Main caps?

[fe66comet]

Been a while guys, been hiding out waiting for the thaw out LOL. We got above zero today whew I need some iced tea and a tee shirt. Anyhow I am wrapping up my 445 build with my Ebok survival stage X heads and race rockers. I was thinking of upgrading my main caps, are cross bolted mains my only choice? I would like splayed caps if possible. Another question I had is line boring necessary , my bottom end has already been assembled and I would like to avoid doing that all over again. Next would be if installation is like a SBF or SBC where you install the cap and drill so that no major machining of the rail needs to be done? Thanks guys..........Jon

[BH107]

Crossbolt is the only real option for an FE. Unfortunately that means alot of machining on an FE block if they weren't already in place, and yes you will have to have it line bored again.

You other option is a stud girdle, but they can require just as much machining since none of the surfaces are perfectly square to start with.

[fe66comet]

Yeah I had the block squared, bored  with torque plates, align bore along with decking. I also installed restrictors and thread in plugs, polished the valley and walls along with a road race sump and windage tray. At the time I was unaware a cap kit was available. I guess I could knock it down and eat the gaskets. I fitted the rings and had everything static balanced. A gasket set is a small price to pay I guess compared to what I have invested and stand to loose. With my calculations and talking with other FE builders my HP levels are way beyond  capacity of my main caps.......Jon

[BH107]

Lots more info here...it was discussed just a few day back.

http://fepower.net/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=1563.0