I saw on eBay a guy had a 2.5 iron duke for sale that was full race. He mentioned having the block machined to accept a SBC 350 head. What is involved with using a SBC head on a duke?
Unless there is a different block, I dont think that would be possible, because the SBC uses five studs around each cylinder in a pentagon pattern, with one shared by adjacent cylinders, and the Duke only has four studs round each cylinder in a square pattern, sharing two between each cylinder, so NONE of the studs would even line up.
If I completely off base on this, someone please let me know, because if you could do that, you could increase the horsepower potential of the Duke a LOT!
That engine on ebay has a super duty 4 block. It is not your standard production iron duke block like in a Fiero. The company (Kansas Racing Products) that now makes the super duty block can prep the block to accept a variety of different heads.
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09:54 PM
GTDude Member
Posts: 9056 From: Keysville, Virginia, USA Registered: Nov 2001
NO way........it's not even close. The only head close is the 301V8 Pontiac engine. In fact.....they are interchangeable. SBC....sure.......you can weld anything on..........LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Phil
------------------ 87 FIERO GT 2.8 5spd 0-60 in 6.8 seconds!
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09:57 PM
Fierobsessed Member
Posts: 4782 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 2001
You know what would be really cool? Stick the stock valve cover on it (somehow) and find a way to mount the air cleaner onto the 4 barrel carb, then tell everyone at the race track its a stock 2.5, then rip off a high 11 or low 12.
------------------
"How do I get one of those Smileys that rolls back and forth accross the screen?" -Archie
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10:04 PM
DRA Member
Posts: 4543 From: Martinez, Ga, USA Registered: Oct 1999
Don't know about the heads but I thought I read a Hot Rod article back in 84 or 85 that did a 2.5 build up and mentioned using SBC rockers and pistons. They also mentioned the crank and rods but can't remember the details. Seems like it said you could use the rods or the crank but not both together, I know that makes no sense but it was a long tome ago so I'm not sure what the real deal was. Just remember thinking I would be happy with the build they were doing, may have been a SD-4. Anyone know how to dig an old article like that up?
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10:13 PM
Timberwolf Member
Posts: 77 From: Battle Creek, MI USA Registered: Jan 2003
Don't know about the heads but I thought I read a Hot Rod article back in 84 or 85 that did a 2.5 build up and mentioned using SBC rockers and pistons. They also mentioned the crank and rods but can't remember the details. Seems like it said you could use the rods or the crank but not both together, I know that makes no sense but it was a long tome ago so I'm not sure what the real deal was. Just remember thinking I would be happy with the build they were doing, may have been a SD-4. Anyone know how to dig an old article like that up?
Seems like the crank may have a few too many throws for that swap Thats a lot of extra weight to be swinging around in there...
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10:29 PM
BV MotorSports Member
Posts: 4821 From: Oak Hill, WV Registered: May 2001
If I am not mistaken the late 70's skylark, Fidensa (spl?) (and other GM FWD) Used a 5 bolt 2.5 block. I remember reading this block was almost identical to the SD block except for the main webbing. A SBC head is suppose to "bolt on". Would have to do some further research.
Steven
------------------ 88 Fiero coupe 2.5 5 speed, Custom IHI RHB6 turbo equipped, gutted and track abused 88 Coupe Project "F-88" has begun....Classified TOP SECRET 87 Fiero GT 14.9/ 89mph **4.9 PFI swap in progress** 87 Fiero Coupe 91k miles 87 Mazda RX-7 SBC v8 5.0L/700R4 ---FOR SALE 88 Mazda RX-7 'vert SBC v8 383/T-5 84 Fiero 2M4 T-top, Turbocharged and tons of extras! SOLD 87 Conquest TSi 406 SBC V8! SOLD **I am Looking for 88 coupe w/ auto trans near Va...PM me** Always have engines, fiero parts and accessories for sale. Custom engine swaps and chassis modifications are available.
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10:41 PM
DRA Member
Posts: 4543 From: Martinez, Ga, USA Registered: Oct 1999
Seems like the crank may have a few too many throws for that swap Thats a lot of extra weight to be swinging around in there...
Beleive the article invloved a lot of machine work and the mention of the crank option was for strength, assume they would have done a major mod job to it. Maybe it was just the rods and pistons, I'm old so forgive my failing memory. Just remember the article seemed to hint at over 200HP. Man I wish I had not thrown all those old magazines out the first time I got married!
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10:49 PM
Timberwolf Member
Posts: 77 From: Battle Creek, MI USA Registered: Jan 2003
If I am not mistaken the late 70's skylark, Fidensa (spl?) (and other GM FWD) Used a 5 bolt 2.5 block. I remember reading this block was almost identical to the SD block except for the main webbing. A SBC head is suppose to "bolt on". Would have to do some further research.
Steven
See... this could be pretty interesting... I have seen people on the camaro boards selling one head...an AFR195 or something fairly cheap. This could open up a lot of flow potential
