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Chris's 2003 6.4 Hemi Stroker Build

156K views 1.8K replies 28 participants last post by  HemiLonestar  
#1 ·
Well I had a thread about doing a cam swap, now that is over, time to re-start all over again and do it right! I do it nice, cause I do it twice! :rofl:

I had really wanted to do a stroker kit the first time around, but time and financial constraints weren't allowing me to. But after I found out the fresh rebuild was burning major amounts of oil in cylinder 1, I decided to just go for it. To start the process, I chose to get a used 5.7 block and build the stroker first. When its all completed with the necessary machining and installation, I'll pull my old engine out and swap over the heads and accessories. I've already added a Comp 260, new valve train, torque converter, oil pump and timing set the first time around, so I have a good base to start with. So after a bit of searching, I found a blown engine at a local junkyard for $400. They didn't have any info on why it was blown or the mileage, but I figured I would be only using the bare block and it would be over-bored to begin with so it couldn't be too bad. Any other usable parts would be experimented with or sold to help recoup the cost. After pulling the heads I found the reason it was blown, cylinder 6 had no piston head left, it was completely blown out with just the rod and wrist pin left. So I will have to have one piston re-sleeved, I don't think that is a big deal in the end. Other then that, all the other cylinders are at standard bore size and should clean up well. At this point I have the engine stripped to the bare block, tomorrow I'll start with the wire brush to remove all the old paint and rust. Then it will be sent to my local performance shop to bore it out and get it re-sleeved.
I plan on using the SCAT Modern Muscle Stroker Kit from Summit Racing. It's in my price range and comes balanced. So feel free to pitch in any suggestions or tips!
 

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#1,222 ·
With Challenger sales still being as good as they are, and more of the "old school Mopar" guys finding the G3 platform more achievable. it's only going to get better,
 
#1,224 ·
I am using the melling 362 which I think is the higher volume 6.1 replacement pump as far as I know
 
#1,228 ·
What seems to be the best for the heavy trucks? Radial or slick? I know Keith uses the Hoosier slicks but I also see alot of guys using the Mickey Thompson Street ET radials. Any input? I'm figuring a typical 17" rim and about 28-30" tire
 
#1,230 ·
I did some more reading on the Nitto 420s and a lot of diesel guys were making 1.5-1.8 60’ times on them, I can get those for about $135 a tire compared to $235 for the Hoosier slicks, plus I can drive to the strip with them on
 
#1,231 ·
I have a set of the MT drag radials but I have yet to run on them to try it out. This weekend is our last races until next year too..
 
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#1,233 ·
Using MT 31-15x14 rim I have run 1.58 60'. IMO, they work great.
 
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#1,232 ·
My Hoosier slicks 29-17x9 is I think the best traction tire setup for stock axle/ brake. The selection is limited.
 
#1,234 ·
Getting the rear gears changed today

Baxter providing some helpful input
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I saw this in a youtube video, so not my idea. But I got a 1" to 1/2" pipe adapter from home depot plumbing section, its for black threaded pipe. It was the perfect outside measurment to fit in the axle nut. Then I found an 11/16" deepwell socket would fit in there so I pressed in on with a vise. I'll throw a tack weld on there to hold it for torquing the nut back on
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#1,236 ·
just think my Grandfather use to laugh at my dad for doing that,
" you know Richie there's a reason the factory makes special tools for the dealer mechanics"
"yeah to pay for upper managements retirement fund"
 
#1,237 ·
How do you like it? I'm thinking of doing the 3:92 this week.
 
#1,238 ·
Didn’t get them done last night. Had to pull it apart to change the pinion shim and trashed my good bearing pulling it off. So I gotta grab a new one and put it back together. And we started 12 hour days for a week more so I’m running out of time to work on it. I might leave work early today to try and wrap it up
 
#1,239 ·
Damn... you will get it....
 
#1,240 ·
The biggest time spent was trying to nail down the process of setting the backlash with the side adjusters. I tried watching some videos but every one of them “ran out of time” at the end to record the process. Pretty annoying
 
#1,243 ·
The whole thing is a pain. We are getting closer now, doing the final set and check
 
#1,244 ·
Well I started the night with an empty diff, and ended the night with an empty diff :banghead:
Put the pinion in and torqued the nut to 215 ft lb. that put it right at the correct preload, I couldn’t believe it. But checked it again and it was right on. So went ahead and set everything up with the diff. After everything was done and checked out good I double checked the pinion and what do you know, it had settled and now there was slop in the bearings. I knew it shouldn’t of been good with only 215 ft lbs. So I started torquing it down again, max I could do by hand was around 300 ft lb and I ran out of strength. So I tried the air impact and it wouldn’t budge either. So I took the nut off and put the old washer behind it, added some oil to the back, added oil to the impact, and it zipped right on and overtightened. So glad I left work early to waste all evening and get no where. Ordered a new crush sleeve, should be here tommorow but I don’t have any time at all to work on it for probably another week. Not a happy camper tonight
 
#1,245 ·
Chris, sorry you are having a rough time of it....
 
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#1,248 · (Edited)
it sux, but good news is you can step away from it and approach it next time with a better understanding of what to expect. When it's done that smile is worth the $4-500 someone else would charge you to so it....not to mention with each task you conquer , the smaller the next challenge is.


My youngest niece says "If this stuff was easy Honda guys would do it".
 
#1,249 ·
At the drag strip Friday watching Keith there was a little 4 banger running 8’s at 150+....
 
#1,250 ·
Toyota and those Dam Nissans can fly.:dance: