Strokers Wild: Part 1

Stroker Fords are quite popular these days. To stay current with this hot trend, take a look into the build-up of three very different -- and very wicked -- test and development motors.

Based on the 5.0L V8, the 347 c.i.d. is probably the most popular stroker Ford out there. This version will be a 10 to 1 compression engine based on a stock 5.0L block, plus a new Summit cast stroker crankshaft and H-beam style connecting rods. The engine will also have a set of mildly ported Trick Flow Specialties® Twisted Wedge® Street cylinder heads, Track Heat® forged pistons and roller camshaft, and the new R-Series® EFI intake manifold.

The 393 c.i.d. brings more cubic inches -- and lots more torque -- to the table. Based on a 351 Windsor, the 10 to 1 compression engine will feature a Summit stroker crankshaft and connecting rods; Trick Flow will pony up a set of R-series cylinder heads and Track Heat forged pistons. Sitting on top will be an Edelbrock Victor Jr. intake with a 750 cfm Holley double pumper carb.

But when it comes to serious bracket racing, nothing makes power like a stroker 460 big block. The 520 c.i.d. will be a 12.5 to 1 compression engine filled with goodies like a Summit forged stroker crank, Arias pistons, steel rods, and a hairy roller cam. Trick Flow A460 aluminum heads and single plane intake with a 1,150 cfm Holley Dominator will complete the package.

To put the feather in the cap of these killer Fords, there will be a final, blow-the-walls-out DynoFest to show how much axle-twisting power these engines can produce.

Test conducted on Quadrant Scientific Flowlab 1400 flowbench at 28 in. of water (pressure)

Intake Flow with #1205 Brzezinski inlet
.100 in. lift: 69 cfm
.200 in. lift: 143 cfm
.300 in. lift: 216 cfm
.400 in. lift: 255 cfm
.450 in. lift: 267 cfm
.500 in. lift: 274 cfm
.550 in. lift: 283 cfm

Exhaust Flow with 1 3/4 in. x 4 in. stack
.100 in. lift: 57 cfm
.200 in. lift: 120 cfm
.300 in. lift: 152 cfm
.400 in. lift: 179 cfm
.450 in. lift; 189 cfm
.500 in. lift: 198 cfm
.550 in. lift: 205 cfm

Need a solid roller lifter to check piston-to-valve clearance on your hydraulic roller cammed Ford 5.0L or 351 Windsor? Make your own out of an old stock lifter. The lifter at left (below) is a disassembled stocker. To turn it into a checking lifter, grind approximately .020 in. off the main plunger and flip it 180 degrees, then remove and discard the spring (center). Reassemble the components (right) and mark the assembly with a yellow band so it won't get accidentally mixed in with your other lifters.

Block:
Summit Racing, 5.0L
(SES-5-60-04-200)
Crankshaft:
Summit Racing cast, 3.400 stroke
(SES-5-52-05-001)
Connecting Rods:
Summit Racing 4340 H-beam, 5.400 in. long
(SES-5-44-05-201)
Pistons:
Trick Flow/Arias 10:1 forged (TFS-51404111)
Piston Rings:
Speed Pro
(SLP-R9771035)
Main Bearings:
Federal-Mogul
(FEM-4125M)
Connecting Rod Bearings:
Federal-Mogul (FEM-2600CP)
Camshaft Bearings:
Federal-Mogul (FEM-1204M)
Camshaft:
Trick Flow
Track Heat (TFS-51402001)
Lifters:
Crane hydraulic roller
(CRN-36530-16)
Timing Set:
Cloyes roller
(CLO-9-3135)
Oil Pump:
Melling high volume
(MEL-M68HV)
Oil Pump Driveshaft:
Ford Motorsport (FMS-M6605B302)
Oil Pump Pickup:
Moroso
(MOR-24517)
Oil Pan:
Moroso 7 quart
(MOR-20509)
Cylinder Heads:
Trick Flow Twisted Wedge aluminum
(TFS-51400002)
Rocker Arms:
Trick Flow 1.6 ratio roller (TFS-51400510)
Valve Springs:
Trick Flow Track Heat 1.46 in. dual (TFS-31400414)
Pushrods:
Trick Flow chromemoly
(TFS-21406750)
Harmonic Damper:
ATI
(ATI-918910)
Valve Covers:
Ford Motorsport
(FMS-M-6582-D302)
Flexplate:
B&M
(BMM-50237)
Engine Gasket Set:
Trick Flow (TFS-51400912)
Main Cap Bolts:
ARP
(ARP-154-5001)
Cylinder Head Studs:
ARP
(ARP-154-4001)
Camshaft Bolt:
ARP
(ARP-155-1001)
Harmonic Damper Bolt:
ARP (ARP-150-2501)
Flexplate Bolts:
ARP
(ARP-100-2901)
Expansion Plug Kit:
HPX
(HPX-710-585)