Rocket Build

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Old January 14th, 2022, 05:26 AM
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Rocket Build

I probably know better but I thought I’d go ahead and post this anyway.
it looks like I’ll be doing 3 Rocket block builds to start the new year. Here’s the first of the three. This and it’s twin brother will be 557ci., with the third being anywhere from 496-505ci.


I’ll go thru the combinations as things move along. I’m sure there will be lots of questions!
Thanks.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 05:34 AM
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Awesome, please give all your thoughts on the blocks and any issues found. Interesting indeed!
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Old January 14th, 2022, 06:31 AM
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Very nice!
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Old January 14th, 2022, 07:10 AM
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I know everyone is banking on the cubic inches but has anyone thought about building the rocket block as a destroked combo if possible at all ??? . Seems the fastest olds have been stroked sbo builds .
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Old January 14th, 2022, 07:26 AM
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I'm looking forward to reading about these.

Thanks, Mark.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 08:40 AM
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What heads are going on the 557’s ?
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Old January 14th, 2022, 08:56 AM
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Originally Posted by coppercutlass
I know everyone is banking on the cubic inches but has anyone thought about building the rocket block as a destroked combo if possible at all ??? . Seems the fastest olds have been stroked sbo builds .
Are you thinking of a stock or lightened 400/425 crank or custom billet crank with a big bore?
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Old January 14th, 2022, 09:37 AM
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A custom crank would probably be ideal but yes big bore short stroke and turn some RPM. Seems like cylinder head is still a limiting factor. Having more cylinder to fill probably does not help. I know there is a certain threshold where the head can only feed so much air at certain RPM but I know for a fact some of those stroker DX builds where turning some serious RPM to make the power. Don't know to what extent guys are building these. But I believe the fastest " car " not dragster was a 7 sec car with a DX based build N/A

Last edited by coppercutlass; January 14th, 2022 at 09:48 AM.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by coppercutlass
I know everyone is banking on the cubic inches but has anyone thought about building the rocket block as a destroked combo if possible at all ??? . Seems the fastest olds have been stroked sbo builds .
I have a destroked 455 factory engine with a 425 crank that a machine shop didn't stroke crank the virgin 425 to increase it to the Ci. I wanted. I was wanting a 4.375 or as close as I could get. They went 4.09 . That being said I now have a 450 Ci Oldsmobile engine runs great but not what I wanted. Anger doesn't begin to describe what I said when I got my parts back after paying balancing, boring . That's another story. Carry on with Rocket engine builds.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 10:03 AM
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Originally Posted by coppercutlass
A custom crank would probably be ideal but yes big bore short stroke and turn some RPM. Seems like cylinder head is still a limiting factor. Having more cylinder to fill probably does not help. I know there is a certain threshold where the head can only feed so much air at certain RPM but I know for a fact some of those stroker DX builds where turning some serious RPM to make the power. Don't know to what extent guys are building these. But I believe the fastest " car " not dragster was a 7 sec car with a DX based build N/A
Who's car was that and at what weight?
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Old January 14th, 2022, 10:05 AM
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Wr1970 you missed my point.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 10:07 AM
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I will actually take that back fastest door olds was 8.2 in the 1/4 with a 434 . Millers dragster ran the 7 sec 416 n/a . Bee a while since I looked at it but it seems the fastest to date have all been SBO based. . I'm just curious if anyone will do a rocket build as a de stroked package

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Old January 14th, 2022, 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by coppercutlass
Wr1970 you missed my point.
The rocket block is stronger than a 455 because that is why this engine was made to improve the flaws and allow more cubes. I got your point I simply stated I have a destroked 455 . That being said no different than what you proposed except with a stronger block you should be able to turn higher rpms. I can turn more rpms but at some point boom. First you need heads that will take advantage of that. For cheap guys the rocket block accepts all your factory heads, factory intakes ECT that a factory block uses.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 10:34 AM
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You forget with all those cubes you need a head that can flow well enough to not limit the needs of all that space to fill
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Old January 14th, 2022, 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by coppercutlass
You forget with all those cubes you need a head that can flow well enough to not limit the needs of all that space to fill
Very true. Most use CI as a crutch. Those DX builds mentioned above have one thing in common they don't have stock location ports.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by olds 307 and 403
Are you thinking of a stock or lightened 400/425 crank or custom billet crank with a big bore?
557’s will have custom billets, 4.600” stroke. See if anyone can figure out the bore now😉. Those will be relatively mild builds.
The 505 will be more up Velcro’s alley.

Remember guys we’re still a long way off on any of them. And also don’t forget, I have a new cyl head in my possession 😎.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by coppercutlass
I know everyone is banking on the cubic inches but has anyone thought about building the rocket block as a destroked combo if possible at all ??? . Seems the fastest olds have been stroked sbo builds .
You’d need a really long rod in order to make up the deck height. Probably not the best configuration.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 12:23 PM
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4.39

Love my 505 complete Rocket engine
Attached Files
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Dyno 627 Graph.pdf (119.7 KB, 92 views)
File Type: pdf
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Old January 14th, 2022, 12:30 PM
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I was talking more in terms of a short deck version. Seems the original configuration of this block was big cubes low RPM relatively speaking. I know that in it's as cast configuration it would seem goofy to try to destroked it . Cubic inches sell and I can see why that was an option. But a short deck version would be interesting to see because as mentioned some of the fastest olds have all been stroked DX's.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by coppercutlass
I was talking more in terms of a short deck version. Seems the original configuration of this block was big cubes low RPM relatively speaking. I know that in it's as cast configuration it would seem goofy to try to destroked it . Cubic inches sell and I can see why that was an option. But a short deck version would be interesting to see because as mentioned some of the fastest olds have all been stroked DX's.
Huh . The Rocket Racing Block is built on a 455 platform. Never heard of a short deck in a Oldsmobile BBO. As for fastest in D/DX / nascar block this Rocket block may be much faster time will tell. I would rather have a aluminum version of the Rocket Block.

Last edited by wr1970; January 14th, 2022 at 06:07 PM.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 02:50 PM
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The more CI the greater potential for power.
The better the cylinder head the greater potential for power. If you have one without the other, the results will be less than optimal. Just remember the factory Olds head layout is less than optimal regardless of how much porting you have done.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by 69455
4.39

Love my 505 complete Rocket engine
In looking at your data, thats the best big Olds build I've seen on here, nice work!
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Old January 14th, 2022, 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Duh
The more CI the greater potential for power.
The better the cylinder head the greater potential for power. If you have one without the other, the results will be less than optimal. Just remember the factory Olds head layout is less than optimal regardless of how much porting you have done.
Yes
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Old January 14th, 2022, 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted by 69455
4.39

Love my 505 complete Rocket engine
Have you raced this car NA with the new engine yet?

Last edited by VORTECPRO; January 14th, 2022 at 03:57 PM.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 03:59 PM
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Wow, that 4.390" is huge. Is ring selection the reason vs the max 4.4" bore? The billet cranks make perfect sense. I'm sure these will all be 15 to 20K builds plus the rest of the car and drive train also need to be up to task for serious torque.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by olds 307 and 403
I'm sure these will all be 15 to 20K builds.
Try again. Rings are available for pretty much anything from 4.250 up.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 05:22 PM
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Hmm, I await the reason. Is 4.4" the max bore on these motors?
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Old January 14th, 2022, 05:25 PM
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Yes, info sheet provided with the block says at 4.400 it has .200 wall thickness. But beyond that you’ll potentially run into head gasket sealing issues.
And overall it’s a very robust casting. However it’s not necessarily build ready as is.

Last edited by cutlassefi; January 14th, 2022 at 05:27 PM.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 06:11 PM
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Originally Posted by cutlassefi
Yes, info sheet provided with the block says at 4.400 it has .200 wall thickness. But beyond that you’ll potentially run into head gasket sealing issues.
And overall it’s a very robust casting. However it’s not necessarily build ready as is.
I am following along. 😎Build.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 06:41 PM
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[size=13px]I am not a racer, but agree with copper. Small block Olds. D/DX or the HP DX350.
Bare HP DX350. with main caps, came in as 325 pounds with small wood pallet. What's the Rocket engine weight??

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1451...er/1671969274/[/size]
[size=13px]848 HP @ 7900 rpm and 616 lbs ft @ 6600 rpm[/size]. Andy Mark, Olds Performance and Machine. . 3.800 and around 350cfm Batten. [size=13px]Comp >16:1.[/size]

intake was around .740" lift and duration was around 296° @ .050". Andy Mark, engine pictured is at less than 50 percent of its engineering capacity. Also will be posting up a 435 that made 909.

That the same block HP DX350, I have at BTR. I be happy with 700 HP. 8,000+ rpm. Love the gold color! Same as the one currently in my car.






Last edited by HighwayStar 442; January 19th, 2022 at 08:40 AM.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 06:48 PM
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Originally Posted by HighwayStar 442

[size=13px]I am not a racer, but agree with copper. Small block Olds. D/DX or the HP DX350.
Bare HP DX350. with main caps, came in as 325 pounds with small wood pallet. What's the Rocket engine weight??

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1451...er/1671969274/[/size]
[size=13px]848 HP @ 7900 rpm and 616 lbs ft @ 6600 rpm[/size]. Andy Mark, Olds Performance and Machine. . 3.800 and around 350cfm Batten. [size=13px]Comp >16:1.[/size]

intake was around .740" lift and duration was around 296° @ .050". Andy Mark, engine pictured is at less than 50 percent of its engineering capacity. Also will be posting up a 435 that made 909.

That the same block HP DX350, I have at BTR. I be happy with 700 HP. 8,000+ rpm. Love the gold color! Same as the one currently in my car.





👍 Nice
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Old January 14th, 2022, 07:55 PM
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I am currently in the process of building a 529 rocket block build. It should make over 900hp. I will post a thread when it gets a bit further along.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 09:35 PM
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Originally Posted by olds 307 and 403
Wow, that 4.390" is huge. Is ring selection the reason vs the max 4.4" bore? The billet cranks make perfect sense. I'm sure these will all be 15 to 20K builds plus the rest of the car and drive train also need to be up to task for serious torque.
15 to 20k ?

The Rocket block I’m doing some head work for was $10,500 to his door.

20k U.S. would be on the low side I would think.
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Old January 14th, 2022, 09:42 PM
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My wheels turn everytime I see one of these blocks.

Ive got a 4.85” stroke billet Moldex crank here ….. 590 at the max 4.40” bore 😎
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Old January 15th, 2022, 06:54 AM
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Originally Posted by CANADIANOLDS
15 to 20k ?

The Rocket block I’m doing some head work for was $10,500 to his door.

20k U.S. would be on the low side I would think.
I was talking more for guys in the US but yeah, it probably is 20K plus, even for them. I 100% believe you with the duty and dollar conversion on the $10,500 amount. Which is why most of us are out of luck, especially up here. Add in a built trans and different rear, a stock 8.5" is very questionable even with everything, so 30K easy. The rest of the car need set up to put it to the ground. Extremely cool if guys can swing it. Mark has a unique opportunity to showcase a multitude of these builds.
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Old January 15th, 2022, 03:49 PM
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Originally Posted by chadman
I am currently in the process of building a 529 rocket block build. It should make over 900hp. I will post a thread when it gets a bit further along.
What cylinder heads will you be using?
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Old January 15th, 2022, 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by oldsmoboogie
What cylinder heads will you be using?
Wenzler ported by John Marcella and a custom one off Marcella intake manifold.

Last edited by chadman; January 17th, 2022 at 05:29 PM.
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Old January 15th, 2022, 04:44 PM
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You are killing me.👍 Following along.
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Old January 17th, 2022, 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by VORTECPRO
Have you raced this car NA with the new engine yet?
My 505 is just a pump gas street build. 4000# car
Best to date 10.24 130mph ( 100 shot )
11.03 engine
Still runs 80 down the expressway with A/C, handles like a vet.

Look foreword to seeing new builds and info !
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Old January 17th, 2022, 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by 69455
My 505 is just a pump gas street build. 4000# car
Best to date 10.24 130mph ( 100 shot )
11.03 engine
Still runs 80 down the expressway with A/C, handles like a vet.

Look foreword to seeing new builds and info !
THAT'S what I'm talkin' 'bout! Dig it
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