Engine Rebuild Kits
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,583
Likes: 5
From: Richardson Tx.
Engine Rebuild Kits
Got the Engine out and am trying to decide on what to put back in.
I am leaning towards the Vortec heads to replace my #624 castings.
I am looking for an Engine Kit that will give bump up my compression a little bit from stock. I will be replacing the pistons as well (w/ Cast) due to the .030 bore of the cylinders that it needs. Looking to get around 300hp at the flywheel w/ a mild idle- no big deal. Does anyone recommend an Engine rebuild kit that comes complete with the Pistons and a mild Cam that will achieve my goals. ?
I looked at the Summit and Jegs catalogs but didn't really see something specific. I was hoping to find a Kit that states, " With Kit XYZ and 64CC heads you will be around X.X Compression Ratio and X amount of horsepower "
I am leaning towards the Vortec heads to replace my #624 castings.
I am looking for an Engine Kit that will give bump up my compression a little bit from stock. I will be replacing the pistons as well (w/ Cast) due to the .030 bore of the cylinders that it needs. Looking to get around 300hp at the flywheel w/ a mild idle- no big deal. Does anyone recommend an Engine rebuild kit that comes complete with the Pistons and a mild Cam that will achieve my goals. ?
I looked at the Summit and Jegs catalogs but didn't really see something specific. I was hoping to find a Kit that states, " With Kit XYZ and 64CC heads you will be around X.X Compression Ratio and X amount of horsepower "
Last edited by 79vetter; Jul 13, 2005 at 09:49 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,135
Likes: 3,939
From: Connecticut, USA
I bought a upgraded kit from Northernautoparts.com in Iowa. Name brand parts and better pricing then the others. Once you know which way you want to go I'd give them a call to see what they can do.
You're going to need to know the bore, rod and crank sizes.
Good luck,
Gary
You're going to need to know the bore, rod and crank sizes.
Good luck,
Gary
Pro
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 520
Likes: 5
From: Front Range
Be careful what you do with your compression. Decide first if you want to be able to run pump gas, and that will determine what sort of compression you can run. But that doesn't mean run to the parts store and buy pistons; the camshaft you select will affect your dynamic compression, so you really have to look at the whole picture first if you want an effective build.
With L-31 heads and a mild cam you will easily be able to have 300 HP, at a reasonable compression to be able to run on the occasional bad tank of gas. Keep your dynamic compression under 9.3 or so and you'll be doing great.
Your first concern with vortecs is the quench you end up with, so if you have a stock block this will more than likely require decking unless you find some fancy pistons.
you should have about a hundred questions at this point. What's your budget?
the blonde weasel
With L-31 heads and a mild cam you will easily be able to have 300 HP, at a reasonable compression to be able to run on the occasional bad tank of gas. Keep your dynamic compression under 9.3 or so and you'll be doing great.
Your first concern with vortecs is the quench you end up with, so if you have a stock block this will more than likely require decking unless you find some fancy pistons.
you should have about a hundred questions at this point. What's your budget?
the blonde weasel
Pro
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 520
Likes: 5
From: Front Range
oh, sorry... you were looking for a kit. Try Eagle performance parts.
the only thing I'd say, is if you have enough time, you can build a better setup for less money if you shop around. but then shopping around takes background knowledge, which takes research. all depends on how much work you think you're capable of doing.
good luck
tbw
the only thing I'd say, is if you have enough time, you can build a better setup for less money if you shop around. but then shopping around takes background knowledge, which takes research. all depends on how much work you think you're capable of doing.
good luck
tbw
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Northern Auto Parts might be OK, depending on what pistons come with the kit. I have bought several from them for stock buildups and been very happy.
For more customization on the kit try PAW out of California. 818-998-6000 it says on the '97 catalog in my desk. They used to have multi-page ads in all the car mags. I have used them twice and been happy.
For more customization on the kit try PAW out of California. 818-998-6000 it says on the '97 catalog in my desk. They used to have multi-page ads in all the car mags. I have used them twice and been happy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
From: I can explain it to you, but I can't comprehend it for ya.
I bought the engine kit from Northerauto.com when I rebuilt the engine in my Z28.
I upgraded to the hyperuretic (sp?) flat-top pistons (the guy I talked to said they were Speed Pro brand) the Fel-Pro gaskets, the Coyles double rolller timing set, and moly rings.
I Installed Vortec heads and intake, Comp Cams 268H and am runnin the original Q-jet and cast iron exhaust. I ended up with 10.3:1 commpression.
It turned out to be a very nice little street engine! My butt dyno says about 290-320 HP at the wheels. But the real icing on the cake is the torque. The Vortecs and that cam make tons of it from 2200 to 5000 RPMs'. Coupled with the 4 speed and the factory 3.73 gears makes for a very, very fun cruiser!
I upgraded to the hyperuretic (sp?) flat-top pistons (the guy I talked to said they were Speed Pro brand) the Fel-Pro gaskets, the Coyles double rolller timing set, and moly rings.
I Installed Vortec heads and intake, Comp Cams 268H and am runnin the original Q-jet and cast iron exhaust. I ended up with 10.3:1 commpression.
It turned out to be a very nice little street engine! My butt dyno says about 290-320 HP at the wheels. But the real icing on the cake is the torque. The Vortecs and that cam make tons of it from 2200 to 5000 RPMs'. Coupled with the 4 speed and the factory 3.73 gears makes for a very, very fun cruiser!
Last edited by Dwaynes69BB; Jul 15, 2005 at 10:50 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
From: I can explain it to you, but I can't comprehend it for ya.
Originally Posted by 79vetter
Do you have to run Fuel additive because of the compression?
Also, is your idle pretty lumpy?
Also, is your idle pretty lumpy?
Another plus on the Vortec heads is that they perfer 32 degrees advance in by 3000 RPMs instead of the usual 36 degrees.
Also, if you decide to go with the Vortecs (I highly recommend them) know that the machine shop I deal with says the 90% of the Vortecs that they have cc'd came in at closer to 61-62 cc's in lieu of the advertised 64 cc. Thats why my compression is a smidge higher than I had planned on, but it doesn't seem to have created any detonation problems so, I'm more than happy with the combo.
And as far as the cam goes, it does have a very, very nice idle. You definatly can tell that the engine has had a "little work" done to it.
And, I'm runnin the factory manifolds and 2-1-2 factory pipes. With headers and true duals, I'm sure it would sound even meaner. Not to mention another 15-20 hp.
