what are the pro's and con's of a 4.0in stroke vs a 4.25in stroke vs a 4.50in stroke beside power

I'm not a pro or anything, so I'll just get the thread rolling.

I'm guessing you're talking about a 454-based engine.

PRO'S
The longer the stroke is, the more cubic inches you'll get. The more cubes you've got, power will come easier and tamer.

Longer stroke = more torque.

Longer stroke = same power at lower RPM

Pretty much all the pro's are power-wise. I know you said beside power, but I couldn't think of any.

CON'S

If you bought a 454 short block, and your crank/rods are usable/good, then buying a 4.25/4.5 is going to cost money that you wouldn't other wise need to spend on the rotating assembly.

Pistons for a 4.25/4.5 are going to be shorter, moreso when you use longer-than-stock connecting rods. This means you have less space to put the piston rings. I don't know if this is as much of a problem with big blocks as it is with small blocks.

The longer the rod you use, the more this problem will be problematic. And using really long rods is pretty common.

I'm guessing all the rotating assembly parts are a bit more expensive than the stuff for the stock crank. Maybe not much, but something.

Clearencing, you have to get the block clearenced to fit the bigger cranks. Of course, some people get lucky with a block that will swallow the 4.25 crank with no griding, but I doubt the 4.5 would go in as easily.

I think a 4.375" crank should fit with minimum grinding.

And use a custom rod that's about 6.45" long.. Along with needed custom pistons like from JE..

AND Speed-O-Motive sells 4.375" rotating assemblies for standard deck height blocks at not all that badda price, BUT be sure and spec. JUST what you want so there is no misunderstanding from what others have mentioned in passing.

Try this link.

http://www.speedomotive.com/BIG%20BLOCK%20CHEVY%20557-564-572%20CID%20STROKER%20KIT.htm

for their 557"/564"/572" kits.

pdq67