If you're on a budget I wouldn't touch the bottom end of the engine unless you're planning on slowly building the engine over time. The rest of the advice is going to depend on how you want to reach your goal (forced induction, nitrous, naturally aspirated).

 

So I’m looking to do this slowly and I want to do it right the first time, I’m not opposed to forced induction I just have less experience with it

 

What does your budget look like?

 

Realistically I’d like to stay between 4-5k on the engine but less would be ideal

 

looks like bubba's

 

I literally said out loud after I read his comment then scrolled down and saw your post lol

 

You have Jim Woods and Mark O'Neal on here.

Both sell 408 stroker kits.

Ask the people who actually do this for a living...

 

I had looked into the fordstrokers.com and website kit but there are quite a few options that are all fairly unfamiliar such as what piston choice would suit me best etc.

 

I'll also say reach out ang give Jim a call. He will talk you through your options and couldn't be a nicer guy to deal with.

 

Thanks, I definitely will give him a call. That should take care of my rotating assembly, any opinions on heads, intake, cam, injector, rails, or tb?

 

For 4k-5k I don't think you're going to get the block machined, buy a rotating assembly, heads cam intake etc. If that is your budget and the 351 you have right now is in good enough shape I would say bluemp301 has the right approach.

 

4-5k is a rough guess not a dead set number, just trying to get an idea on other peoples builds. The 351 needs a new rotating assembly anyway so I figured why not build it how I want it. I’m also trying to pick up some second hand parts where I can to save a little money, just trying to get an idea of what I should be looking for.

 

dont fall into bubba's new bait. these questions are so new that they can't possibly be real. all this information is and has been easily accessible for years. I smell another bubba.

 

On a budget I’d keep the displacement stock and find a good stock replacement for the rotating assembly. Then put all your money into the top end. Top ends tend to have more resale value too

 

My worry with sticking to stock displacement is that after the build is all said and done I’ll be left with a “that’s it???” feeling. This is why I wanted to go this route to hopefully avoid that.

 

The top of the engine is where the power is going to be made. A bigger displacement is helpful but not needed for your goal. Being realistic you're going to need to double your budget to properly build a 408 unless you come across an incredible deal.

If I were you I'd either put together a top end for the stock 351 or I would buy an on3 turbo kit and turbo the stock longblock. Keep in mind you still need supporting pieces such as an upgraded fuel system/drivetrain/engine management unless you have that covered.

 

What does a rough run down of that build engine look like, the supporting pieces are built in to my car budget

 

You should learn about quench first. so important for a first time engine build

 

Quench........?

That be Mountain Dew....right?

 

Bear in mind that our motto is "Have it My Way"......

 

And I love mountain dew

 

My build looks like this.
Heads, cam, intake, throttle body. $3,000
Injectors, fuel system. $2,000
Computer. $1,000
Shortblock. $5,000
Headers, oil pan. $1,000

$12,000 total. This number does not include my K member, engine mounts, radiator, transmission, transmission cooler, rear, driveshaft, wheels tires. Just the engine and what I needed to get it in the car.


I rounded all of the numbers up because there’s always a bunch of stuff that you don’t think about when doing a build but you still have to buy the products.

 

Also some of these parts I bought used. Like the throttlebody in the headers

 

And didn’t mention pushrods, lifters, oil pump, gaskets

 

Rockers

 

Valve covers

 

Its at least another $1,000