stroker kits and build questions for first timer

[AGM114]

I am currently deployed to Afghanistan but upon my return I want to build a 4.6 stroker out of the worn out and underpowered 4.0L that currently resides under the hood of my 2000 Wrangler. After doing some reading on the forum I’ve seen a surprising lack of people using ‘stroker kits’. It seems the general trend is to Frankenstein an engine together from junk yard parts, stuff you got for free and whatever you have to already have laying around. I’m considering getting a stroker kit that comes with 80% of the parts right there; most of the kits come with the rotating assemblies balanced and blue printed with rods and pistons pressed together. Depending on the company selling the kit I have seen everything included from port and polish heads to fuel injectors (price being the obvious variable). So with that said what is the general consensus on these ‘kits’, gold or garbage?

The kit I am most closely looking at right now is the stage one kit from 505 Performance which claims to include the following.

“Remanufactured 258 crankshaft – balanced and blueprinted Factroy OEM Rods and rod bolts – balanced and blueprinted Forged Keith Black Pistons *Specify Bore – 30, 40, 60 *Select Compression Ratio – 9.2:1 or 10.2:1 Engine Pro Rod and Main and Cam Bearings Stage 1 Cam Kit 266 /272 Performance Camshaft *cam *lifter *4340 push rods *4340 single roller chain and timing set *cam retainer bolt and button Standard Performance Oil Pump Rated at 400hp 24lb injectors Performance Gasket Kit Good for all Fuel injected, supercharged, and turbocharged engines”
Price = $2,111.50

I also emailed the folks at 505 with a few questions concerning some of the specifics so I could crunch some numbers, trying to think ahead about stuff like SRC, DRC and quench, this was their response.

“9.1 compression, .015 piston in hole, cam at .050 is 208/212, .445 lift ground 114 “

What do you think on this kit? From what I’ve read I almost feel like it’s too good to be true and that it can’t/won’t be that easy.

Another concern I have is machining/general time. My Jeep is my only car so while its down for machining work/assembly/install I will be driving my motorcycle everywhere. Granted I live in south Texas so I’m not really worried about too much rain or inclement weather but it happens from time to time. What time can I expect for typical machine shop work with a stroker build (block cleaned, checked for cracks and general health, bored and decked, plus any work on the heads)?
This will be my first engine build so I’m trying to tread lightly and do my homework first, any help would be much appreciated. I’ve got 5 months left in this deployment, I figure it’s plenty of time to get most of the big stuff figured out.

[Missourian]

I have less that $2100 in my STROKER build in parts and that includes a NEW Crank from HESCO (buy it directly from SCAT and save $100) and Re-manufactured Head by ATK through http://www.4WD.com.-

I would say find yourself a good machine shop in your area to perform the machining /assembly and acquire the parts you need for your build yourself. You will save considerable money and you have the time to acquire the parts.

Thanks for your service to our country!

[Retlaw01XJ]

I'm not convinced the stroker parts package deal is the most cost effective either. You could probably shave several hundred off of that price if you shop around and buy elsewhere.
My machine shop gave me good turn-around. Usually about a week. I'm assembling now, 5 weeks after I pulled the engine, and six weeks since I first bought a Jeep!

[IH 392]

Agreed, if you've got the $$$$ and want it right NOW!, go for it, but I'm cheap!, I don't have a close $ figure I've got into my engine yet but it's probably somewhere around $1300?, the single most $ output was for the ICON 944 pistons, I can't think of any more parts I'll have to get?, but I might spring for a FLOWCOOLER water pump?

[AGM114]

So after taking everyone's advice in piecing together my own parts I have come to the conclusion that is it is only marginally cost effective to piece meal parts together over getting a 'kit' package. I have a list of all the parts I've researched for the build and compared the total cost to that of the already put together 505 Performance kit. The 505 Performance package had the following items for a cost of $2111.50

Reman 258 crankshaft - balanced and blueprinted (advertised claimed)
New Factory OEM Rods and rod bolts – balanced and blueprinted (advertised claimed)
Forged Keith Black Pistons
Engine Pro Rod and Main and Cam Bearings
Stage 1 Cam Kit
266 /272 Performance Camshaft
*cam
*lifter
*4340 push rods
*4340 single roller chain and trimming set
*cam retainer bolt and button
Standard Performance Oil Pump
24lb injectors
Performance Gasket Kit

Now here is a parts list (with prices and dealer) for the same items. Now please take into account that some of the parts are *performance* parts and price could be cut down a little if I opted for the standard parts; examples of this are the timing set, bearings, and oil pump. Total price for this list is $2,153.58.

KB944 forged pistons and rings (+.030) (sold by 505 Performance) $489.00
505 Performance new 258 crank (505performance.com) $477.75
High volume oil pump and pick up (autozone.com) $79.99
sealed power freeze plugs (summitracing.com) $21.99
Clifford Performance 264 Cam Kit (cliffordperformance.net) $399.00
Mopar Performance timing set (summitracing.com) $149.95
Seal power gasket set (summitracing.com) $86.95
Clevite main bearings (summitracing.com) $74.95
Seal power rod bearings (summitracing.com) $35.99
Comp Cam 24lb/hr injectors (autozone.com) ~6x$60 = $360.00

One other note, even though the cost of the above list is more than the 505 kit, the Clifford cam kit comes with springs, locks and retainers which is a couple hundred dollars for all those added to the 505 kit if you buy the frequently mentioned Mopar Performance springs, locks and retainers. Another thing to consider is the shipping cost to get all these things from 4 different vendors. So while many of you (or all it seems) have assembled the necessary pieces and parts for much less than this, this is what I'm looking at. Any recommendations or reviews on some of the parts listed? Thanks.

[IH 392]

So while many of you (or all it seems) have assembled the necessary pieces and parts for much less than this, this is what I'm looking at. Any recommendations or reviews on some of the parts listed? Thanks.

When you return home, Ebay, Craigs List, local machine shops, local auto wreckers, nickle adds, swap meets, ask everyone you pass on the street?, your quotes are from some of the highest priced sellers.

[Missourian]

So after taking everyone's advice in piecing together my own parts I have come to the conclusion that is it is only marginally cost effective to piece meal parts together over getting a 'kit' package.

That is not what I have read. If you can get what you want in a kit, there you go! It's only money, right?

[gone to far]

I am also looking at the clifford cam. Did you get this cam? Is it going together yet? Do you have the sprcs of the cam card?