Im in the process of building a gen VI 502. I had mentioned stroking it to 540 cu in to four different engine builder friends of mine. Top notch guys who have been doing this for longer then I have been alive, (38 yrs) Was told by all that a short deck 540 would have excessive piston wear and wouldnt make good power. After running both packages through a reliable computer program in order to pick a cam it turned out the 502 030 over made more torque and HP then the 540. Heard 557 is the ticket? Anybody have one for a while?

Engine builders or MARINE engine builders??????

The 540 is more capable of making more hp and torque than a 509.

I guess it depends on how hard you're going to run it. I have 400 hours on a set of Innovation 600 hp short-deck 540's....

in the marine word.......".theres no replacement for displacement"

My "short deck" 540 made 657Hp with mpi fuel injection and only 8.1-1 compression N/A and 1115hp with the procharger bolted on,I would buy a new computer program or change the info your putting into it because somethings flawed,haven't heard of any marine 502's or 509's out performing 540's,Smitty

I used to think/hear the same thing years ago before I had my 4.25" stroked short deck engines built. A tall deck is nice, but not necessary. I guess it depends on who you talk to. My people tell me the BB Chevy short deck with 4.25" stroke isn't the greatest rod/stroke angle, but at 5500-6000rpm it isn't chit and no concern for wear. Now a short deck with a 4.50" stroke is a place I probably wouldn't go---don't hear much about those for marine engines.

A 540 combo in a short deck block is absolutely no problem. I have built many 4.250 stroke , short deck engines and all run excellent with ZERO wear problems of any kind. Our 1 X 4 540 marine N/A package makes 750 HP effortlessly. If your using a Dart block you may want to consider going to a 4.560 bore. This will give you better breathing on the cylinder heads and make a bit more power. You will still have plenty of cylinder life with the block . (max bore 4.630)

I've got blown 540's with over 200 hours and no problems. A friend has N/A 540's putting out 625 with loads of hours. His tunnel rams are very nice. I think you should talk to some of the major engine builders. Call Tommy @ Chief, great guy and builder, he won't steer you wrong. I would STAY AWAY for whoever you are talking to now! Just my .02.

A buddy's got a low-deck 540, 871 blown, 850 hp. 400 hrs, never been apart, works very well.

I am running a Dart Big M 9.800" deck height, Callies Magnum 4.25" crank, Lunati 6.385" rods, Mahle 4.5" pistons. Makes 725 hp with no problems, n/a, 9.25 compression.