So, after years of use, billet caps or girdle?

[turbows6]

I know there was a debate over this topic several years ago, but what is the consensus these days? Billet caps or girdle?

 

[TARZAN]

For me, it was girdle...

-Will

 

[Grumpy]

For me, it was girdle...

-Will

X2

 

[jarredsoon]

Grumpy did you ever fit a girdle on a TTA?? Is there enough room?

 

[Grumpy]

Grumpy did you ever fit a girdle on a TTA?? Is there enough room?

a long long time ago.. From what I remember it was ok but had to mess with the crossover pipe. sorry thats about all I remember.

 

[87WE4BOOSTED]

Billet caps here. My goals dictated my choice. I only set a goal of mid 10's hence me just running caps. IMO, 9.9 and faster I would have went with a girdle and probably a staged block.

 

[blackgn1]

Girdle and stock caps.

 

[MSDGN]

Girdle and stock caps for me too...many low 10 second runs

 

[Jerryl]

Billet caps here. My goals dictated my choice. I only set a goal of mid 10's hence me just running caps. IMO, 9.9 and faster I would have went with a girdle and probably a staged block.

X2. To get solid advice, it requires an experienced builder AND a stated goal.

Me . . . . . Caps because of the goal here as well. . . . . PLUS . . . . Did not want to:
1-Deal with any leaks . . . I know when installed correctly they don’t leak but I am too tired to pull motors to fix this kind of stuff.
2-Wanted to be able to pull the oil pan with the motor in the car.

 

[SloGN]

Caps here. I started with a girdle and ended up spining a main bearing . So I left the girdle behind .

 

[Jerryl]

Personally . . . . I would go billet crank with caps on sonic tested block, before girdle..
If I wanted more that what that can offer . . . . SII.

 

[GBGN1]

My goal is too build a 9.90 engine but run lower 10's. Every builder I talked to about the 109 lately said run caps and forged crank and you will be good to go as long as the machine work is good.

 

[84BuickGNYorkPA]

I went with stock crank, stock rods converted to floaters, stock caps and RJC girdle w/scraper, extra capacity oil pan.
Once you get into forged crank, you need other aftermarket parts for it that are as expensive as the new crank, I personally could not justify the $$$$ for my 95% street car. Three yrs later and no problems, fastest mph so far was a 127.78 which should have been about a 10.6 with a good converter and traction.

Chuck

 

[GBGN1]

For me. Besides the $650 for the crank.. All you need is a neutral har balancer , Like I did and got a stock one with the weight machined off and a neutral flywheel. Got them both used for $200 in great shape and have it balanced and whala. You have the durability of better parts. Dont think thats too bad

 

[m233roller]

2-Wanted to be able to pull the oil pan with the motor in the car.

My block is girdled and I pulled my RJC oil pan in car with no problem. Here's a pic. of it. Damn lowered cars.

 

[Pronto]

Ouch.

 

[BEATAV8]

Caps have been fine for me so far, had 'em on 2 different motors to date. One with a stock crank and one with a forged crank. Do see some fretting on the block registers on both motors but that hasn't been problematic.

I will build a girdled motor some day.