331-354 block strength for power

[turbofreek]

im curious what the strength of these blocks really is? when i say strength im talking large frame turbo massive amounts of boost durability? i was hoping i could build a less expensive smaller cube hemi to turbocharge. im not really wanting to spend 15k+ for a 426 hemi thats majority of power is going to come from a turbo anyways. i figured these things where used back in the days for nitro dragsters and maybe they really could be durable with my pt106mm turbo to a point to get me very low 8.s high 7's in my dart. sounds like a pipe dream, but im not fantizising here im on a mission. even if i have to run someting else i dont want to.

allready know billet mains will be needed and probably a girdle, but just didnt know what there limitations are?

im looking at a 56 354 for what its worth to start a build. however thats only if its feasible

[George]

Nitro fuel engines had a habit of breaking the engine mount ears out of the block.

[turbofreek]

Nitro fuel engines had a habit of breaking the engine mount ears out of the block.

ill be running a motor plate so thats a non issue. im talking about main cap and webbing strength as well as cylinder distortion being an issue.

[turbofreek]

nobody with any knowledge on here about these things? ive seen the 301 windsors with the hemi head swap make 1200+. so i was hoping on at least that much out of a hemi block with the high butt nickel in its castings. i guess i need to search else wheres as hemi.com doesnt seem to know or care to share anything.

[mart]

nobody with any knowledge on here about
these things? ive seen the 301 windsors with the hemi head swap make 1200+. so i was hoping on at least that much out of a hemi block with the high
butt nickel in its castings. i guess i need to search else wheres
as hemi.com doesnt seem to know or care to share anything.

========================
I don't think it's that people on this list don't know, or especially,
that they don't care to answer. I think the problem lies with your
question itself. How much power can a 354 block hold? It's kind of
like asking "how big is big?" or "how high is up?" It's pretty hard
- if not impossible to give a definitive answer. You're correct -
that 301 Windsor blocks, fitted with hemi heads (and a bunch of
good aftertmarket and custom parts) have been built that can
produce in excess of 1200 hp. That is of course, is assuming a
bit of luck and a lot of looking and checking to find a good,
undamaged and an as close to perfect casting as possible to start
with, Likewise, assuming a good, undamaged and an 'as near
perfect as possible' casting to start with, that a *correctly* built
354 with the *right parts* should be good for at least that much and
probably more. But there are too many variables to say *exactly* how
much (or for how long!) Fuel dragsters have made in excess of 3000
hp using early hemi blocks - but they only have to run for a few
seconds at time and they get torn down and checked and overhauled
betwween runs. Also, what goes into these block as far components?
How much checking goes into ensuring the integrity, specs,
dimensions and condition of both the original block and of all the
aftermarket components? Everything - your basic casting - and all
the components used - and the machine work - and assembly - and
the tuning - needs to pretty much flawless to last any appreciable
time at those kinds of power levels. And what aftermarket
components? Billet steel 4-bolt main caps? Full girdle? Reworked
stock forged crank? Aftermarket chrome-moly billet crank? The
quality of the machine work? The quality of the assembly and
tuning? All of these things detrmine how much power you produce
and how long it will stay together. 1500 hp and probably a lot more
even - is very do-able from a turbocharged 354 - assuming everything
is about perfect and you use the right aftermarket parts, assembly
and machine work and depending on how long you plan to run it at
that kind of power level! Your best bet to start with, is to check
as many blocks as you can find and choose the best one to start
with. Inspect all the blocks you look at at visually, checking for
casting flaws or any obvious defects. Pay particular attention to
any excessive rust and corrosion in the water jackets that can
compromise the cylinder bore integrety too. Sonic check the bores
looking for blocks with the thickest possible cylinder walls and the
least core shift. (Can you use a filled block or partially filled block
for you aplication, or do you need to run full water jackets? If full
water jackets then then cylinder wall thickness and the condition is
especially important) Then magniflux both the bores and the main
web area for hidden cracks. Then once you have tested as many
blocks as possible and narrowed the selection down to a couple of
'near perfect' candidates, obviously you then use the best one.
Cheap or easy to do? No...but you want to make 1500-plus horsepower
and have it stay together, right? The same goes with atermarket
parts...billet main four-bolt main caps or a girdle, billet crank etc .
Get the best, strongest stuff you can afford. Double and triple check
everything. The same with the machine work and assembly. All of
these things will deterimine how much absolute hp your block will hold
and/or for how long. Speed (and hp with longevity) costs money....how
fast can you afford to go??? How high is up???

mart
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[turbofreek]

mart i appreciate the reply. you gave common sense answers with good sound advice.

i guess i was looking for somebody with experience with 4 digit power levels on the old hemi blocks. so i could decide if its even worth it to hassle with. or go ahead and spend the money on a kb block or other aftermarket hemi blocks. i just wanted to see if i could keep lower cubed hemi and still maintain high power.