boost or stroked?

[rybatron]

I am currently looking into engine options for my '67 coupe and need opinions on but would be better for street/strip/track use. I was thinking either a 392 stroker or a 5.0L turbo. I want to keep the front end as light as possible because it's set up for the twisties and not straight line only performance. Any input would be awesome.

 

[ForceFed70]

Dunno what to suggest...

The 5.0L turbo would make more power, but will cost more and is harder to tune and more work to maintain.

The 392's only real benifit is that it's cheaper and "easier".

 

[washMO66]

I am partial to the NA stroker but I am also a very lazy tuner.......

Turbo would be fun but big $$ to do it right. Not that a stroker done right would be cheap.

 

[taylor4g63]

I don't understand why people say turbo is so much $$, if you can do all the welding and such yourself, ITS CHEAP. I have twin turbos on mine for well under $1,000 and that includes a big intercooler and everything else i bought (only thing left to buy is a wideband).

 

[washMO66]

I can't do the welding.......and such.

More power to you (or boost to you) if you have the ability to do the fabrication yourself and tackle the tune up.

Average Joe gearhead (me) just would think it would cost less if you are outsourcing.

Point taken Taylor

 

[Edbert]

Just another way of looking at the two options...

A 392 stroker will be a torque monster with a comparatively low redline.

The turboed mill will be a horsepower engine that will need the revs to get to the power.
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So you decide...do you want to smoke your tires from 1,500RPMs or 3,000?

 

[brianj5600]

The turboed mill will be a horsepower engine that will need the revs to get to the power.

Correct turbo sizing and from 3000 to 6000 a turbo 302 will flat embarrass a 393 N/A.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

I wouldnt be surprised if a 392 with aluminum heads had a comparable weight to a turbo 302. Turbos are not light and all the steel tubing adds up as well. Brian is right; properly sized turbos(either twins or a single) will spool early, flow up top, and make a fat torque curve. A pump gas stroker would probably be less work than a turbo smallblock, though.

If you have a roadcourse setup already and want to keep it, why are you worrying about making this much power? I doubt you have the suspension to handle a 550rwhp 302... I doubt anything more than a 331 would really be necessary.

 

[rbohm]

If you have a roadcourse setup already and want to keep it, why are you worrying about making this much power? I doubt you have the suspension to handle a 550rwhp 302... I doubt anything more than a 331 would really be necessary.

werd.

 

[Hack]

If you have a roadcourse setup already and want to keep it, why are you worrying about making this much power? I doubt you have the suspension to handle a 550rwhp 302... I doubt anything more than a 331 would really be necessary.

I agree with this as well. If you have a ton of money, sure go ahead and add more power. I think twin turbos would be a blast in a V8 powered car. Just remember that the clutch, radiator, transmission, driveshaft and rear end may all need to be upgraded as well. Of course a toploader can probably handle it, but the rest holds.

Also, everything I've heard says that you can get the most benefit in faster track times by taking driving classes. Spend your $2,000 to 5,000 on driving classes and keep a more reliable stock engine for now.
http://corner-carvers.com/forums/index.php
The corner-carvers forums are great for racing info. Use the search function, though. Don't just show up and ask a question that many others have asked in the past, or they will jump all over you. You have been warned!

 

[TT670]

Ive had both, boost beats stroker in the fun factor dept hands down every time. With that said if youre considering road racing I say neither like the above posters. Road racing isnt about power, its about handling and smooth driving.. Take a 450 hp car on the track and see how many poeple whoop on you with little mazda miatas.. Ive seen good drivers in a ford Taurus' embarass hot shots in vipers and vettes.

 

[latamud]

How about boosted and stroked? For the price of outsourcing a turbo, you could build a 393 stroker and piece together a supercharger kit on ebay. I have pieced together 3 complete supercharger kits from ebay for around $1000 each. Once you have brackets though the rest is easy.

 

[10secgoal]

Turbo. Completely docile, can run 87 octane if you want. No 4.11's without over drive. 3.27's, and a c-4 and call it a day. Very cheap. Have 1300 in mine right now with alot of good parts. I had that in my N20 kit.