Deck Height for 540
08-15-2009 | 10:17 AM
#1
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From: Mahomet, IL
Deck Height for 540
I am thinking about repowering a Checkmate 259 with a NA 540. Any thoughts on deck height? Is 9.8 or 10.2 a better route to make 575HP or does it matter? Any preferences on a brand of block: Merlin, Dart, maybe something else? Any insight would be appreciated.
Rob
Rob
08-15-2009 | 10:32 AM
#2
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From: League City, Texas
It depends on several things: Do you have parts to re-use like intakes and exhausts? I assume the existing exhausts would not fit due to tail pipe placement being moved up and out a little.... but someone else with that experience would need to verify that, as I don't know for sure.
As for power, the deck height is not going to matter. I just finished my n/a 540's with stock GM 9.8 Gen VI blocks and mine made 720+hp on pump gas.
Future mods will dictate deck height. If you want to (someday in the future) go bigger than 4.250 stroke, then yes a tall deck would be a better choice. Some will argue that the rod angle on a 4.250 stroke in a 9.8 deck will cause premature wear, but I disagree. Most people I know build 540, 565, and even 582's out of short decks. Now the 572-582 is really too steep of a rod angle for continuous usage, as it puts alot of pressure on the side walls and wears alot faster.
As for brand..... I personally always use Dart. All of my engine builders use them as well. I heard some things about the World blocks, but cannot remember what it was.
As for power, the deck height is not going to matter. I just finished my n/a 540's with stock GM 9.8 Gen VI blocks and mine made 720+hp on pump gas.
Future mods will dictate deck height. If you want to (someday in the future) go bigger than 4.250 stroke, then yes a tall deck would be a better choice. Some will argue that the rod angle on a 4.250 stroke in a 9.8 deck will cause premature wear, but I disagree. Most people I know build 540, 565, and even 582's out of short decks. Now the 572-582 is really too steep of a rod angle for continuous usage, as it puts alot of pressure on the side walls and wears alot faster.
As for brand..... I personally always use Dart. All of my engine builders use them as well. I heard some things about the World blocks, but cannot remember what it was.
08-15-2009 | 10:53 PM
#5
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 44
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Block ??
I ALSO AGREE DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU HAVE TO USE IN PARTS.
A BOWTIE BLOCK IS HARD TO BEAT!
I WOULD CALL BILL AT ATECO ENGINE AND DYNO SHOP!
Tel: (847) 623-2737
I HAVE A 540 THEY BUILT AND ITS BEEN GOOD!
Godbless
Jump 26 Transportation Service
A BOWTIE BLOCK IS HARD TO BEAT!
I WOULD CALL BILL AT ATECO ENGINE AND DYNO SHOP!
Tel: (847) 623-2737
I HAVE A 540 THEY BUILT AND ITS BEEN GOOD!
Godbless
Jump 26 Transportation Service
08-16-2009 | 06:23 AM
#6
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 931
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From: Little River SC
It depends on several things: Do you have parts to re-use like intakes and exhausts? I assume the existing exhausts would not fit due to tail pipe placement being moved up and out a little.... but someone else with that experience would need to verify that, as I don't know for sure.
As for power, the deck height is not going to matter. I just finished my n/a 540's with stock GM 9.8 Gen VI blocks and mine made 720+hp on pump gas.
Future mods will dictate deck height. If you want to (someday in the future) go bigger than 4.250 stroke, then yes a tall deck would be a better choice. Some will argue that the rod angle on a 4.250 stroke in a 9.8 deck will cause premature wear, but I disagree. Most people I know build 540, 565, and even 582's out of short decks. Now the 572-582 is really too steep of a rod angle for continuous usage, as it puts alot of pressure on the side walls and wears alot faster.
As for brand..... I personally always use Dart. All of my engine builders use them as well. I heard some things about the World blocks, but cannot remember what it was.
As for power, the deck height is not going to matter. I just finished my n/a 540's with stock GM 9.8 Gen VI blocks and mine made 720+hp on pump gas.
Future mods will dictate deck height. If you want to (someday in the future) go bigger than 4.250 stroke, then yes a tall deck would be a better choice. Some will argue that the rod angle on a 4.250 stroke in a 9.8 deck will cause premature wear, but I disagree. Most people I know build 540, 565, and even 582's out of short decks. Now the 572-582 is really too steep of a rod angle for continuous usage, as it puts alot of pressure on the side walls and wears alot faster.
As for brand..... I personally always use Dart. All of my engine builders use them as well. I heard some things about the World blocks, but cannot remember what it was.
08-16-2009 | 08:38 AM
#7
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From: Mahomet, IL
Rob
08-16-2009 | 08:41 AM
#8
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From: Mahomet, IL
I agree, If you already have the major parts , I would use them. Have the block shot blasted to remove scale, first. Pistons can be also coated to reduce friction on the skirts and cylinder walls. I have pushed 775-800 HP out of a N/A 9.800 block with no problems.
Rob
