Thinking About A 331 Kit...

[ratio411]

Those of you that have done a stroker...

What brand stroker kits would you stay away from, and which would you recommend?

Where is the best place, cost wise, to get a good 331 kit?
Does anyone make a 331 kit that is balanced for 50 ounces, or do they all require purchasing a new balancer/flexplate?
Other considerations?

I should note that I would consider only forged pistons in a kit.

Can the parts be bought separately for a better price or to make a better kit for less?

Thoughts?
Thanks!
Dave

 

[ratio411]

BTW: Looking for a STREET kit.
Not interested in a forged crank or expensive rods that will outlast the stock block!
Budget is king.

 

[hoopty5.0]

Why not do a 351-based build if you are going to make a project of it? Also, with times being hard, many people are off-loading their projects. Why not buy someone's abandoned project for cheap? Budget is king and that's the way to make it happen.

 

[ratio411]

A 351 platform is out of the question this time.
Normally I am all about that sort of thing, but not this time.
It's my son's engine I am building, and we are keeping it a 302 based engine.
I don't want to get into all the little things needed to swap to a 351.
I know they are little issues, but I want this to be quick and painless.
Thus another reason I am not looking at a 347. I don't want to hassle with clearance issues.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Coat High Performance.....Summit Racing....D.S.S. Racing All sell reputable versions of their own kit's and use quality parts.

Why are you only considering forged pistons? Do you plan on adding a large amount of spray, or boost to the mix? The Hypers that come in these kits are still pretty good and will take a moderate dosage of both. Not to mention hyper pistons are quieter and have better oil control than the forged.

 

[ratio411]

Maybe things have changed and technology gotten better, but I still think of hypers as a meltdown waiting to happen.
The reason for wanting forged is for the strength over and above cast.
This is one area where stronger is not overkill.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Maybe things have changed and technology gotten better, but I still think of hypers as a meltdown waiting to happen.
The reason for wanting forged is for the strength over and above cast.
This is one area where stronger is not overkill.

Most engines today use Hyper pistons. Every Mustang built after 1992 (save for the supercharged models) have used them with excellent results. The ONLY reason I would consider forged over hypers is in a power adder application where maximum strength is needed. Otherwise, the hypers are a better all around piston. Tighter tolerances, better oil control, better heat dispersion, lighter, more resistant to wear, cheaper to manufacture, etc, etc.

Remember, hyperutectic pistons aren't a traditional "cast" piston. They're made with a higher silicone content than traditional cast slugs and are both tougher and more durable.

 

[NIKwoaC]

Coast high performance has a good article on why 28oz is better than 50oz in a stroker:

http://www.coasthigh.com/articles.asp?ID=177

Also, I'm surprised Woody at Ford Strokers hasn't been mentioned yet. His DIY "Liberator" stroker kits are the most complete, comprehensive SBF stroker kits on the market that I'm aware of. His 331/347 kits include a fully machined block and ARP hardware for ~$2000, which is impossible to beat considering what all is included in the kit. You could cobble together an inferior rotating assembly and skimp on block machine work and have a stroker for less money, but not much less.

http://www.fordstrokers.com/diy-liberator-short-blocks/

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Also, I'm surprised Woody at Ford Strokers hasn't been mentioned yet. His DIY "Liberator" stroker kits are the most complete, comprehensive SBF stroker kits on the market that I'm aware of. His 331/347 kits include a fully machined block and ARP hardware for ~$2000, which is impossible to beat considering what all is included in the kit. You could cobble together an inferior rotating assembly and skimp on block machine work and have a stroker for less money, but not much less.

http://www.fordstrokers.com/diy-liberator-short-blocks/

Yeah, I was thinking about that....but it sounded like Dave was interested in just the rotating assembly and Ford Strokers no longer sells just the rotating assembly.

 

[MikeH686]

I agree with going on coast high performance thats where i got my 347 kit

 

[RangerJoe]

I got mine from Coast High. Its a Scat 9000 Series kit rated conservatively to 550Hp. It comes with the cast 9000 series crank, 4340 I beams with ARP bolts, and I upgraded to Probe SRS Pistons, moly rings and Clevite bearings. They were running a free balancing sale when I bought mine. I believe I paid around $1150 for it. I have been very pleased with it.

The Scat kit only comes in 28oz balance, I believe. Probe (owned by Coast High) sells their own stroker kits and I believe they offer it in either 50oz or 28oz. But like posted above, I believe the 28oz is better because they remove less material. If you don't need SFI rated stuff, you can pick up a flywheel and balancer for another $200.

I don't remember what the base price was on my kit, but I did pay a little extra for the upgraded pistons and clevite bearings. I believe they ship King bearings in their standard kits, which are not bad bearings. I believe the base pistons in their kits are forged, but I think they are the FPS pistons (Factory Replacement Series).

I have also heard very good things about Ford Strokers, and their prices look good as well.

Good luck with it!
Joe