Heads or stroker kit first

I have a fresh 30 over 466 with DOVE heads that I am building for drag racing. It will start out pretty mild due to funds. I'm trying to decide if I should buy a 545 stoker kit or P51 heads first. Down the road I will have both. Which upgrade will give me the best bang for the buck. Thanks

Do the stroker shortblock first. Be sure to use the correct pistons for the type of cylinder heads you will use. Later on, its easy to swap on the better heads....its all on top, and no need to pull the whole engine out of the vehicle!!

If it’s fresh as is, run it and build a separate engine as you get money.

dfree383 wrote:If it’s fresh as is, run it and build a separate engine as you get money.

That's how I do it.

rmcomprandy wrote:

dfree383 wrote:If it’s fresh as is, run it and build a separate engine as you get money.

YEP ... that way you will have a whole engine as a spare or to sell in the end; not just a bunch of extra stray parts.

that how I did I ran a 460 dove heads and ran it while I saved and bought the stuff to build my 552 I have now then I sold the 460

Gentlemen. Thanks for the advice. That's probably the most sensible way to start out

It doesn't matter. The two different motors need different pistons.

If it was me, I'd put the money away and do both at once, or build the short and let it sit until I got the heads.

Or put the heads in the closet until I built the short.

Mark O'Neal wrote:It doesn't matter. The two different motors need different pistons.

If it was me, I'd put the money away and do both at once, or build the short and let it sit until I got the heads.

Or put the heads in the closet until I built the short.

I remember this one time, I got drunk for a while and ended up with 3 fresh short blocks on engine stands. A 302, a 351, and a 390. By that time I was out of money for any top end parts. Automotive A.D.D. is a bitch...


For the record, they all ran great in the end.

cletus66 wrote:

Mark O'Neal wrote:It doesn't matter. The two different motors need different pistons.

If it was me, I'd put the money away and do both at once, or build the short and let it sit until I got the heads.

Or put the heads in the closet until I built the short.

I remember this one time, I got drunk for a while and ended up with 3 fresh short blocks on engine stands.  A 302, a 351, and a 390.  By that time I was out of money for any top end parts.  Automotive A.D.D. is a bitch...


For the record, they all ran great in the end.  

I know the feeling

To answer your original post question of which will give you the most bang for the buck. The horsepower is in the heads. Reliability is in the bottom end and valve train.

cletus66 wrote:

Mark O'Neal wrote:It doesn't matter. The two different motors need different pistons.

If it was me, I'd put the money away and do both at once, or build the short and let it sit until I got the heads.

Or put the heads in the closet until I built the short.

I remember this one time, I got drunk for a while and ended up with 3 fresh short blocks on engine stands.  A 302, a 351, and a 390.  By that time I was out of money for any top end parts.  Automotive A.D.D. is a bitch...


For the record, they all ran great in the end.  

yabutt


Beer...

dfree383 wrote:

cletus66 wrote:

Mark O'Neal wrote:It doesn't matter. The two different motors need different pistons.

If it was me, I'd put the money away and do both at once, or build the short and let it sit until I got the heads.

Or put the heads in the closet until I built the short.

I remember this one time, I got drunk for a while and ended up with 3 fresh short blocks on engine stands.  A 302, a 351, and a 390.  By that time I was out of money for any top end parts.  Automotive A.D.D. is a bitch...


For the record, they all ran great in the end.  

I know the feeling

I'm glad that I'm not alone...

Mark O'Neal wrote:

cletus66 wrote:

Mark O'Neal wrote:It doesn't matter. The two different motors need different pistons.

If it was me, I'd put the money away and do both at once, or build the short and let it sit until I got the heads.

Or put the heads in the closet until I built the short.

I remember this one time, I got drunk for a while and ended up with 3 fresh short blocks on engine stands.  A 302, a 351, and a 390.  By that time I was out of money for any top end parts.  Automotive A.D.D. is a bitch...


For the record, they all ran great in the end.  

yabutt


Beer...

Sometimes I wonder if I didn't drink, maybe I could be in the White House some day. No wait... We got 20 acres, and the White House is on 18...