Would the stock crank be strong enough to use in a 355 build. I am wanting to use a forged H beam rod and a forged piston. the only reason I ask is I would also like to use a LARGE shot of nitrous

 

the stock crank is supposedly of better quality than any other CAST crank. Art

 

How large of a shot are we talking about?

The stock crank is actually quite a nice piece.
You'll find that a lot of the N20 and FI guys who run 355s do it with the stock crank.
Although when you look at the cost of rebuilding the motor with new rods, pistons and
likely at least a studded main, adding a forged crank really isn't so bad.
Especially if we're talking about a large (250?) or multi-stage (125+175?) type setup on top of an H/C car.

 

If your useing large shots of nitrous, why skimp on the crank? If your crank breaks say good bye to god knows what. However, like others have said many fi guys are running the stock crank with good results. Also like the guy above me said id suggest atleast studding the mains. I splayed mine and went with fully forged internals, nitrous pistons.

 

I would probley use like a 150-200 shot. I do also have a 4 bolt main block

 

If it's in good shape and the budget is tight, use it. I would rather have a stock crank than a cheapie forging - UNLESS I had the skill/ability/tools to check out the cheapie piece. Many of them are poorly inspected/finished.

Rich

 

people have done big things on a stock crank.

On the list of fastest LT1's there is a guy hitting it with a 300 shot. As mentioned, I dont know how much you read the in the FI section but guys have taken it to near 800 flywheel hp.

Would it do it? Nope, i would build it stronger but many havent. As long as your not turing past 6500 rpms i wouldnt sweat a 200 shot with proper timing, fuel, pistons and rods, etc. But after that you are walking on thin ice.

The 4 bolt is a plus. How much hp will you plan to be making?

 

Agreed.

 

Use the stock crank. You never hear of a stock crank breaking on lt1's unless it is the snout due to a blower pulley. I had a stocker in my combo and never had any problems over 6 years.