I just got my hands on 6.0 bare block, it's getting shipped tomorrow. What should I do to get the best performance and driveability out of it? I could probably get some $4-5k to spend on it by March when income tax returns arrive. I'm having my first race of the year on April 5th out in Michigan (my friends have put together some kind of Chicago vs Michigan thing). This is what I have to work with: Stage III 5.3 heads
1.8 Crane Rockers
Hardened Push Rods

What else to get? Drivetrain upgrades?

 

You just have the bare block, no rotating assembly? If its a truly bare block, it will cost more than your $500 budget.

But if it is a short block with everything needed, thats different. Budget $100 for gaskets and bolts to move the heads and other stuff over to it. If your stage3 heads have a 60cc chamber then your compression ratio would be about 10.5:1 with stock 6L pistons and gasket. If you are looking to make it reliable, replace the rod bolts with ARP bolts and new rod bearings. You may need some machine work if the crank has any abnormal wear or the cyinders need to be honed.

 

Hey Big Tex, thats $4000-$5000 not $400-$500. I was thinking of getting a stroker set up, but I don't know enough about them that's why I'm asking for help. the lunatti crank goes for about 2k i think. if you have any ideas let me know, thanks.

 

lunati makes a kit, crank, rods and custom pistons.
cost around $3600 to $4000.
4.0 bore + 4.0 stroke = 402 cubes.

 

You might still need to get the 5.3 Stage III heads worked for the bigger bore.

 

if you are planning on boosting it or blowing it, get away from those heads. even with massive machine work, you still couldn't get your compression near 9.5:1. i found this out the hard way. i have 5.7 heads going on a 6.0 that will be getting the lunati kit, at least i thought so. according to a very reputable head machinist in rockwall, the combustion chamber can not be milled out enough. he is getting me new cores with isky springs/retainers valves plus a mild port/polish. your only other option is to go for a dished piston.

 

thanks for the replies guys, btw i want to go all motor-no nos or boost. i'm going to keep shopping around on parts and see what kind of set up i like/prefer.

 

Ok, I thought that $500 was pretty small budget.

You are going to have a hard time getting a stroker completed for $5000. A balanced rotating assembly will run you close to $4K than you will need the machine work to get the bottom end together. Add in misc parts to make the thing work corectly, like a double roller timing chain, ported oil pump, gaskets, seals, covers, bearings, cam, lifters, etc... Terminator was right about your heads, they would create too high a compression ratio, plus the 5.3 head would need some work to fit it properly to a 4.0+" bore. Your best choice it buy a set of stage 2+ 6L heads and sell your ported 5.3 heads. You will need to ditch your rockers too. The most popular cam for the strokers is a Comp grind on an XE-R lobe. That has really big lift.

For reference, ARE's iron block stroker spec sheets and prices:

ARE 409 short block
ARE 422 short block

 

It really depends on what the final compression ratio ends up. On your current 5.3 heads, what is the cc of the chambers? Have they been milled any? What size valves are you running? I'd still recommend having the chambers opened up to match the larger bore.

If your heads have the stock chamber size and have not been milled, and you install them on a 409 stroker with flat top pistons, your compression ratio would be about 12.4:1. Way too high for a heavy street truck. I'd try to stay under 11:1 if possible. That means using a 6 liter ported head. Large valves would be a benefit too.

 

Like i said, i want to go all motor. would i still need to ditch the 5.3 heads? i don't plan on spraying or boosting.