At this point it looks like about $3200.00. And you’ll make at or near 500hp falling out of bed. Fairly easy to do, and 500+tq.

 

Sign me up, just what Dr. Olds ordered.

Thanks so much for pulling this all together. You are making many dreams come true.

 

Newest update;
I finally got, what I now believe, is a more accurate shipping and handling cost.
Bad news, because of the current 25% tariff on goods in this category, the absolute best selling price possible will be in the $1800-1900 range. These will be better material than before, with some added features. But nonetheless, not an inexpensive piece by any stretch.
So, unless I get a host of additional interest, at this new estimated price, this project may be dead.
Let know your thoughts gentlemen. Thanks.

 

I'm still in.

 

What is the difference between 5140 you mentioned in Oct, and the potential current 4340 material?

 

5150 has chrome
4340 has Nickel, chrome and molybdenum

I would think the 4340 would be a bit more tough and fatigue resistant.

 

It is. I toyed with the idea of going back to 5140 for these because the costs keep rising. And the 5140 is already way overkill, like the last shafts were.
But these will also serve well for the DX guys too so I guess it makes sense to just make em all out of 4340.
And these will be much lighter than any 3.00” main crank anyway, by a long shot.

 

Another update;
Ordered 2 as a sample. Unfortunately I didn't get the order in before their Chinese new year. So it'll be April or so before I get the sample cranks. From there it's 4-5 months.
Final configuration is, 4340 Billet, 4.00" stroke, Profiled counterweights, SBC rod journals, All else Olds dimensions. Final cost should be $1750.00 or so.

Thanks.

 

Where's the "LIKE" button on these posts? Great news!

 

Top RH corner of page >>> Thread Tools

 

Another update.
Moving along. The pic shown is a roughed in billet. We're still working out the dimensions. But I expect to have a finished product by early to mid fall.

 

What are you thinking the final weight is going to be for that crank?

 

Probably about the same as the prior ones, mid 50#’s.

 

Just to be sure...this is for the 4340 billet, 4.00" stroke crank you mentioned in Feb above?

Thanks,

 

Yep

 

Loving the progress, Those throws and counterweights look very aerodynamic. "Space-Age" even, almost like a "Rocket", lol. Thanks for driving this project!

 

Yay! First 4340 sample crank has arrived! So far so good but I’ll drop it in a block later to see beyond that. I’ll let you know!!

 

I'm in. Looking forward to gathering parts and completing the build. Not looking forward to paying for it.

 

Don't know if this is allowed , I am new here , cutlassefi I have questions about efi . candocm1@gmail.com

 

Email sent.

 

Looking great, looks like this might be my project this winter (assuming my daughter gets her license and gets the hand-me-down car out of my garage to give me room to work).

 

Mark - update on these?

Thank you.

 

Looks like late spring at this point. We redesigned/positioned the counterweights to get the balance we want. Once that’s finalized they’ll go full out on the remaining batch.

 

Thanks for the attention to detail, Mark.

 

Thanks Mark, looking forward to receiving mine in the near future.

 

Mark @cutlassefi , what's the update on these cranks? Is there a batch coming in? Are they impacted by tariffs?

 

I asked Mark for an update in April, his reply was

"I just got the second d sample back and so far it looks good.
HOWEVER, I’m going to see what happens with this tariff thing first, I may hold off on the batch. I’m pretty sure nobody wants to pay 3k+ each for these."

Hopefully not a major delay, as I'm still waiting for my CNC ported heads to come back from Payton. But once I have the crank and heads (and money lol), assembly can begin.

I'm sure Mark will provide an update.

 

As mentioned second crank came back much closer to the target bobweight.
I’ve placed the order. We’re hoping to capitalize on this latest reprieve. But I’ll let you know what we can do.

 

Great news! Please do keep us with deposits posted, I've never done anything like this before and while I do trust you..., I am feeling a bit anxious. Thanks Mark!

 

 

Any updates on this Mark? Thanks.

 

As mentioned, they’re ordered. Looks like November realistically. The issue was balancing. These are designed to be internally balance at or near a bobweight of 1750-1775gr. We didn’t have enough counterweight on the first sample crank. Second sample was much better, balanced just fine.
So as things progress, I’ll keep everyone posted.
Note; I also now have a new batch of the designed piston for this combo from Mahle. 4.125” bore, 8cc dish with a Chevy pin designed to go along with a bb head and to fit the rod I supply. I have 4 sets available if interested.
Let me know.
Thanks!

 

Excellent, thanks!

 

you seem to be struggling to get the end counterweights big enough to internal balance…why didn’t you design two center counterweights in to begin with? it’s a solid chunk of metal you started with, then cut away everything in the center ,, which screwed you up more than you realized for internal balance with that stroke.

a casting or forging is a different story because you need to make major changes to the casting pattern and forging dies ..when you start with a billet, you have the perfect opportunity to do an internal balance the right way…with center counter weights

it’s so much easier and better with center counter weights to internal balance.

 

Again, criticize first.
OK, Mr. know at all. You have absolutely no idea what it takes to make sure every dimension is correct.
Furthermore, the previous 6 counterweight Crankshafts I had done in 5140 had no problem with balance, NONE, they were actually too heavy, a lot of drilling.
The rod throws are drilled more on these, and they’re made from 4340, so the material change effects it as well, hence the required counterweight amount is too.
Lastly, I actually consulted numerous crank manufacturers(ie Tom Molnar, my buddy from Manley, Moldex and others) regarding center counterweights, all agreed, not needed for this stroke and rpm range. Plus it would’ve added cost.

Stay in your own lane. You have no clue what it took to do this.

Better yet, if you’re so hell bent on the center counterweight issue, have Bryant, Moldex, or Velasco make you one for more than twice the cost of this. And with that, the block is still gonna break way before the Crank will anyway.
Go away, please.

 

you’re lost when it comes to knowing why the center counter weights are best for internal balance and why it’s a major mistake spending time cutting away that material in the first place.
Every single aftermarket crank manufacturer, and the ones you named dropped , say a fully counterweight crank simplifies the balancing process, especially with increased strokes.

the longer the stroke, the more the need for fully counterweighted crank.

https://engineprofessional.com/magaz...ht-discussion/

 

I agree. The longer the stroke, the easier it is to balance. But you’re not listening. This stroke, in this application, doesn’t NEED the center counterweights in order to balance correctly.
And again, it would add cost, I discussed this at length with my supplier.
Look at Molnar and Manley for instance. They make a similar 4.00” stroke LS crank that routinely are wound to 8000rpm and beyond. 6 counterweights, and no problem with balance.

 

Per the forum rules there shall be no trolling.