Adding more muscle and power to your small-block engine doesn't require big dollars, regardless of brand. However, you'll need an experienced speed shop that can put the correct parts together and a machine shop that can fine-tune those parts. And there's not a more experienced speed shop than Speed O' Motive that is located in West Covina, California.
Systemax aluminum heads for...
Systemax aluminum heads for small-block Ford engines (PN 300-575), by a division of Holley, are a great way to save weight and increase your engine's performance. Very little hand-grinding is necessary to achieve maximum-flow results.
The Weiand Stealth (PN 8023)...
The Weiand Stealth (PN 8023) high-rise/dual-plane manifold has a square flange carburetor mount and no EGR provision for pre-smog street and race engines. These manifolds produce excellent mid-range torque and good low-rpm throttle response.
Holley makes a wide variety...
Holley makes a wide variety of AFB carburetors. This unit is an 830-cfm NASCAR/WINSTON unit (PN 4150 HP). We plan to attempt to attain 500 hp on the engine with Speed O' Motive leading us through their typical hardware and CNC-machine program.
Every performance-engine rebuild...
Every performance-engine rebuild should be performed with an ARP bolt kit.
Speed O' Motive works in conjunction with Rottler Manufacturing to develop new applications for their CNC F 65 machining center. While not everyone wants or can afford a blueprinted engine block, it's the most secure way to achieve a high-performance engine. And a stroked engine block is an affordable way to build on torque and horsepower.
A custom specification sheet is prepared for every customer's engine order at the time it's placed and for its specific application. A marine-block is machined to a different set of specifications than a street or race application. And, only through the use of CNC equipment is Speed O' Motive able to prepare each engine block to exact tolerances in an economical manner.
A wide variety of performance...
A wide variety of performance engine kits are available on Speed O' Motive's Web site. We selected the 418W All Forged kit with this RPM 4340 Forged crankshaft with a 4.100-inch stroke. All the oil holes were chamfered (rounded) for improved oil flow.
Speed O' Motive balanced the...
Speed O' Motive balanced the crank with an external balancer and flywheel. A small amount of material was removed from this crankshaft lobe.
On the most forward lobe,...
On the most forward lobe, a bit of weight was added in order to balance the throw to within 1/2 a gram-about the weight of a dollar bill. The balanced rotating assembly includes the lengthened rod, wrist pin, and piston for each cylinder.
Typical stroker-engine assembly demands the crank kit be mocked up in the block. In some cases, a hand-held grinder complements the CNC machine work in order to provide additional clearances between the block and rotating assembly (connecting rod and rod cap).
And in case you weren't aware, the CNC mills at Speed O' Motive are programmed to grind off the crankshaft centerline. By doing this, the desired clearances can be achieved by removing the least amount of material possible-ensuring engine block integrity. This provides close-tolerance machining that can be measured straight off the crankshaft centerline-correcting for any possible block-core shift.
For those of you who haven't considered a stroked engine, it's not as difficult or expensive as one might imagine. The confidence a balanced and blueprinted engine provides is significantly greater than a stock engine. The performance a stroked engine provides is inspiring. So stay tuned for our next installment. It will detail the cam specifications and assembly of this 418ci Ford engine.
Our 351W block was prepared...
Our 351W block was prepared at Carco Engine & Machine where it was bored 0.030-over and honed. The head surfaces were also "decked" for a perfectly flat block to reduce and loss of compression between the head and block. The term used to describe the machine operations to the engine block for a stroked engine is called "clearancing-the-block." Several machine operations are necessary to clear the longer stroke of the crank and the longer connecting rod. The area being removed in this photo is where the internal oil pump is mounted.
JE Pistons is a leader in high-performance forged pistons with over 50 years of experience. The company's reputation for manufacturing the highest-quality pistons and components provides professional engine builders, race teams, and high-performance enthusiasts a trust they can rely on. Many top engine builders in NASCAR, NHRA, IRL, IHRA, IDRA, and PROSTAR choose JE Pistons over other brands. JE's continuous research and development of unique materials and technologies positions the company at the forefront of performance piston manufacturing and design. Utilizing state-of-the-art CNC machines for manufacturing, along with purpose-designed forgings, JE is able to maintain close-tolerance specifications on each and every piston and hold these tolerances to millionths of an inch. Also available from JE is industry-leading processes like Ultra Crown, a Digital Three-Dimensional piston crown machining process, and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). FEA is a computer process whereby stress and fatigue are tested on a computer model before production of the item begins. JE is the only exclusive performance piston manufacturer to earn the QS-9000 quality standard, which confirms that JE provides customers the highest standards in quality control. In addition, they also have state-of-the-art inspection
equipment and testing equipment, which enables them to constantly bring to the market the very latest in piston-design configurations.
The base of the cylinder was...
The base of the cylinder was notched for clearance of the connecting rod cap.
Another small notch was made...
Another small notch was made on the bottom of the block; note the arrow pointing to the oil pan surface.
The set of JE Pistons are...
The set of JE Pistons are probe-forged dish-top pistons with a zero-deck compression ratio: 55cc=10.98:1, 60cc=10.43:1, 64cc=10.03:1, 69cc=9.58:1.
Notice the shorter-than-stock...
Notice the shorter-than-stock piston skirt of the forged JE piston.
The I-beam connecting rods...
The I-beam connecting rods are 6.200 inch in length-about 1/4-inch longer than stock. The caps use 7/16-inch ARP bolts.