What is a short block?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 14,267
Likes: 1
From: Plymouth MI Formerly Milford, MA MI
W. Detroit Events Coordinator
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VII Autocross Champ
What is a short block?
I thought I knew but have been corrected a couple times in the past few years and every answer is slightly different.
So I ask what is included in the short block?
Cam?
Thanks, I know a stupid question
So I ask what is included in the short block?
Cam?
Thanks, I know a stupid question
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
From: College Station Tx
Re: What is a short block? (L98Terror)
I can guess at the impetus for this question, so I will go ahead and throw in my 0.02 first ;)
Shortblock is the block, crank, pistons, rods, rings, bearings, and maincaps.
Ref:
http://www.crateengine.net/400438.html
http://www.dssracing.com/bullet_466.htm
http://www.powerpro2000.com/engine_kits.htm
I have seen people include the cam in a shortblock "package", but generally I don't believe it is considered an official part of the shortblock.
Being a good sport if I am outvoted I will change my sig!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,870
Likes: 25
From: Long Island, NY
Re: What is a short block? (L98Terror)
I would have to say a short block doesn't include the Cam. It should be the block,crank,rods, & pistons.
Many people say they have a stock short block w/heads and a cam. To me this means that the crank/rods/pistons/bearings have never been disassembled.
Vic.
Many people say they have a stock short block w/heads and a cam. To me this means that the crank/rods/pistons/bearings have never been disassembled.
Vic.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 26,679
Likes: 17
From: This vette goes to 11 Milford MA
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
Re: What is a short block? (ChrisB)
I guess it depends on where you are purchasing it. All of the factory style replacement short blocks I have seen include the cam, lifters and timing set installed. It seems that aftermarket performance engines don't because they figure that you are going to custom tailor your cam to your combo anyway. So overall, even though places sell a shortblock minus the cam, I would have to say the generally accepted description includes the cam. Long blocks usually only have heads and valvetrain components as an addition. As far as your sig, I would not say you have a stock shortblock since you opened it up and changed stuff around. I am not ganging up on you because we are both from Milford and drive red L98 C4's, I had this same argument withn a friend of ours about his Buick motor. He claimed a stock shortblock but the car had cam and lifter work done. His car is stupid quick (high 10's) and runs a stock bottom end but IMHO, when you open it up and change the cam, its no longer a stock SB. Either way, your car still hauls serious potatos so I wouldn't worry about it. :chevy
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 26,679
Likes: 17
From: This vette goes to 11 Milford MA
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
Re: What is a short block? (Vic'89)
"Many people say they have a stock short block w/heads and a cam. To me this means that the crank/rods/pistons/bearings have never been disassembled."
See, I would say that it had a stock bottom end, not a stock SB, so I guess there is no definitive answer.
;)
See, I would say that it had a stock bottom end, not a stock SB, so I guess there is no definitive answer.
;)
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 14,267
Likes: 1
From: Plymouth MI Formerly Milford, MA MI
W. Detroit Events Coordinator
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VII Autocross Champ
Re: What is a short block? (Fastguy)
Either way I don't care cause if you have a stock short block than I have a stock short block. I used to say it but got my head biten off many times and stoped :cry
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,724
Likes: 16
From: Little Elm TX
Re: What is a short block? (ChrisB)
Chris & L98Terror,
As far as I'm concerned, you both have stock short blocks.
The cam is typically not included when you say you have a stock short block, even though, technically it is no longer stock.
As said before, it implies that you have not added cubes, and/or rebuilt the short block with performance parts such as forged higher compression pistons... etc...
cheers,
Beach Bum
As far as I'm concerned, you both have stock short blocks.
The cam is typically not included when you say you have a stock short block, even though, technically it is no longer stock.
As said before, it implies that you have not added cubes, and/or rebuilt the short block with performance parts such as forged higher compression pistons... etc...
cheers,
Beach Bum
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski