426 Stroker and 4.2L Kenne Bell

[HellcatMatt]

It’s been a long 4 months but the car is nearing completion. For those that didn’t see my thread in the other forum, my stock blower grenaded and shrapnel took out my motor with it.

My initial intent was to rebuild the stock motor but after a lot of time, thought and some opportunity, it became sort of an all-out build. Here are some of the details:

ENGINE:
-426 stroker (technically 428)
-Molnar Crank
-Molnar Pwr Adder Rods
-Custom RaceTec pistons (10:1 for E85)
-HC Ported Thitek heads with upgraded springs (A big thanks to @WhipCat for these!)
-All ARP studs throughout
-Stanke rocker arm set
-Custom Johnson lifters and Smith Bros pushrods

TUNING:
- @curt_dusterhofftuning

FUEL: E85
-ID1300 injectors
-IE Gasohol dual pumps
-JMS Powermax Dual BAP

S/C:
-Kenne Bell 4.2L with 170mm Mammoth TB

EXHAUST:
-Kooks 2” Headers w/Jet Hot coating
-Kooks catless pipes to stock catback

TRANS:
-Stock M6 (for now)
-McLeod RXT 1200 Clutch

DRIVELINE/REAR:
-DSS Alum Driveshaft
-P4D DIRS
-BMR cradle bushings
-BMR Diff lockout
-Spohn upper/lower/trailing arms
-BMR toe rods

The car is currently undergoing the transplant so I will update as this progresses but here’s some pics from the build.

 

[MiHiHemi]

We went from Hellcat to Johnson lifters also. Having a hard time getting Thitek to spit out their product in a timely manner...long wait. Nice build!

 

[rdlsrt]

Very nice!

 

[SNeal5966]

Wow, this is a beautiful project! I am drooling over here!

 

[Marc W]

Nice!! Was going with the 4.2 KB vs the larger sizes based on advice or just availability? I think you are going to find that having the M6 is lucky. I’ll suggest that you look into the OST T400 conversion before you spend money on trying to make that manual work. Looking forward to seeing this come to fruition. Good job on your choices!

 

[HellcatMatt]

Thanks everyone! Everything was looking so good, part of me wanted to just keep in my living room!

Marc- Kenne Bell was running a really good sale a while back so I ordered one expecting to stay with stock displacement at that time. Combined with my power goals of upper 900s to 1000ish at the tire. That’s still the case with this motor so I think the 4.2L will be a good fit.

I’m way over built compared to what the motor can handle but I wanted a lot of safety margin and room to grow if needed. For now, I want to keep a manual in it and that’s the reason for keeping the power low. I’ll likely enjoy it for this fall and then have RPM transmissions build it to their Level 7 this winter. This car is a weekend toy for me and its going to be about 70% street and 30% track use..... I really enjoy driving a manual so I’ll try it for awhile and adapt if I have to in the future and then turn it up!

 

[Jack_Toepfer]

Your transmission called, it wants a divorce.

Should be a badass build, and it sounds like you know what you're in for going with the M6.

 

[Demon1]

That's good looking equipment there. Keep us informed.

 

[MiHiHemi]

I was lucky enough to snag a Big Gas alum. Hellephant block for my N/A build. Apparently my builder can no longer get them as they are reserving them for dedicated Hellephant builds and race teams. Except for each end, all 4 bolt mains. Feeling very fortunate to have one. Eager to see how yours turn out. Should be a blast!

 

[cole3986]

I agree the block is hard to get, what bore size did you go with (there are 6 or 7 blocks listed in the catalog), really nice build, congratulations on scoring the block.

IMO, be careful with the M6, Gamble upgraded the M6 with transzilla (by Rockland Gear). It is supposed to be good for 1,000 ft pound of torque. He blew it up after a few passes (so I am told) and went to a turbo 400.

 

[HellcatMatt]

I was lucky enough to snag a Big Gas alum. Hellephant block for my N/A build. Apparently my builder can no longer get them as they are reserving them for dedicated Hellephant builds and race teams. Except for each end, all 4 bolt mains. Feeling very fortunate to have one. Eager to see how yours turn out. Should be a blast!

View attachment 895 View attachment 896

That is such a nice piece! The weight savings would be really nice. Congrats on getting it!

Cole- I’ve read a few guys wrecking Tranzillas as well and even some RPM’s. However, I’m not sure if they were the level 7’s but I’ve had really good luck with them on Vette’s. They weren’t this kind of power so we will see. Jeremy at RPM was confident it would hold the power but we shall see. If I break them, I’ll make the switch to auto. I’m just not ready to give up the manual just yet....it might be wasted money but let’s face it, everything about this hobby is!!

 

[cole3986]

That is such a nice piece! The weight savings would be really nice. Congrats on getting it!

Cole- I’ve read a few guys wrecking Tranzillas as well and even some RPM’s. However, I’m not sure if they were the level 7’s but I’ve had really good luck with them on Vette’s. They weren’t this kind of power so we will see. Jeremy at RPM was confident it would hold the power but we shall see. If I break them, I’ll make the switch to auto. I’m just not ready to give up the manual just yet....it might be wasted money but let’s face it, everything about this hobby is!!

Please keep us informed, you have a great build going on, maybe get the M6 record? I have to look it up, anyone know what it is?

 

[Demon1]

Please keep us informed, you have a great build going on, maybe get the M6 record? I have to look it up, anyone know what it is?

I don't know about the M6 record, but I just saw Epling ran 7.87.

 

[HellcatMatt]

Please keep us informed, you have a great build going on, maybe get the M6 record? I have to look it up, anyone know what it is?

Definitely will keep you guys updated. I’m not sure what the M6 record is either but if you find out, let me know. It might be something I’ll try and tackle. I didn’t want to go all out with a cage and all the necessary bits but maybe enough to get that slip and/or get booted.

My initial goal was to run a 9.99@140+ on the original setup where it made 913whp and 833wtq. Unfortunately it let go before I had a chance to run it.

 

[cole3986]

Definitely will keep you guys updated. I’m not sure what the M6 record is either but if you find out, let me know. It might be something I’ll try and tackle. I didn’t want to go all out with a cage and all the necessary bits but maybe enough to get that slip and/or get booted.

My initial goal was to run a 9.99@140+ on the original setup where it made 913whp and 833wtq. Unfortunately it let go before I had a chance to run it.

Gamble has the record at 10.25 @ 140 ( I just looked it up, based on torque news from 9/2016). With your build, piece of cake. Gamble broke a few half shafts before he converted, just letting you know.

 

[MiHiHemi]

I agree the block is hard to get, what bore size did you go with (there are 6 or 7 blocks listed in the catalog), really nice build, congratulations on scoring the block.

IMO, be careful with the M6, Gamble upgraded the M6 with transzilla (by Rockland Gear). It is supposed to be good for 1,000 ft pound of torque. He blew it up after a few passes (so I am told) and went to a turbo 400.

I forgot the boar size. Sure is light though. Easily picked it up myself. Builder says we should shave at least 130 lbs off the front.

 

[HellcatMatt]

Gamble has the record at 10.25 @ 140 ( I just looked it up, based on torque news from 9/2016). With your build, piece of cake. Gamble broke a few half shafts before he converted, just letting you know.

Thanks, I appreciate that!.... I also looked into it a little. Chad Feyerabend (Ivorycat) ran a 10.19@137.98. Interesting indeed. Power won’t be the problem but I’m sure I’ll have some learnings and parts to get there.

I know you car is a different animal but what has been your best so far?

 

[cole3986]

8.68 @ 163 I have broken a lot of parts getting there, I am trying to help you avoid the pitfalls I learned the hard way (if I can). I am not an expert on the M6 but I am in the game and read. The bolts used on the half shafts used by DSS and G Force stretch, please check them after every pass. They are the highest strength available, installing higher yield bolts is not an option.

Please keep the half shafts happy.

 

[16GoManGoHC2]

Gamble has the record at 10.25 @ 140 ( I just looked it up, based on torque news from 9/2016). With your build, piece of cake. Gamble broke a few half shafts before he converted, just letting you know.

Didn’t know I came so close to the M6 record with this pass



The 60’ did it, was my best ever, slipped the clutch for about the first 15 ft of the line. Did 2 1.8’s after that at 11.1-11.3 but that run my only 10 ever. Track prep was GREAT and helped immensely

 

[HellcatMatt]

8.68 @ 163 I have broken a lot of parts getting there, I am trying to help you avoid the pitfalls I learned the hard way (if I can). I am not an expert on the M6 but I am in the game and read. The bolts used on the half shafts used by DSS and G Force stretch, please check them after every pass. They are the highest strength available, installing higher yield bolts is not an option.

Please keep the half shafts happy.

I appreciate that, I’ll take any advice I can get. What shafts do you suggest getting? Are there much differences between the 2?