Circle track 388 vs. 406 vs. 6.0L

General engine tech -- Drag Racing to Circle Track

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MaxFlow
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Re: Circle track 388 vs. 406 vs. 6.0L

Post by MaxFlow »

As an example: they have a race over this way called the Hillbilly 50. Unlimited steel block rules, basically open tire rule, with late model dirt cars..ie Rocket/Mastersbuilt/etc etc. You can run basically anything with a cast iron small block. SB2's, 13 degree, 18 degree, etc etc etc. The top 10 in the race were #1 unlimited 13 degree Mullins with the best car and driver in the field, crate, crate, crate, crate, unlimited with driver with many many big wins, unlimited with driver with many many big wins, crate crate crate.

That says a heck of a bunch about what wins dirt races.
Joe Stalnaker
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Re: Circle track 388 vs. 406 vs. 6.0L

Post by jtb032295 »

MaxFlow wrote:As an example: they have a race over this way called the Hillbilly 50. Unlimited steel block rules, basically open tire rule, with late model dirt cars..ie Rocket/Mastersbuilt/etc etc. You can run basically anything with a cast iron small block. SB2's, 13 degree, 18 degree, etc etc etc. The top 10 in the race were #1 unlimited 13 degree Mullins with the best car and driver in the field, crate, crate, crate, crate, unlimited with driver with many many big wins, unlimited with driver with many many big wins, crate crate crate.

That says a heck of a bunch about what wins dirt races.
If we would go to the some of the biggest events out there, I would expect the best in the industry to be there and winning.. But that's not what we're doing.. Local tracks are what we're after for a starting point in our modified career.. Sure one day, we might go buy a "brand name" SB2 or 13 degree engine. For now, we just want to get started with something that will be able to run at our weekly tracks on a regular basis and keep up up with the field. For example, one car has the capability to win every week with a properly built 347sbf. He maintains corner speed very well...
RCJ
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Re: Circle track 388 vs. 406 vs. 6.0L

Post by RCJ »

Your small tire is why I recommend a 3.5 stroke and even with a 3.5 stroke you can make enough power that the block is the weak point.With a 3.5 lightweight crank shaft , aluminum heads, stock block your motor will weigh around 420lbs ,with iron heads and a dart block it will be around 500lbs.
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Re: Circle track 388 vs. 406 vs. 6.0L

Post by Krooser »

Not that it matters but I really like the LS motors but most oval track guys say they don't hold up over the season....maybe that's because they've never run one...dunno.
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jtb032295
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Re: Circle track 388 vs. 406 vs. 6.0L

Post by jtb032295 »

Ok so I'm attempting to convince the team into purchasing a Dart SHP block... Even though he says it's not in the budget... It seems like a better idea and will give us a solid foundation to improve upon. Is the Dart block worth the extra money over the stock block+machine work? Possibly pick up a used one even?
KnightEngines
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Re: Circle track 388 vs. 406 vs. 6.0L

Post by KnightEngines »

It'll be cheaper in the long run.

After a season of use the bores in the stock block will be all over the place, you may be able to get them round/straight again, but you'll increase piston/bore clearance more than you'd like, the mains will also likely move around, along with deck faces - may have to line hone & skim the decks. You *may* get 2 seasons out of a block before it needs a rebore & new set of pistons - at which time the SHP block just paid for itself in having thicker bores that will cop the punishment & stay the right shape.

The poor man pays twice.
racinnut15xm
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Re: Circle track 388 vs. 406 vs. 6.0L

Post by racinnut15xm »

Just use the stock block and get him the roller cam and a better set of heads. A true 580-600 out of the track 1's mentioned or look at a set of the profilers from spier or weingartner. They may be a little cheaper than the track 1's and if no weight break or larger spoiler for spec heads then you aren't limited to the track 1's. Track 1's are just more easily found because so many classes run them as spec heads not sure if budget is used/new castings.

Note: I went and read his rules and his class gives the 604 crate a 100lb weight break. Go buy a crate and be done with it. They will dominate come feature time when it starts to slick off.
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Re: Circle track 388 vs. 406 vs. 6.0L

Post by jtb032295 »

KnightEngines wrote:It'll be cheaper in the long run.

After a season of use the bores in the stock block will be all over the place, you may be able to get them round/straight again, but you'll increase piston/bore clearance more than you'd like, the mains will also likely move around, along with deck faces - may have to line hone & skim the decks. You *may* get 2 seasons out of a block before it needs a rebore & new set of pistons - at which time the SHP block just paid for itself in having thicker bores that will cop the punishment & stay the right shape.

The poor man pays twice.

Anybody know of a good place to look for a used aftermarket block? I imagine even a used Dart block would be better than a stocker...
racear2865
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Re: Circle track 388 vs. 406 vs. 6.0L

Post by racear2865 »

racinnut15xm wrote:Just use the stock block and get him the roller cam and a better set of heads. A true 580-600 out of the track 1's mentioned or look at a set of the profilers from spier or weingartner. They may be a little cheaper than the track 1's and if no weight break or larger spoiler for spec heads then you aren't limited to the track 1's. Track 1's are just more easily found because so many classes run them as spec heads not sure if budget is used/new castings.

Note: I went and read his rules and his class gives the 604 crate a 100lb weight break. Go buy a crate and be done with it. They will dominate come feature time when it starts to slick off.
Yep but there is not a track that the crates are not 'doctored". You can double the cost of a 604 very quickly and when you do, it goes away quite quickly
reed
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