305 stroker

[big dan]

Through some trading Ive done recently Ive ended up with a couple 305s that nobody wants. I know that the 305 is not a major power builder and that many people dont have use for them so I dont really know what to do with them.

The other day I was looking through one of our engine building books at work and found some pistons for a 305 stroker using a 400 crank and rod set. I know that a longer stroke builds more low end torque and that a "square" motor has a relatively flat torque curve. Using a 400 crank and a 305 with a .030 overbore the motor is almost perfectly square. It ends up being like a 340 cid with a 3.75 stroke and a 3.77 bore.

I figure if I were to add my vortec heads, headers, edelbrock intake, carb and msd ignition with a small cam it could be a pretty healthy motor with lots of low end torque and a long life.

Id like to get some opinions on the viability of this engine combo. Is it worth a shot? Id kinda like to build it and put it in a vehicle just to see how it would work out but dont wanna end up with a $5k hunk of crap.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Why not put the 400 crank in a 350 block and get 43 more cubic inches right off the bat? If you're going to throw a bunch of money at it a 305 is not the way to go.

350 blocks aren't worth much and are easy to come by. 383's aren't inherently top heavy on the powerband.

 

[big dan]

Thats kinda the response I expected. I know that I can do more with a 350 block and a 383 would be much cooler. just lookin to see what people think about it.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

just lookin to see what people think about it.

Explain to me why it makes sense? Its closer to a "square" bore/stroke setup, sure (not that that's the ideal). Other than that, your not using basically cost free displacement. I don't think there is much difference in mileage between the two (my 383 got better mileage than my 350).

If you're already set on a 340 stroker then why even ask any of us?

 

[big dan]

Im not set on building it. I just thought it was an intersting idea and was curious what other people thought about it.

 

[jonrpick]

I'd do it. I'm a fan of unconventional. Every time something like this is suggested, the response usually involves "but you can get more cubes with..."

Hell, a 454 will have more cubes than a lot of combos, but it's nothing special or unique.

I like the idea of a 400 crank in a 283. Ends up being 354ci with the stock bore. Why not use a regular 350??? Because this combo would probably be better on the low end torque, and in a lot of cases that's better than top-end speed.

Adding displacement may be the easy or cheap way out, but it's not always the best. It's certainly not the coolest.

 

[nad]

If you've got the stuff laying around to do it, I'd say do it. Why waste time and money running around buying all different stuff to start a 383 stroker when you could just use what you have. Hell if nothing else, sell them when you're done.

 

[badmix]

If you can do it cheaper than building a 350 I say go for it. I like unconventional as well. But Id do the research and Ill bet you can do the 383 as cheap. There is a reason ppl dont want 305s, they just dont make the power. Jus saying.............