As stated, both are very different modifications and neither one solves the problem the other solves. One more strongly drives the load, the other lessens the load. Combined, both could be fantastic.
Use an exaggerated example to think about it: two different sized people using different tools to remove lug nuts. Take a heavy dude with lots of strength and give him a 12” ratchet. Then give a medium guy with medium strength a 24” breaker bar. Hell, give a kid the breaker bar….the breaker bar will be more successful. Despite the guy with the ratchet being large and having lots of strength, he is going to work really hard to break those lugs loose. The breaker bar operator will barely exert any effort.
Now, imagine giving the strong guy the breaker bar….overall better situation.
All that said, gearing is more important. With gearing, you may decide you’re happy enough that you don’t want more power. When you go with more power, you will likely still want more gearing. Or, you may want both.
If you do think you’ll want both, you may adjust the gearing choice a bit, say by choosing 4.10 over 4.56, or whatever. That can be fine, but can also be a poor choice. If for some reason the stroker doesn’t pan out, then you may have paid a bunch of money for the wrong ratio. I’d gear for the 4.0 and then let the stroker just be icing on the cake if you do it. The stroker will still work well at any rpm the 4.0 works well at.
Use an exaggerated example to think about it: two different sized people using different tools to remove lug nuts. Take a heavy dude with lots of strength and give him a 12” ratchet. Then give a medium guy with medium strength a 24” breaker bar. Hell, give a kid the breaker bar….the breaker bar will be more successful. Despite the guy with the ratchet being large and having lots of strength, he is going to work really hard to break those lugs loose. The breaker bar operator will barely exert any effort.
Now, imagine giving the strong guy the breaker bar….overall better situation.
All that said, gearing is more important. With gearing, you may decide you’re happy enough that you don’t want more power. When you go with more power, you will likely still want more gearing. Or, you may want both.
If you do think you’ll want both, you may adjust the gearing choice a bit, say by choosing 4.10 over 4.56, or whatever. That can be fine, but can also be a poor choice. If for some reason the stroker doesn’t pan out, then you may have paid a bunch of money for the wrong ratio. I’d gear for the 4.0 and then let the stroker just be icing on the cake if you do it. The stroker will still work well at any rpm the 4.0 works well at.
