Thread: SB2 info needed

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Hi guys,
I don't post often but I am on every day and now I need some advice, Pat and Eric your help would be especially appreciated.
My son and I currently run a S/G mustang with a 377 SBC, injected alchohol. The 377 has Mahle pistons, Brodix heads, eagle H-beam 6" rods,s Lunati roller .645, GM steel crank...We tried to use good stuff but alas, we lost a lifter and screwed up one piston and one head. So now it's time to think about a new engine. I having been thinking for a while now, that with all of the good used SB2 parts on the market, it might be time to try one out. There are several companies in NC and Ill. that sell used complete sb2 heads for anywhere from $1000-1500 with rockers, and I see pistons going for $2-300.
so a couple of questions,
1. What do you think of the SB2 as a drag race engine?
2. Could we fill our current 400 block, bore to 4.170 (currently 4.155) use a
4" crank for 434cid, our 6" rods, water in the heads only, since we run injected alky?
3. Are the SB2 cam and lifters different than regular SBC?
Any suggestions?
John

I guess I shoud have done a little more research before I posted. I just read a half dozen good articles on the web about the use of SB2 and SB2.2 heads for drag racing. It seems that there are a whole bunch of issues involved in making them work on a stock block, not the least of which are lifter bore angles and rocker geometry. Also there is a recommendation not to use the sb2 heads, because the valve and spark plug placement of the old
SB2 heads are different than than the newer sb2.2 heads.
The flow characteristics of the generation 2 heads are very much designed with the constant high rpm of a nascar engine in mind. It seems that for throttle stop type racing, the velocity ratings are a big handicap. They do Flow big numbers but the rpm has to be high and constant to make use of it and keep the velocity/flow ration in proper correlation.
Most of the articles tend to caution the user to understand that the hidden cost of trying to make them work can out way the benefits.

Well, more research needed before we get out the check book.

41 willys, i would give curtis a call at rfd. he's been the secret for some of top running heads up guys for yrs. http://www.raceflowdevelopment.com/ i have been in this biz for 20 yrs and you will not be sorry with his work or products. there's no off the shelf crap there everything is cnc to order.. good luck

Originally Posted by 41willys

Hi guys,
I don't post often but I am on every day and now I need some advice, Pat and Eric your help would be especially appreciated.
My son and I currently run a S/G mustang with a 377 SBC, injected alchohol. The 377 has Mahle pistons, Brodix heads, eagle H-beam 6" rods,s Lunati roller .645, GM steel crank...We tried to use good stuff but alas, we lost a lifter and screwed up one piston and one head. So now it's time to think about a new engine. I having been thinking for a while now, that with all of the good used SB2 parts on the market, it might be time to try one out. There are several companies in NC and Ill. that sell used complete sb2 heads for anywhere from $1000-1500 with rockers, and I see pistons going for $2-300.
so a couple of questions,
1. What do you think of the SB2 as a drag race engine?
2. Could we fill our current 400 block, bore to 4.170 (currently 4.155) use a
4" crank for 434cid, our 6" rods, water in the heads only, since we run injected alky?
3. Are the SB2 cam and lifters different than regular SBC?
Any suggestions?
John

I.M.O.,I would not try and over -bore the block any more.
Keep in mind you block is your "foundation".
I would start looking into the Dart blocks.
I am not sure what hp levels you are looking for but above the 750 area I would look at the 18 degree heads or the 15 degree heads.
You would have to go to different pistons, intake ,when you run the 18 or 15 degree heads,you would also have to go to a shaft mounted rocker arm,T&d,Jessel,etc.
I do love to run injected alcohol engines with over 15.5 to 1 for a comp. ratio.

Sounds like the SB2 heads are a bit above our technical and financial capabilities at ths current time.

500Caddy- DJV8JA- thanks for the web info. Both made me realize that anything dealing with CUP engines is way out of our league.

Eric,
I am sure you are correct about the overbore of our current 400 block.
I have been looking at the Dart blocks but I gotta say at 3k for a bare block????
I really don't know what we'll do yet, It might be the better part of valor, or at least common sense, to rebuild what we have already. After all we are only going to continue running the super classes and brackets. It is not like we want to step up to anything real fast. Consistiency is our bread and butter, so to do something really far out is not worth it except as an ego trip and the "OOOH" factor.
Thanks a bunch for the reality check.
John

Originally Posted by 41willys

Sounds like the SB2 heads are a bit above our technical and financial capabilities at ths current time.

500Caddy- DJV8JA- thanks for the web info. Both made me realize that anything dealing with CUP engines is way out of our league.

Eric,
I am sure you are correct about the overbore of our current 400 block.
I have been looking at the Dart blocks but I gotta say at 3k for a bare block????
I really don't know what we'll do yet, It might be the better part of valor, or at least common sense, to rebuild what we have already. After all we are only going to continue running the super classes and brackets. It is not like we want to step up to anything real fast. Consistiency is our bread and butter, so to do something really far out is not worth it except as an ego trip and the "OOOH" factor.
Thanks a bunch for the reality check.
John

The Dart blocks are not $3,000.
I have been charging my customers a little more than $2,200 and this is fully machined with cam bearings and freeze plugs installed.
If you want even better consistiency and hp build a big block and turn it less rpm's and run a moderate mech. roller cam in it.

They are pretty! I want one!