Roller Cam vs. Bored, Balanced & Blueprinted

[CUBaseball]

My wife has given me approval to finish my small block and I'm going to take advantage of it before she changes her mind! Right now I have all the performance parts I need to complete nice small block minus a short block. I will be putting this in my 1977 Cheyenne sw stepside. It will be a once or twice a week driver, around town and to cruise in's. I have narrowed it down to three different short block assemblies.

Option 1. http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...D&ProdID=42913 This is my brother's choice, he's been in the restoration buisness for a while, but often has different ideas for the direction of my truck. Plus I don't really want to fork out the money for a roller cam and lifters.

Option 2. http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...&ProdID=197318 This is what I really want, bored, balanced and blueprinted.

Option 3. http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...&ProdID=197317 This is my seccond choice, same as #2, but w/ less compression.

My only concern with option 2 is piston/valve clearance, which should be fine if I have done my math correctly. I like the extra compression and don't mind running 92oct. But my brother is fairly insistant on the roller cam block. What do you all think? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

btw: In 4 posts this has already been the most friendly, informatave and well put together forum I have ever joined. I will definatly be a blue member in the future. Thanks everyone.

[swb85]

What's the rest of the parts pile look like?....i.e. how radical are you wanting to go (heads/cam specs)? I'd pick #2 or #3 just because I'd rather have a 4 bolt block over a 2 bolt. You can always add a retro-fit roller cam to either of those.

[CUBaseball]

Upgraded vortec heads, full roller rockers, lunati 268/276, Lift .489/.504, double roller TC, performer RPM, headders, dual 40's and everything good in between. I spent a lot of time matching parts for a short block I had purchased locally from a private party, when I took it apart I forund that the crank counterweights were wearing on the inside of the mains, I don't want to mess with trying to get it machined.

[82c10]

Originally Posted by CUBaseball

Upgraded vortec heads, full roller rockers, lunati 268/276, Lift .489/.504, double roller TC, performer RPM, headders, dual 40's and everything good in between. I spent a lot of time matching parts for a short block I had purchased locally from a private party, when I took it apart I forund that the crank counterweights were wearing on the inside of the mains, I don't want to mess with trying to get it machined.

that's a voodoo cam, ask me how i know, did it take 3 months to get to you?

[CUBaseball]

It's the Voodoo, it only took 4 days from summit. I guess I caught them on a good day. My 1.5-1 self aligning roller rockers, now thats a different story, going on about a month.

[1 Low 70]

As far as the roller cam is concerned, I am definately a fan. The motor will rev a lot faster as well as make more power. If you are willing to spend the extra cash it is definately worth it. On the other hand, if your just going to be cruising the truck, its hard to justify spending that extra cash. As far as the 2 bolt or 4 bolt main is concerned, I have seen 2 bolt blocks take a lot of abuse, much more than I imagine you will dishing out. My truck does have a 4 bolt block, mostly because I happened to have an extra block to use when i built the motor, but I don't feel that it is at all necessary for what your doing.

Just my 2 cents.

Andy

[Mike 85]

If it was "me". I'd come up with the most pump gas friendly hot rod I could afford. You can "sell" yourself on all the B.S. engines you like but when you want to GO you want to GO with a weekend warrior.Besides the,
"What ya got under the hood?" syndrome.
A driver is another story but for a fun ride,POWER is NOT an option.
Also depends on how much you want to "work" on it.
Rods require dealing with and are tempermental. You willing to deal???
BTW, #1 has NO mech fuel pump provision. As do most late model FI blocks.
2 bolts are no slackers,Trust me,I have rodded the sh*t out of them and they just LOVE the abuse. 4 Bolts are great but don't sell a 2 bolt short.
Oh, and 1 other thing,
I'd '86 the 355 idea and go stroker,383 or up. MORE bang for the buck without all the hassle.

[84 400]

well i would do # 2 over #3. For the extra 100 it is worth it if you won't have clearance issues. I am guessing you already shopped around and found these to be the best for your needs. There is nothing wrong with a 2 bolt. They can handle alot!! As for the use i would build it as big as you came keeping within your budget and reliablity constraints. I mean if it is for fun why not?? And it is fun to have the extra power on cruise night!

[84slopwaggin]

You can get a complete 383 Blueprint crate engine for $3100+shipping from JEGS. When it's all said and done you'll probably be out of that much mixing and matching parts. There is a 2yr/24k mile warranty. You won't have that doing it the way your going(which is fine).

[hiway]

That cam won't cause any clearence issues. I'm not sure how #2 has that kinda dome and only mid 10's compression. Flat tops and 64cc head usually get you low tens which is all you can stand with iron heads and pump premium. Price seems fair enough...