My C4 Makeover
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 26
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From: Foothill Ranch CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,387
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Jim is a serious asset to this forum and its members. Extremely patient and can talk cars all day. You will love that 396. Looking forward to seeing the all shiny new parts come together. Lots of torque for you in the future....lots......
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 26
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From: Foothill Ranch CA
I just got another update from Jim on the progress with great new pictures. We talked quite a while on the phone about options. For the most part I am opting for the higher quality components..within reason. I just sent Jim a nice fat check for the next round of parts.
Wow, it is a bit surreal to see these images of my engine coming out and then disassembled. It is very cool to see the progression in these images. The reality of this is really hitting me and I am getting more and more excited!
Wow, it is a bit surreal to see these images of my engine coming out and then disassembled. It is very cool to see the progression in these images. The reality of this is really hitting me and I am getting more and more excited!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
IDK...I think a complete color change would be easier on a vett than most other cars. Especially if you needed to replace the weatherstripping!
Cool paint job though! thanks for sharing!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 126
From: S.L.C. UT
I guess Neither Dan or I mentioned exactly what is going into the 396. So we will use the Stock 4 bolt main block, Eagle 4340 3.875 stroke crank, Crower Sportsman Stroker rods, SRP pistons, a Crower 221/230 .560/.580 lift on a 114 LSA, 11.0 compression, AFR 195 comp port heads, Comp 1.6 ultra gold billet aluminum roller rockers, 58mm TB, Canton 6qt oil pan. And a NOS 125 shot of nitrous.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 26
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From: Foothill Ranch CA
OK, so this is a major update. Jim has already picked up the block from the machine shop and put together some of the major components.
While waiting for the machine shop, Jim cleaned up and painted the engine compartment. As you can see from the first pic, it is now a fitting container for the gem that it will soon contain.
The next pics are the block fresh from the machine shop - just a meticulous job.
Following those are various quality components that will soon become part of this monstrosity followed by some *choice* pistons.
Last but certainly not least, is the beginnings of the assembly of this beastly motor.
While waiting for the machine shop, Jim cleaned up and painted the engine compartment. As you can see from the first pic, it is now a fitting container for the gem that it will soon contain.
The next pics are the block fresh from the machine shop - just a meticulous job.
Following those are various quality components that will soon become part of this monstrosity followed by some *choice* pistons.
Last but certainly not least, is the beginnings of the assembly of this beastly motor.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 26
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From: Foothill Ranch CA
Things are coming together quickly now. In fact I now have a shortblock!
A couple technical things to point out which I learned from Jim:
A couple technical things to point out which I learned from Jim:
- The rods are at a super-close clearance to the block of 0.07" (see close-up) which is near the minimum of 0.05". Total stroke is 3.875 which is greater then GM's max production 400 small block of 3.75.
- Jim went the extra mile of verifying the cam timing which is a near perfect 0.5 degrees retarded. That's the pic with the big blue disk sticking out of my engine. If it were off further, the high-end would see a bit more hp at the expense of the low end and advancing it would reverse that but it would need to be 5 or more degrees off to notice that.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 26
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From: Foothill Ranch CA
This morning Jim had a correction for me to post regarding my last post and I had to laugh a bit because it reveals what a perfectionist he is and how much I trust him to do the best job he knows how to do..and what know-how he does have!
Anyways, the correction is that he believes you could notice an offset in cam timing as low as 2 degrees, not 5.
Anyways, the correction is that he believes you could notice an offset in cam timing as low as 2 degrees, not 5.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 52
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From: Salt Lake City Utah
I'm a good friend of Jim's. I had the opportunity to stop by last night and see this project in person. I have also had the opportunity to see this step by step from the time the car was delivered. It's hard to believe that the block is the same block it looks so good. Dan is right the pistons are absolutely beautiful. The project is going great. As good as it could be going. One thing about Jim is after doing this for over 30 years he is really fast. I swear he has ever bolt, connector clip
whatever memorized. Where it is at, what it is for and so on. In addition to the new engine Dan has had new brokes and rotors installed, Jim's waiting on a new stage 3 spec clutch to install, new battery, wires, plugs you name it, it's getting refreshed or replaced.
Being a recipient of several engine builds, blowers, turbo's, rear ends, k-memebrs and everything else that makes cars go faster, Jim has done for me. I currently have an LT 409 in my 1993 Z07. After I dyno it I will do a thread also. A 409 cubic inch LT4 409 is fairly unique so it should be of interest to gear heads like the ones reading this thread. I'm excited for Dan and I am sure he will love his Vette more than he thought possible.
whatever memorized. Where it is at, what it is for and so on. In addition to the new engine Dan has had new brokes and rotors installed, Jim's waiting on a new stage 3 spec clutch to install, new battery, wires, plugs you name it, it's getting refreshed or replaced.
Being a recipient of several engine builds, blowers, turbo's, rear ends, k-memebrs and everything else that makes cars go faster, Jim has done for me. I currently have an LT 409 in my 1993 Z07. After I dyno it I will do a thread also. A 409 cubic inch LT4 409 is fairly unique so it should be of interest to gear heads like the ones reading this thread. I'm excited for Dan and I am sure he will love his Vette more than he thought possible.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 26
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From: Foothill Ranch CA
Look at the gem that is going to cap my engine!
BTW, Jim was praising me for my quality choices in the options he presented, but I felt like the real praise goes to Jim for all his gracious explanation, dedication to quality, hard work and knowledge.
Just looking at these pictures and thinking about Jim's explanation of the torque and horsepower I am soon to experience gave me butterflies.
BTW, Jim was praising me for my quality choices in the options he presented, but I felt like the real praise goes to Jim for all his gracious explanation, dedication to quality, hard work and knowledge.
Just looking at these pictures and thinking about Jim's explanation of the torque and horsepower I am soon to experience gave me butterflies.
