How crucial are 4 bolt center mains??

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Sep 14, 2013 | 08:36 AM
  #1  
doing a 383 build, with 14psi boost procharger, will be trying to get 650-700hp.. will spray nitrous occasionally 100 shot.
to do 3 center 4 bolt main caps, I got quote for $650....

Instal 4 bolt main caps $150
Align bore 4 bolt main bearing saddles $175
Steel 4-bolt main caps $325

any other options I can do? Trying to stay on budget
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Sep 14, 2013 | 08:55 AM
  #2  
Re: How crucial are 4 bolt center mains??
just so you know.. looks like
210cc 63cc chambered trickflows cnc
224/236 114 lsa
9.5:1 Compression

So planning on more likely 6500rpm

And just to clarify, doing the 4 bolt center mains as Straight.. NOT Splayed.
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Sep 14, 2013 | 10:29 AM
  #3  
Re: How crucial are 4 bolt center mains??
Quote: How crucial are 4 bolt center mains??
If you're gonna be revving to 6500+ RPMs, the 4-bolts is relatively cheap insurance.

Think about it......$650 spent to better protect a $10,000 engine !

KW
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Sep 14, 2013 | 10:31 AM
  #4  
Re: How crucial are 4 bolt center mains??
They would probably have to do the align bore whether you change the caps or not.
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Sep 14, 2013 | 12:22 PM
  #5  
Re: How crucial are 4 bolt center mains??
Absolutely necessary for what you're trying to do.
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Sep 14, 2013 | 10:44 PM
  #6  
Re: How crucial are 4 bolt center mains??
Yes, you will want to use a set of good 4 bolt main caps with a stud kit. I like Oliver's billet center caps. Hardbloking the lower part of the block may not be a bad idea either if you're intending to spray on top of the blower.
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Sep 16, 2013 | 08:25 PM
  #7  
Re: How crucial are 4 bolt center mains??
I ran OE 2bolt mains from 2003 until last year on a 7k rpm 396 running a 200-250 shot....money well spent in my opinion...but absolutely crucial not really
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Sep 17, 2013 | 09:49 PM
  #8  
Re: How crucial are 4 bolt center mains??
Quote: I ran OE 2bolt mains from 2003 until last year on a 7k rpm 396 running a 200-250 shot....money well spent in my opinion...but absolutely crucial not really
Because one anecdotal story carries more weight than all the blocks with pulled main webbings, cracked main caps, and pinched main bearings that I and other engine builders have seen for decades at similar power levels with stock 2 bolt mains and even OEM 4 bolt mains?

With a good core and perfect tuning it could survive, especially if it's just a weekend racer...but I don't build motors that require a prayer and crossed fingers each time you want to take it out.

There's plenty of guys that get by with their stock block 5.0L Fords running boost and over 550HP daily....but then there's also masses of blocks broken in half at those very same power levels, just because one guy does it absolutely does not mean that it's ok to then preach to everyone else that they should be fine as well because that's simply false.
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Sep 18, 2013 | 04:48 AM
  #9  
Re: How crucial are 4 bolt center mains??
Quote: because one anecdotal story carries more weight than all the blocks with pulled main webbings, cracked main caps, and pinched main bearings that i and other engine builders have seen for decades at similar power levels with stock 2 bolt mains and even oem 4 bolt mains?

With a good core and perfect tuning it could survive, especially if it's just a weekend racer...but i don't build motors that require a prayer and crossed fingers each time you want to take it out.

There's plenty of guys that get by with their stock block 5.0l fords running boost and over 550hp daily....but then there's also masses of blocks broken in half at those very same power levels, just because one guy does it absolutely does not mean that it's ok to then preach to everyone else that they should be fine as well because that's simply false.
÷1

...
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Sep 18, 2013 | 07:09 AM
  #10  
Re: How crucial are 4 bolt center mains??
appreciated it guys as always, i'm leaning towards getting the center 4 bolt caps done for peace of mind and insurance.. thanks
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