Moparts
Which 4" crank for 340 build ?
Posted By: Beebuzzn
Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/07/09 11:24 PM
Taking my 68' 340 std bore block in to get sonic checked and see how the bores look this week and need to start ordering parts. This is going to be street/strip type build. I'm looking at a few different forged cranks. K1 heavy but cheaper, Scat and Callies which are lighter but more $$ Is 10-12 lbs savings worth the extra $$$ I plan on going with scat 4340 I beam rods.
Posted By: quick77rt
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/07/09 11:29 PM
Is 10-12 lbs savings worth the extra $$$
Make sure your not going to have to spend $$$ on getting the lighter weight crank balanced.
The K1 and ones like it (weight) ended up in an internal balance with no $$$$ on balance weight.
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/07/09 11:41 PM
I've owned a couple at the same time, a Callies Dragonslayer and a Scat Lightweight, I chose to build my engine using the Scat because it was lighter, both appeared to be excellent cranks and were delivered within spec, no problem, never used a K1 but hear good things. Using Carillo steel rods (which are pretty light) and Diamond Lightweight pistons my crank required no extra metal to balance it.
I am a believer in keeping the lower end as light as possible for reasons of longevity, one possible side benifit is a quicker reving engine/better 60 ft times, but I doubt it's a huge difference. Contact Ryan at Shady Dell, he knows about all there is about them, he can probably lead you the right way.
Posted By: Beebuzzn
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 12:02 AM
Thanks for the info and I plan on contacting Ryan J and a few others as I plan on running some iron x heads that will need a max effort to make them flow.
Posted By: AndyF
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 12:19 AM
Callies also has a 4.250 crank in stock, K1 has 4.125 cranks and Hughes has a 4.180 crank. Most of those kits will work with Chevy 6.125 or 6.200 connecting rods but the Hughes crank uses Quad 4 rod bearings.
So a lot more choices than just the usual 4.00 inch crank.
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 12:26 AM
Yea, my scat started life as a 4.0 but it was further customized and stroked to 4.125 to help me get to 426 cid. Back then the off the shelf over 4.0 cranks weren't around yet.
Posted By: Brian Hafliger
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 12:36 AM
Quote:
Taking my 68' 340 std bore block in to get sonic checked and see how the bores look this week and need to start ordering parts. This is going to be street/strip type build. I'm looking at a few different forged cranks. K1 heavy but cheaper, Scat and Callies which are lighter but more $$ Is 10-12 lbs savings worth the extra $$$ I plan on going with scat 4340 I beam rods.
That's what we do alot of...Scat 4340 4" cranks and I beam rods. If you have the money the liteweight crank is nice, but the std. weight will work and most likely will not be noticeable in a street/strip build.
I also use KB forged pistons, total bobweight is around 1750-1760g.
You will be very happy with this setup!!
Posted By: S/ST 3040
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 12:37 AM
I will NEVER buy another item with K-1 name on it.
Posted By: Quicktree
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 01:16 AM
Quote:
I will NEVER buy another item with K-1 name on it.
you can't make a statement like that without telling us why?
Posted By: Cudahlr
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 01:17 AM
Quote:
I will NEVER buy another item with K-1 name on it.
Please explain.
Posted By: S/ST 3040
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 01:56 AM
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 02:34 AM
Quote:
It has nothing to do with the crankshafts.
i talked with Tom over 2 years ago about 4.125 and 4.250 cranks. it's not like it's a new concept. i was also the guy that got the 360 main 4" cranks made. at the time i had a lot more than than 5 made. they came in on pallets. i believe i bought every 340/360 2.1 journal 4" crank they had available at the time.
i wasn't privy to the conversation between Tom and BPE, but i do know that any time your looking for an exclusive deal, it usually takes more than 5 cranks, a lot more actually and you always want a signed contract. that's just good business.
we've been very happy with the K-1 products and as far as i know, so have my customers. fortunately for all of us, we all have plenty of choices now for mopar crankshafts. 
Posted By: S/ST 3040
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 03:00 AM
Dan........I have no intention of starting a pissing match with anybody
here. I was privy to the conversations and the agreement.
I hope you sell 40 Callies cranks this month.
Posted By: Beebuzzn
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 04:36 AM
I like the idea of going bigger than 4" stroke but since I will be using the old x heads with a max port job I still won't be able to maximize what a 4"stroke is capable of. I am looking at Diamond pistons around 9.5/1 and a hyd cam. This build up will be going in a 70 challenger 4 spd with 3.55 gears. Cam suggestions ? I have a comp xe284h and maybe use some 1.6 rockers ? I want to use my stock valve covers and I know that will limit my choice on the rockers.
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 05:18 AM
There's acouple ways to deal with rocker clearance in stock valve covers. The baffles can be removed and replaced with smaller/shallower ones, and you can use double VC gaskets to gain some clearance.
Posted By: ademon
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 05:37 AM
i had a post way back about the stock 340 v/c clearing the comp pro magnum rockers i have, another member said his cleared the comps without any mods, i did knock the baffles upward, i'm going to install them in a couple weeks, get the moroso silicon gaskets.
Posted By: justinp61
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 09:03 AM
Quote:
i did knock the baffles upward,
Same here, I ran 1.6 Hughes with my stock heads with .592" lift in stock valve covers. They're now on my Edelbrocks with .633" lift.
If I were doing a 340 I would use a Callies Dragon Slayer. I have a K-1 in my 408, it checked out good.
Posted By: rickstershemi
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 12:27 PM
My choice would be "Compstar"
Rickster
Posted By: S/ST 3040
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 12:42 PM
The only Compstar cranks I see they are currently
making for Mopar is for the 5.7 and 6.1 Hemi.
Posted By: rickstershemi
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 02:12 PM
Quote:
The only Compstar cranks I see they are currently
making for Mopar is for the 5.7 and 6.1 Hemi.
Bummer....they are very nice pieces 
Rickster
Posted By: dusturbd340W5
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 11:13 PM
I used a Callies 4.00 in my build and am very happy the bob weight was 1891 and it balanced internal with 0 heavy metal needed.
Posted By: Scamp408
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/08/09 11:28 PM
Alot of people talking about a stroker crank maybe we can get a group buy LOL
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/09/09 12:45 AM
BTW, forgot to mention my bob weight, it is right around 1650
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/09/09 02:27 AM
Quote:
Alot of people talking about a stroker crank maybe we can get a group buy LOL
i posted before i'd be willing to do group buy, but i didn't have many truely interested party's. 
Posted By: HotRodDave
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/09/09 04:44 AM
Posted By: Scamp408
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/09/09 11:52 AM
I am so confused now between all the stroker post about cranks.Some say eagle or scat than some say stay away.I hear k1 than others say stay away.I am just about ready to order and I only want to do this once.LOL
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/09/09 03:10 PM
The Eage crank my buddy just used worked out ok in the end but it was a mess out of the box and required a bunch of corrections, lots of journal taper, no two journals the same size, crank snout dia. was undersized and required a custom balancer, etc. After seeing that one I'll never buy one.
Posted By: Quicktree
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/09/09 03:33 PM
Quote:
I am so confused now between all the stroker post about cranks.Some say eagle or scat than some say stay away.I hear k1 than others say stay away.I am just about ready to order and I only want to do this once.LOL
you can't go wrong with a callies
Posted By: B3422W5
Re: Which 4" crank for 340 build ? - 09/09/09 03:34 PM
Quote:
Quote:
I am so confused now between all the stroker post about cranks.Some say eagle or scat than some say stay away.I hear k1 than others say stay away.I am just about ready to order and I only want to do this once.LOL
you can't go wrong with a callies
that would be my thought as well...why wonder???