Re: Vortec 4200 vs a stroker.
Posted: January 22nd, 2012, 7:25 am
Whay not just go with a gen III 7.0L, or the supercharged version? I think you guy are a little off topic. I am not suggesting that anybody should pull out their stroker and replace it with the chevy motor, I was saying that it is a reasonable alternative. I agree that the stroker could probably produce about 10% more torque than a Vortec 4200, but not at all RPMs. However the Vortec can rev about 20% higher and does produce more overall hp. If you wanted the same or better off the line performance from a Vortec 4200 than a stroker, it would only require the correct selection of your rear end ratios. If you went from a 3.73 to a 4.10 it is a 10% change. Most people seem to go with larger than stock tires on their Jeeps and at some point could improve performance by changing the final drive ratios. The 10% change would give similar off the line acceleration, if you went with a 20% change, the Vortec would beat the stroker off the line and have the same top speed.
So the Vortec has a slight hp edge and the Stroker has a slight torque edge, but the Vortec also reduces weight and gets better gas mileage. Cost wise is probably around the same (boneyard motor vs a stroker) so yea it is not a brand new motor. In the end i think the lower operating costs is the real factor that sets the Vortec 4200 apart.
So the Vortec has a slight hp edge and the Stroker has a slight torque edge, but the Vortec also reduces weight and gets better gas mileage. Cost wise is probably around the same (boneyard motor vs a stroker) so yea it is not a brand new motor. In the end i think the lower operating costs is the real factor that sets the Vortec 4200 apart.