348 stroker, good heads?

[oldskoolkustoms]

:D Hi guys, New to the forum and im really glad i found it. I have a few questions maybe everyone might have some input on. And if this has been asked already im sorry. I want to build a 348 stroker, with either a 396 or 427 crank. I'm wondering what exactly i will need to do to perform this combo on the 348. What rods should be used with this combo? What are some of the drawbacks i might encounter. Anyone know about a price i might be looking at. Possibly a shop in minnesota that might have the ability to do the work. Also im trying to weigh out the options between getting 817 heads or 333 heads. What does everyone prefer of those 2? Ive heard that the 333 heads might be more preferable to the 817 in cfm flow, I believe both would be able to put the bigger valves, and hardened seats in them correct? Can anyone shine any light on this for me? Im looking for heads to by the way so if anyone has any they would like to sell let me know.

[Tom Kochtanek]

I am interested in this combination as well. As I understand it, one can stroke the 348 with a 409 crank also, and the "333" heads have been said to be capable of 350-400 horses.

Is this correct? I recall that CPG has stroked the 348, and perhaps others have as well.

Regarding price, in my experience the cost of the parts is substantially dwarfed by the cost of the rebuild. I started calculating the cost to stroke a 409 truck block, and boy the numbers add up quickly. You might now want to see them :)

Best
TomK

[Bungy]

Welcome to the board. Avoid the 333 heads if possible. These are the worst heads made for the w-engine. Standard 348 heads are better. The 817 heads are a much better choice. The 333 heads are basically 348 heads (small valves) with a small combustion chamber that lowers compression. The 817 heads have the medium sized valves and will outflow the 333s. You will want to use BBC conecting rods and CPG (another board visitor) has pistons for this swap. Check the links on the main page for his site (A Bruneau Performance). Where in Minnesota are you located? I know a very good machinist near me that can do the work.

[oldskoolkustoms]

Thanks for the reply guys,
Which set of bbc rods would work with the 396 crank? Should i just use 396 rods? Im in monticello, which is about 45 miles west of the cities. but i would be willing to drive to a machinist that is worth it. Bungy, i also have a 53 chevy 2 door. Which is what the 348 is going in. Its pretty radical too. 4 inch chop in front 6 inches in back. not finished yet but im workin on it.:D Where are you in minnesota?

[Southtowns27]

The type of rods you run should be rated for the horsepower you're planning on building. Leave room for upgrades down the road though. I'm planning on running H-Beams in my stroker. They're rated to 800 horsepower, upgradable to 1200. I won't be anywhere near this right away, but it leaves me lots of leeway down the road for a blower, nitrous, etc.

[348NUT]

Welcome from another MN member! I don't know of any shops here that specialize in 348-409s.

As long as we are on this subject. I'm thinking about a lower dollar stroker by using a 409 crank and rods with low horse heads(maybe my 350hp 348 heads) I have a set of cast .030 348 pistons(no valve reliefs) I'm wondering if this combo will work and how much of a cam I can use with those stock pistons? I realize the 409 rods are weaker than the Rat rods and the cast pistons aren't great either, but I'm not going to race it. I just figured the extra stroke would put a 348 into the 10 to 1 compression range and the extra cubes would make for a nice street engine. What are your thoughts? NUT

[dq409]

On the rod subject,,,,,,
Eagle makes a great set of BBC rods that go for under $500.
These are the rods that will be going into my engine.
Straight from the box with no machine work these will do the job just fine without having to worry about rod failure.
I looked into using used BBC rods and by the time you have them sized, bushed and buy ARP bolts you are close to the price of the Eagles AND you would still have a set of USED rods !!!
,,,dq

[threeimpalas]

FWIW, I'm going to use my 333 heads on my 396/427 crank stroker motor. They'll have some port work and larger valves of course. The unshrouded valves and spark plug aren't a problem for me as I'll be using a new set of pistons that compensate for the block being a truck block.

If the hi-po heads weren't so darn expensive, I'd just use those. The 817 heads would need work anyway, so why not just start with a cheap set of 333's that nobody cares about?

I'll also be using a set of SCAT/CAT/Eagle/etc BBC rods. Haven't decided on whether I'll be going H or I beam yet, however.