B38

Too many options out there on the web. As soon as I go forged crank the cost is $650.00 more and then internally balanced. Then buy balancer and flywheel. Never ending build out cost. Has any body used the cast crank with success with using 7.4 balancer and flywheel, I have driveline so need starter ring on back side of flywheel. Then there scat and eagle assembly, some H beam rods and others I
beam. Any backyard builds out there with success is what I'm after. Of course I'll have block punched to 060. Deck height also with kit seams to be an issue. Your thoughts are welcome. B38
Currently running stock gen 6 7.4 cast junk now for 8 years with 5 lbs of boost with no issues. I have a good set of gen 4 blocks and rectangular port heads for this build.

Crude Intentions

iTrader: (1)

Conventional wisdom says forged. Even the mag engines were forged. You have had good luck with the cast stuff but for all the time and effort to pull and rebuild the forged would be well worth it I think.

B38

Forged crank is my goal but then I need neutral balanced damper and cut counter weight off flywheel and rebalance. Unless someone knows where are two 168 tooth flywheel s made for rear mounted starter. See nickel and dime me to death. Lol

B38

Ok forged crank only comes internal. Price for flywheel is additional $400.00 × two. Another 2,300.00 to go forged internally balanced crank and flywheel verses cast. Oh $hit, the balancer I didn't add in that #. Ok $2,500.00 more. Sometimes better off buying complete shortblock and save $$$. Then I'll go 540s brother. :-):-):-)

TorchLK

The very early 496 MAG HO engines had a forged crank. I had documentation for this at one point but don't know where I saved it. I believe model years 2000ish to early 2002 had them. If you do some digging you should be able to find some others saying the same thing I am.

If you can find one it will save you some costs. There is so much different than a normal BBC crank it will be hard (and expensive) to duplicate. Even things down the the balancer bolt thread size is a bastard size!

BUP

iTrader: (9)

one year only and x amount of them were forged cranks

airjunky

iTrader: (2)

I dont think he is going for the ls 496 , he is looking at a gen 4 496 build.
Should be able to pick up a pair of cast n balance flywheels for a few hundred, and at least verify the starters wont fit back in the normal location before sweating ring gear orientation too much if thats even a issue.
You may end up having to balance it all anyway if you mix and match rods cranks pistons ect

BUP

iTrader: (9)

I think your right about the 454 to a 496 as me and post # 5 mixed that one up. Darn post # 5 made me think a 8.1 / 496.

Had to blame someone else for the misconception haha

B38

Looks like I got moved. Oh well.
Looks like 540s are in my future. Cost for part s are the same, just end result is more CUBIC INCHES.
Details will kill me if I'm not diligent. B38

getrdunn

iTrader: (7)

Any half way decent balanced forged rotating assm including rings pretty much figure on 2,500 +-.
I'd have machine shop rebalance regardless so if you piece meal it together for better pricing dont sweat it. If I'm understanding you right and wanting 540's rather than 496's I would assume you already have 502 blocks? You can make respectable power out of 496's but need decent heads. Can't go wrong with either 496 or 540 just depends on how fast you want to go and how much you can spend.