I was initially planning to build up my 454 with peanut port heads and dish pistons. My plan had become AFR 265 heads, RPM Air Gap, Hyd Roller. Then I would need new pushrods, new rockers, and new lifters.
I then thought I should probably clean up the engine and over bore the cylinders, so now I would be getting new pistons. I probably would need these anyway to get some compression since I'm starting with dishes.
My next concern was my old stock crank. Would it hold up? Should i get a new Scat crank to be safe? If I do, should i just go stroker as I would just need the rods?
So basically I started down the path, one thing leads to another, then the price tag gets higher and higher.
Now I'm wondering if I should just go with a crate motor from ATK or Vortecpro or Wolfplace. I will be way over their price when I am done. I don't really understand how they can do it for so cheap. I've read other posts when people debate this same thing. You just can't match their price-to-performance ratio.
My question is, why would I want to use hand selected parts and build my own? Besides the "I made that" awesomeness that it would provide, is there any real benefit to using parts as above?
I then thought I should probably clean up the engine and over bore the cylinders, so now I would be getting new pistons. I probably would need these anyway to get some compression since I'm starting with dishes.
My next concern was my old stock crank. Would it hold up? Should i get a new Scat crank to be safe? If I do, should i just go stroker as I would just need the rods?
So basically I started down the path, one thing leads to another, then the price tag gets higher and higher.
Now I'm wondering if I should just go with a crate motor from ATK or Vortecpro or Wolfplace. I will be way over their price when I am done. I don't really understand how they can do it for so cheap. I've read other posts when people debate this same thing. You just can't match their price-to-performance ratio.
My question is, why would I want to use hand selected parts and build my own? Besides the "I made that" awesomeness that it would provide, is there any real benefit to using parts as above?
