Why? Why? Why?

[Wulff]

I didn't read the replies but I will say this, some of the hottest small block Chevrolet motors were 2-bolts, loot at the 375 horsepower 'fuelie" 327 Corvette with solid camshaft, not only was this beast a 2-bolt but it was also a SMALL JOURNAL crank motor!
Or the 2-bolt 302 Z28 motor with 8500 RPM capabilities!
I am running a 400 SBC with 2-bolt mains (stronger than 4-bolts on these motors) I am using ARP studs, at 450 horsepower under 6000 RPM there is no need for a 4-bolt block.
Ignore those that thing you HAVE to have 4-bolt mains, apparently the smart engineers building the 375 horse Vettes knew they didn't need 'em.

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

I read before 2 bolt main blocks usually are made of better cast iron that the 4 bolts. That extra main bolts can really be a sign of a weak block, not a strong one.

 

[CBARGE69]

There's an old hot rodder saying..."Horsepower sells engines but torque wins races". :wink:

 

[hurst1979olds]

Ford never had a 4 bolt main block and those 302 you can stroke, boost, nitrous, whatever to those engines and they hold up.(for awhile)....I hate the whole 2 bolt vs 4 bolt battle.

 

[CWPottenger]

Ford never had a 4 bolt main block and those 302 you can stroke, boost, nitrous, whatever to those engines and they hold up.(for awhile)....I hate the whole 2 bolt vs 4 bolt battle.

Incorrect. Ford Boss and CJ motors have 4 bolt mains

 

[DRIVEN]

1. Every Chevy 350 for sale makes 350hp and is a "Corvette" 350

:lol: Especially if it's an LT1.

 

[hurst1979olds]

Ford never had a 4 bolt main block and those 302 you can stroke, boost, nitrous, whatever to those engines and they hold up.(for awhile)....I hate the whole 2 bolt vs 4 bolt battle.

Incorrect. Ford Boss and CJ motors have 4 bolt mains

I ment it more as 351w and 302. I should've specified.

 

[GhettoRacingKid]

Fords mod motors are 6 bolt mains.

+1 to people thinking they know hp rating. I know power on certain combos but i willnt comment on something i dont know.

Btw

 

[Chris Van]

How many people have actually put their engines on a dyno?
That is really the only way to know how much hp an engine makes.
I personally build my own stuff in my garage and unfortunately, I don't have a dyno in mine.
I've got a neighbor that swears I'm lying to him when I tell him I can only guess that mine makes about 400-450 hp. He swears that mine makes in the 600 hp range. I just laugh at him when he says that.

 

[Fox80]

I have been around to watch many, many circle track and a few street motors pull on a dyno, and have been shocked almost every time by the numbers the produce, an all aluminum 450+ inch dirt late model might make 925 hp at 8,500 but will get out pulled by a v6 at 4,000 rpm, but our pro stock dirt 400+ motors would make 275hp at 1,800 rpm and pull a good band all the way to 735hp@8,000 rpm, it's all in the total combo, a million things come into it, I have always been amazed how it all comes together in the end