Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific - What block for 540?

I was looking at the stroker kits, and a 540 isn't much more than the 496 kit. How big can you go on a stock gen IV block?

unless its a bowtie block or a twin/siamese bore I wouldnt go pass 500cid.just my 0.02 cent for ya.good luck

.030 over bore is safe, so you need to get CID by stroking it. Short deck block 4.25 is max and tall deck truck block you can go 4.375 or maybe 4.5 so you can find a calculator and do the math. Need to use at least a 6.385 rod and try to keep your compression height around 1.2 so you can use an off the shelf piston.

You might just want to step up to a dart big M block. They sell relatively cheaply on ebay and you can get them with rotating assemblies.

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505" is the bigest, on a 9.8 I've seen that lastest more than a few pass'. I don't trust going more than .100-.110 over on a stock block. I've gone .105 several times, no problems.

Big bore block is well worth it, if you can afford it. A short deck can go 582" safely with a big bore block. I know, I've done it.

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just do a gen 6 502 block. you can get them under a grand and go to at least 582"

so the dart big M block can be made, SAFELY, into a 540ci motor?

Yea, I believe so. That's a tall deck right? I'm pretty sure it will take a 4.5" bore and 4.5" stroke like the tall deck Merlins I've been looking at.

do not do a merlin block

Yea, I believe so. That's a tall deck right? I'm pretty sure it will take a 4.5" bore and 4.5" stroke like the tall deck Merlins I've been looking at.


If u r looking for a good rotating assembly, I have a set up for a 555 with very few passes on it.

Lunati Pro Billet 4.25 crank
JE gas ported custom pistons
Manley Pro Mod rods

All good stuff, get a Bowtie or a Dart Block and u will be in good shape

Just throwing it out there for u

How much you looking to get for it?

How much you looking to get for it?

Let me see and I will pm u tommorow

Andrew

do not do a merlin block

What is wrong with the Merlin blocks?

I have a dart bigM in my car,mine is 572cu.in,4.5bore/4.5stroke.I ordered my block and rotating assy w/bearings new off e-bay for 3,745 shipped to my door.I know they had 632cu.in kits available useing the same block so 540 is not a problem :drive:

I have a dart bigM in my car,mine is 572cu.in,4.5bore/4.5stroke.I ordered my block and rotating assy w/bearings new off e-bay for 3,745 shipped to my door.I know they had 632cu.in kits available useing the same block so 540 is not a problem :drive:

How is that 572 working out for you? I saw those shortblocks on Ebay earlier today.

What is wrong with the Merlin blocks?
they are 100-150lbs heavier than a big m and a couple other issues.

they are 100-150lbs heavier than a big m and a couple other issues.

A new merlin III block is not 100-150lbs heavier than a dart big m, put your crack pipe down.

Dart Big M= 240 lbs
Merlin III=260 lbs

Now Merlin does have a block that has a 11.625 deck height and it only weighs 297 lbs, still a ridiculous claim of 100-150lbs heavier even for that block. What issues do the current merlin blocks have? I just had to say something, because that bogus claim could sway someones decision and spread even more wrong information.

I have a dart bigM in my car,mine is 572cu.in,4.5bore/4.5stroke.I ordered my block and rotating assy w/bearings new off e-bay for 3,745 shipped to my door.I know they had 632cu.in kits available useing the same block so 540 is not a problem :drive:


A 632 has to use a tall deck block, which is a 10.2 deck height due to the 4.75 stroke on the crank..

I forgot to mention....Mine is a 10.2 deck block.... And it is working out pretty good so far :jest:

I've also heard from my engine builder that World Products is having issues with their blocks not holding up (cracking and such) in both mega HP and 500-800 HP combinations.

Derek

they are 100-150lbs heavier than a big m and a couple other issues.

Buddy of mine just built his ProStreet 615 and used the 10.2 block, shipping weight was 250, slightly higher than the 9.8......However if you want to you can do what I did and get you a Donavon Aluminum block, shipping weight 114 pds. Big difference, keeps the weight down on the street.

Andrew

I have a Dart Big-M and a Merlin Block, both short deck, I like the Dart much better. The Merlin is about 30 lbs heavier based on when I scaled my car. The Merlin also has more bolt holes that go into the water jacket at various places, not a big deal deal, but I didn't notice them till I started putting water in.

My next block will be Aluminum, not sure if I'll get a the Dart or Brodix or something else. Anyone recommend the best aluminum BBC block.

I really like my Brodix sbc block. I would give them very, very strong consideration for an aluminum bbc.

I have a Dart Big-M and a Merlin Block, both short deck, I like the Dart much better. The Merlin is about 30 lbs heavier based on when I scaled my car. The Merlin also has more bolt holes that go into the water jacket at various places, not a big deal deal, but I didn't notice them till I started putting water in.

My next block will be Aluminum, not sure if I'll get a the Dart or Brodix or something else. Anyone recommend the best aluminum BBC block.


Donavon if you are going to beat on it with a bunch of spray.. The Brodix blocks have had a problem cracking under pressure, just my opinion.