Power on a Budget

[gpse3400]

I think I can solve this being that I have done both.....The 3400 will be a faster engine. Forget about the lighter pistons and crap. Its all the same hardware. The 3400 will win because of the extra torque it produces in its low to mid power band. And then theres the extra HP that is building, though not much extra, with alittle work and right condidtions they might just be about equal... It's all torque, enough torque to make a car feel strong as opposed to peaky. I've built up both side by side, the 3400 has the advantage as the published numbers suggest. Make no mistake, they are both great motors. One reason to get a 3100 is because it sounds different. Almost like a VIN W 2.8. And that sounds fine to me.

[Syn]

alot of people are now destrokeing the 3100 and 3400 with the 2.8 crank hopeing to achieve 7000rpm's

[SappySE107]

Why? The stock stroke gets you 7000 RPMs just fine. Check out lorenzo's dyno sheet in the other thread. 3.4 DOHC is the same bore/stroke as a 3400 and it does 7000 no problem. Its after 7000 that you may want to build up the bottom end. I wouldn't do the 2.8 crank unless your goal is 9k+.

[Syn]

Why? The stock stroke gets you 7000 RPMs just fine. Check out lorenzo's dyno sheet in the other thread. 3.4 DOHC is the same bore/stroke as a 3400 and it does 7000 no problem. Its after 7000 that you may want to build up the bottom end. I wouldn't do the 2.8 crank unless your goal is 9k+.

whoops i forgot the + after 7k yah i think their hopeing for maybe 8-9 if the valve train is right.

the thing with the 3.4 yah it hits 7k no prob but its dohc no pushrods so its more stable at the higher rpms.

[eliteweapons]

Can't put the distributor in. The intakes are in the way.

[X11_STE]

Um, theres no replacement for displacement. 3400 wins.


Take a drag with a built streetable honda vs. a properly built Chevy V8. The honda get the hole shot 'cuz he's lite weight and can rev nice n hi. V8 gets into its power band a third of the way down the track and is now making more power and by the final third of the track, chevy passes the honda and wins due to more power via displacement.

I think you somehow got that backwards. The chevy V8 should have a significant low end torque advantage. Hondas are known for lacking any measurable form of power until they reach high rpms. The chevy motor is most likely in a RWD application. The honda motor is most likely in a FWD application. Driven correctly and with the two cars configured in a relatively similar manner (i.e. both on drag radials, slicks, etc.) I cannot think of a way for the Honda to come close to winning out of the hole if the cars are fairly configured. If the honda is going to win it will have to pass the V8 further down the track.

Have you ever seen a honda race a chevy? The V8 is massively heavier than the 4 banger. Plus being (usually) RWD, the V8 also has to overcome more torque loss (drive shaft vs. cv axles if nothing else). Hondas dont produce much torque but make up for it in their radical gearing. As a better example, take a race of a 454 vs. 350 vs. 327. The 350 will stomp the shit out of a 454 off the line whereas a 327 will bitchslap a 350 outa the hole. But once the respectve motors hit their power bands they will shut the smaller motors down. I stand on my point, theres no replacement for displacement (although boost is a good alternative).

[I-wear-pants]

I think you still have things backwards a 454 is gonna have WAY more low end torque than a 350 or 327. I don't understand why you think a the smaller displacement engines would be faster of the line.

[Juglenaut]

Plus you can stroke a 350 block into a 383 stroker with a modified crank.

HP per pound....

If a ricer can get more HP per pound and a good torque curve over a hot-rod HP per pound then my bets are on the ricer.

A 454 is a large block BBC and BBC's are stragically known for low HP at low rpms N/A. High torque with an average peak then roll off.

If you want to spend big money to make a big inch SB, most OEM servicable blocks are thrown out the window. Unless you can find a 400 block a big inch stock available SBC block is not a reality. Bow Tie is usually the best way to go.

With the right upgrades a production iron 350 can turn into a 470hp+ at 5400rpm/486ft-lb at 4600rpm monster NA

I am not sure what the stock TQ is for the 327, 350 or the 454 is.

[X11_STE]

You still have a hell of a lot more weight to over come.

[project60degree]

From a first hand accout displacement does not always win. My buddy and I in his 87' t-bird with a mildly modified 302 in it with a 5spd, walked away from a lightly modified LT-1 5spd no problem

[El_Diablo]

couple q's:

how many FPM do the stock 3100/3400's run? and with the 2.8 crank?

If a ricer can get more HP per pound and a good torque curve over a hot-rod HP per pound then my bets are on the ricer.

i stop considering it rice when the mods performed are actually benifical to speed

oh and boost is displacement when you think about it.... its just trying to increase displacement by forcing more air in by pressurizing it