Starting from scratch what's your preference and why? Indy SR CNC295 will be the head. Comp. .650 solid the cam.

512 all the way. More cubes, uses the 2.2 chevy rod vs the stock 2.375 journals, 1.32 compression ht. vs the 1.12 ht. of the 499.

Muscle Motors doesn't even offer the low deck 499 anymore, why bother.

512 all the way. 499 has a short piston skirt, it tends to wear faster. the 512 is longer, more stable & more choice in piston options.

i can see the 512 might be the better combo in a 440 block but not a lo deck. the 4.250 stroke in a lo deck requires a shorter rod(6.535) to keep the piston at 0 deck or in the bore. seems to me the 4.150 crank with the 6.760 rod and the 1.120 pin height would be better in a lo deck or even a 6.535 rod with the 4.150 crank and a 1.350 pin height would give a better rod /stroke ratio than the 512 with the shorter rod. im no professional here but i think the longer rod is the better deal.

http://victorylibrary.com/mopar/rod-tech-c.htm

for a race engine I'd go with the 499, it seems to be a bit more efficient based on the mathematics

Theoretically the shorter rod will keep the piston at TDC for less degrees of crankshaft rotation, which will be more pump gas friendly. That was one of the reasons I went with a 6.535" rod.

If you don't have good enough heads for the cubic inches the longer rod is a better way to go. It just depends on the desired usage. Some are different then others.

Of all the guys running 512 low decks I haven't heard any complaints, just good power. I built a 499 with the 6.535 rods, and the piston skirt showing out the bottom of the bore bothered me, but it never gave any trouble and that motor lived a long, hard, life. I would go with the 4.25 stroke.

I couldn't have said it better. I ran a 511 CID (4.375" bore) low deck and loved it. I do recommend a main cap aid (aluminum caps or a girdle).

One thing about the LD 512. The 1.54 rod ratio adds more thrust on the cylinder wall. I would make sure you have the block sonic tested and find a good one. No need to be worried about a short comp height. OEM engines now are all close to 1" comp height and go 200,000 miles. In your light car with the heads you have I would do a 470. Quicker rpms and your heads will support 470 cubes well.

My first pump gas 511 stroker (4.375x 4.250 stroke w/BB Chevy rod journals sizes)400 block motor had a forged steel H beam BB Chevy type 6.800 long rod and Ross custom 22.0 cc dish pump gas pistons, that was built in and dynoed in 2002, started driving and racing that motor in 2005 and is till running today. I swapped the 4.250 stroke crank out in 2007 and put in a 4.300 stroke to move the pistons up to zero deck to get 10.28 to 1 compression after swapping out the iron 906 heads to a set of CNC ported Eddy RPM, the crankshaft swap picked the car up .2 ET(10.69 to 10.49 ET) and 3 mph(124 to 127+) with no other changes I had swap the heads the winter before and that picked it up similary also.

Hey Eric, 512 and don't look back!

looks like 511/512 hands down. Didnt really think 12 or 13 ci would make that much different. Where do you think the difference is that makes it live longer or just a better engine than the 499? Im still trying to decide too.

I don`t know man, my 470 streeter is faster than a lot of bigger "racers" on here from what I`ve seen............

thumperdart,my 499/400 runs 5.80s-90s all motor,2950 lb car.with the 540/400 ran low 5.80s,all motor,race gas

YOU ROCK........... What heads? Street car? My junk was at 3200+ w/issues and should be 3000-3050 lbs. hopefully now w/crap stock port rpm heads and we`ll soon see how slow it is.............. Went 6.20 at 111.78 w/a 1.46 60 ft. last time out in the heat on street tires now on a 29.5x10.5 slick so HOPEFULLY faster..........your stuff flys man..........

What's the combo..

Curious myself...........

This has gone 5.95 with a 470 on E85

Gone 5.95 with a 455 on avgas.