393 or 408 more reliable?
 

ok, I got a 351w block today, its a 1974 Casting. My question is do I go with a 393 or 408 stroker. All parts equal quality, which is better and more reliable? Any downfalls to either? This is not a daily driver, but more of a Strip/street car with carb. Also it will be roller motor. Detailed input appreciated, as it's time to make some decisions and have never built a stroker before.

im in the prossess of building a 393 right now....

if i were you..id go 408...with some edlbrock victor jr heads ...i have seen a bunch of guys that are running low 11's high 10's with these heads box stock on there 408's....

as for a carberator i cant say...dont know much bout carb...but im going EFI and ill be using the TFS 351 R intake

as for a cam theres only one way to go and thats custom

My buddy Craig has a NASTY 408 in his GT. He drives it on the street every weekend. Here's his combo: 408ci, 12.5:1 JE pistons, Trick Flow R heads, Super Victor Jr Intake, 1050 Dominator, 1.7 roller rockers, comp cam .643 lift int/.639 exh, meziere electric water pump, 1 7/8 kooks headers, 3.5 exhaust with dynomax bullets, 400hp pro race fogger system, this car has run a best of 5.61 in the 1/8th on the jug and 6.30's in the 1/8th on motor. Like I said he drives this car every weekend. It's a beast.

I will go 408
 

I have a 393 and i am running 6.28@111 mph
in the 1/8 mile on gas all motor, but there are not
replacement for displacement

Eric, is that some trick or is that normal for more cubes? I'm refering to the intake lift being more than the exhaust lift for the cam. I was under the impression you want to let out more on the exhaust side than you are taking in the intake side. Thanks

He called the guys at Comp and they recommened that cam to him. It was a custom grind. For a big cube motor such as the 408 you want alot of intake lift. I know mine has alot more intake lift than on the exhaust side.

That is strange. I have never seen a cam favor the intake over the exhaust. Also you are spraying a huge shot of nitrous, why would you want less on the exhaust:confused:

The head flow on the exhaust side of these motors is usually about 80% of the intake flow so there is no longer any need to have more exhaust lift. Most small block Ford heads are considered to be weak on the exhaust side so to make up for it they add more lift/duration to the exhaust side.

That's what billy ordered..so i don't know :)

So the 460 that I have in the garage, I should look more into this kind of cam for a Naturaly aspirated app?

something 3 keep in mind with the more cubes inches u need moore airfow in and out, so you need to think in big block nubers
i went with a 393 cause of the added cost of truley gaining the added benifits of the additon cubes went outside my budget
header that worked on a 393 i didt think woulud work on my 408, (the mac 1" 3/4 long tubes $325, or the next step was kooks at 600 bucks) the mac ones i belived would work on a strong 393 but would be 2 small on a strong 408. that was just an example , many things also, head flow, intakes and carb prices are increased because of the addition pieces even on top of purchasing items for the 393 vs 408 cost comparative

Yeah, I just read an article in the MM&FF Dec 2002 about cams and air flow, very very descriptive and helpful, I understand more now, thanks

which AFR heads are best with a 408 and which intake(victor Jr, or Victor S) If not AFR, which other head would work well on the 408.

as i said before..some ppl are geting great results out of there 393/408's with the edlbrock victor jr heads...as for AFR you would want the 205's

its all about the power band and power u want, a matched combo. i use victor jr heads, but the 205 have very similar flow numbers, and use a victor jr intake port matched, tons of power and especially torque, gobs of it

Super victor jr intake for 408 if it's carb'd, and Edelbrock/Glidden Victor edition heads.

the main reason for the choise of the edlbrock heads is cost...the AFR 205's are $1700 plus they have to have alittle work done so there hyd. cam ready...where as the edlbrock heads are already hyd. cam ready with springs good to .600 lift and there only $1200..and yes..for the third time...they produce some very good results

Thanks guys. Some good info here. Decisions, decisions...

I like the 750 holley, on my 351W. Running vac sec set at 2400, also put the secondary kit on to rejet. Using 80 in the sec and 76 in the prim. I think I will go 78 on the prim this spring. Also a 50 pump helps. Plugs look very good.

Have a ??. What gas are you guys using with high comp and carb? I am at 10:5 or 11. This motor likes a lot of advance thus need some high octane?
Anyone use a mix of high octane-lead with Sunnoco Ultra? I am can buy cam 2 110 at a local station.
Thanks,

Sunonco is good..but I LOVE VP C16 Plus. Best thing ever invented.