this still the case? What about going to the Gen III motors? I'm not opposed to that, but it would be a bit of a learning curve. I can go any direction at this point, I just want to make my decision wisely.
What say you? Thanks everyone!!!!!
Posted By: SpareParts
Re: Is a stroker motor right for me? - 10/19/14 08:45 AM
If it were my truck (I do love me some old IH trucks) it would get a Cummins 4bt motor with the P pump so fast it wouldn't be funny. That would be killer! Can make 300+ whp fairly simple and get great fuel mileage compared to the gasser, not to mention TORQUE! probably make around 5-600 ft/lbs
I'm a Cummins 12v enthusiast so that's my first choice of truck motor
Posted By: gregsdart
Re: Is a stroker motor right for me? - 10/19/14 11:22 AM
What about a bone yard 360 Magnum with TBI? Or a 383 and TBI? The Magnum 360 heads are a lot better from what I here than earlier LA heads. The 383 would allow you to pick a middle size combo if you want a lot more torque. You can offset grind a 383 crank to 3.54 or close, put a set of BBC rods in it with custom pistons so you can use a more modern ring pack(less drag) and have a range of 388 to 420 cubes so the mileage is decent. The 383 based engine would have mostly shelf stock parts in case you ever need to go through it again. Same with the magnum, and you would have a hydraulic roller cam as well. The Magnum would offer a better valve train stock. Not having added up costs for the various combos, I would think the 360 Magnum ought to offer the best combo at a fairly low cost.
Posted By: gch
Re: Is a stroker motor right for me? - 10/19/14 01:50 PM
Stroking is right for everybody.
You may consider having a custom set of pistons and cam ground for the 345 and letting a competent head porter loose on the heads.Probably be a lot less money than some of these other projects(if that is a consideration.A throttle body would be a nice upgrade for mileage as well as adapting an od tranny.
Posted By: QTR MILR
Re: Is a stroker motor right for me? - 10/19/14 03:07 PM
Being that I love anything IH I'd go with the 392 option... IH motors were all about TQ. I would look into an overdrive set up to help with the mileage on the highway... Just my
By the way got any pics??
Posted By: Wyle E Coyote
Re: Is a stroker motor right for me? - 10/19/14 03:44 PM
Yeah, I've thought about the 392, but I am currently ruling it out for a couple of reasons. FIrst, I don't have one. I'm trying to use up what I have laying around. Second is cost. Parts sources are limited and not that cheap. I'd love to keep it all IH too, but I wonder if for the foreseeable future, if something else in there wouldn't be better for my current situation. I tried to put up a pict last night. I'll try again.
Posted By: justinp61
Re: Is a stroker motor right for me? - 10/19/14 04:00 PM
A 360 with a 4" crank thinks it's a big block, that's the route I'd take.
Posted By: Crizila
Re: Is a stroker motor right for me? - 10/19/14 04:26 PM
408 that 360. Best bang for the $. You will like it.
Posted By: herkamer
Re: Is a stroker motor right for me? - 10/19/14 04:29 PM
WIth a 408 or bigger motor, you will need to probably source a 4 barrel throttle body if you insist on going that route. Any stock GM unit won't cut the mustard. The biggest they offered was 670CFM on the 454, which Holley robbed for the first Pro-Jection kits. That throttle body is what I have on the W350 and even a mostly stock 360 will test the limits of that. It's already at the biggest injector made for that application and rated for 275hp, so nowhere to go besides adding more injectors. Also, the GM computer will have no provisions for overdrive control. I can't speak for some of the aftermarket or unlocked ones out there.
To save budget on the SB build, I would scavenge a setup out of a 94-96 Dakota. It will have all the wiring you need. Megasquirt 2 or 3 will more than handle what you are looking for. I built mine off the Pro-jection harness and added what I needed to make it work. At some point I will probably go to a magnum top end and 8 injectors in batch fire configuration, unless I end up going with a Cummins... There can be some issues with the low impedance injectors which require additional equipment.
I can't complain...for a 1 ton truck with 4.10 gears and overdrive,pulling the 2 big mountain passes it averages between 16-18 on the highway. I've yet to get it on flat land to see what it will do.
Posted By: urdustd
Re: Is a stroker motor right for me? - 10/19/14 04:31 PM
Boy does that bring back childhood memories. My folks had a 72 1010 2wd Travelall we used to tow a tag camping trailer with. It had the 392 in it and a tow package. Best it would do was 10-12 mpg, but could have towed 2 trailers!
If my choices are the 360 or 440 I'd stroke the small block and keep the cam timing relatively conservative like an XE260 or XE268 or maybe the 450/455 lift purple cam. You wouldn't want much over 9 to 1 compression as cylinder pressure would be pretty high with a stroker. A magnum 360 with or even without the 4" crank would be a nice choice. Overdrive trans and it might not be that bad on gas.
Keep us posted on your decision!
Posted By: littleVAL
Re: Is a stroker motor right for me? - 10/19/14 06:49 PM
Of course the best solution is the most expensive. It would be a gen3 hemi that drops cylinders and has overdrive for the mileage you would want in a daily driver kind of vehicle. The second best would be a magnum motor probably with a stroker crank to get the power needed. You would again want to take advantage of modern fuel injection and overdrive available for that engine. I would personally stay away from a cummins just because of the weight. Would really strain your suspension etc.
