FAUEE

Similar topic for discussion... what mileage ro you say "well i really should teardown and rebuild"? Say you were doing a hotcam, lt4 heads, and long tubes, does it make sense to just pull the engine to freshen everything else up? Where do you draw tbe line? And is there a lot of poi t in doing a hotcam without lt4 intake and heads?

Just some food for thought, and an interesting discussion.

JBPC4

1993C4LT1

I'm searching for my next C4. Most likely, I will go with this cam and some longtubes. At least power wise. That'll be plenty fun, IMO.

aklim

If I am going that far, and I have, I would not bother without a rebuild. If you are going to make more power, wouldn't it stress out the engine more and lead to accelerated wear? Sure, you can say "I won't drive it hard." but if you believe that, OK. You already have the heads off so how much harder is it to go all the way with a fresh block?

Charsel

Thanks for all of the feedback. Maybe a compromise is in order due to budget and downtime; on CF, I've read about 1.6 rockers and LT4 springs, then decide on cam. Seems like there would be 20-30 HP gain with tune and headers. Plus, I would be set for Hot Cam (or better) and ported heads.

jayjones

I think you should decide right now what your overall goal is and make a plan. If you want a moderate boost to stock power right away, and then a more aggressive build and engine refresh later then cam/rockers/springs will get you there without headers. But if you have the cash now and want to pull the engine then it's better to upgrade and refresh everything with a well planned mod list and a builder or machine shop ready to go.

aklim

Best advice in the thread, bar none. I'd also add that it might be better to save up as opposed to "What can I buy now?" so you can do the job right the first time and not skimp to make the budget.

1993C4LT1

Someone correct me if I'm wrong. But if you have a healthy lt1/4, and you want to put a hotcam and headers. Let's say you keep red line at factory. How can you be hurting the engine that much to warrant a rebuild? I mean, you'll be making an extra 60 horse tops.

cv67

No reason to if its healthy. If an engine is going to go it doesnt care how much power its making
Youll feel the cam and headers its worth it. You can drive a car hard without hurting it depends on habits.
Waiting til the oil is hot helps things last and keeping a realistic rpm limit.
I dont understand guys who run a stock cam up to 6300 its doing nothing but creating heat.

Charsel

I appreciate everyone's advice and expertise. I am contacting a local shop that was recommended for LT1 work and map out a plan. Seems like 3 ways to proceed:

1. Headers and tune first, then internal work when rebuild is warranted;

2. Cam, headers, and tune; rebuild when necessary;

3. 1.6 rockers, LT4 springs, headers, and tune; or

4. Do absolutely nothing.

Leaning towards #3 because all external work, don't have to pull engine, and starts a platform from which to build on later. I like idea of going a bit more aggressive with cam, but that's for 150k rebuild (if needed). Time to add something to my wife's Santa List.

Merry Christmas.

aklim

IF you keep it that way and be gentle, you are correct. OTOH, would you have the discipline to not romp on it? Just like nitrous. If you just use it a couple times, it is cheaper than getting a supercharger. OTOH, it isn't much fun just looking at the blue bottle thinking "I wish I could".

aklim

How does that work? You can idle a motor till the oil is at operating temp but romping on it will shorten the life. I can start it and drive it BUT not romp on it and that will keep it together longer.

aklim

I vote for #2. IF you get that done, flog it till it breaks and then rebuild.

Charsel

No NOX, Supercharger, or Turbo. Very comfortable being NA. Could say something rude about not getting blown, but there may be children in the room

Charsel

40 yrs ago, let the flogging begin. But that was my Mom's GTO.

aklim

Like what? A preference of stroking the motor or forced induction? I'd rather be stroked before being blown.

Charsel

That's what she said

aklim

She thinks that? OK Whatever floats her boat.

FAUEE

Im in a similar boat as you, my car is. Very healthy 1r0k miles. Its fun now. But part od me wants just a bit more, like lt4 levels. But i also want reliable. I feel that stock, or even with headers, it would last indefinitely. Every time i think lt4 upgrades are the way, i remember how much it would suck to do that and then need a rebuild right after.

i vote option 1. Putting a cam in is a lot of work, and may as well do heads at that point. Fhen you may as well freshen the engine. Then you probably may as well buy an lt4 car snd save money.

Charsel

Talking to shop this week and floating options. Cost and down time are factors. Probably will cost about the same for 1-3. Have to see how much HP each will provide initially, and with future mods (porting intake/heads). Also read to use 1995-96 Impala SS head gaskets to pick up .75 compression ratio??????