C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

GM Bare Block for Build?

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Old Sep 22, 2007 | 01:09 PM
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Default GM Bare Block for Build?

I think Im gonna go with a GM parts direct bare 350 block to start my build. Would there be any differenced between these and a stock L98? Does anyone happen to know if these can be bought new from GM bored .30 over?
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Old Sep 22, 2007 | 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by vettebyrd
I think Im gonna go with a GM parts direct bare 350 block to start my build. Would there be any differenced between these and a stock L98? Does anyone happen to know if these can be bought new from GM bored .30 over?
GM makes just what you need: If you get the 1 Piece Rear main seal block, setup for the factory roller cam, it is better than the L98 block and is a 4 bolt. The 4 bolt mains are really the only difference over a late L98 block, but is still a significant improvement. Don't buy the 2 piece rear main seal replacement block, it is not a quality piece. No, GM does not sell one bored .030 over.

Last edited by Mr6spd; Sep 23, 2007 at 08:25 PM.
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Old Sep 22, 2007 | 03:32 PM
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About what should I expect to pay to have the block bored .30 over and set up so I can build a 383?
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Old Sep 22, 2007 | 03:41 PM
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Why do you want to bore a brand new block .030?

Paul
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Old Sep 22, 2007 | 04:02 PM
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There is a site on the internet that sells cncd blocks that are all ready machined for making a 383 they are one piece rear main seal roller blocks. but I dont think I am supposed to mention that site here
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Old Sep 22, 2007 | 04:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr6spd
If you get the 1 Piece Rear main seal block, setup for the factory roller cam, it is better than the L98 block and is a 4 bolt.
The L98 block IS a one piece rear main seal block from 1986 and up. The 1987 and up L98 used the roller cam. So unless some particular block has 4 bolt mains, the one piece rear main seal block ISN'T better than most L98 blocks.

Why on earth would you want to pay to throw away .030" worth of wear surface, cylinder wall strength, heat dissipation capability, and/or meat for a future overhaul, by boring a brand new block .030" over sized? For the silly 6, or so, cubic inches???

RACE ON!!!
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Old Sep 22, 2007 | 05:14 PM
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Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
The L98 block IS a one piece rear main seal block from 1986 and up. The 1987 and up L98 used the roller cam. So unless some particular block has 4 bolt mains, the one piece rear main seal block ISN'T better than most L98 blocks.

Why on earth would you want to pay to throw away .030" worth of wear surface, cylinder wall strength, heat dissipation capability, and/or meat for a future overhaul, by boring a brand new block .030" over sized? For the silly 6, or so, cubic inches???

RACE ON!!!
I'm thinking stroker??
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Old Sep 22, 2007 | 05:18 PM
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Yea I was thinking 355 or 383 build but I guess I shouldnt bother. I plan on building a 350 with forged internals and an lt1 intake swap. I also want to swap my 4+3 for a zf6. I want at least 400rwhp.
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Old Sep 22, 2007 | 10:10 PM
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Ok... actually a "seasoned" (used) block is better. It's gone through many heat cycles, and the metal has stableized. You over-bore a used block to obtain a fresh cylinder surface and correct for wear, scratches and stuff. It sounds like you don't have a lot of experience with building motors, so unless you're really wanting to get into it , I'd suggest a rebuilt 383 short or long block(with heads).

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Old Sep 22, 2007 | 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by vettebyrd
About what should I expect to pay to have the block bored .30 over and set up so I can build a 383?
$150-$200 is the typical charge to bore and hone(with torque plates)
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Curveit
Ok... actually a "seasoned" (used) block is better. It's gone through many heat cycles, and the metal has stablized. You over-bore a used block to obtain a fresh cylinder surface and correct for wear, scratches and stuff.


... [erroneous information removed]

When building a street motor on a budget, go with a good "seasoned" used block if you can.

Last edited by TheCorvetteKid; Sep 25, 2007 at 10:41 PM.
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by staugur
I'm thinking stroker??
And your point is??? Are you saying a standard bore block can't be stroked?

A 350, stock stroke, plus stock 4.00" bore = 350 cid.
A 350, stock stroke, plus .030" overbore = 355 cid.
A 350, with a 3.75" stroke, plus stock 4.00" bore = 377.
A 350, with a 3.75" stroke, plus .030" overbore = 383.

With a stock stroke the .030" over bore gives you 5 cid. With the stroker crank it gives you 6. As I said, "Why on earth would you want to pay to throw away .030" worth of wear surface, cylinder wall strength, heat dissipation capability, and/or meat for a future overhaul, by boring a brand new block .030" over sized? For the silly 6, or so, cubic inches???"



Originally Posted by TheCorvetteKid
Over-boring also corrects for any minor core-shift in the block too.
Wrong! When the core shifts during the casting process, it is the outer diameter of the cylinder walls that are affected. When the core shifts the cylinder walls are less uniform in thickness all around their diameter. Boring only makes the already thin spots, thinner. That is why, for a maximum overbore, the block should be checked for cylinder wall thickness. The all too common core shift could render the block useless after boring.

RACE ON!!!
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 01:27 PM
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Hay VETtBYRD! Do yourself a favor and get a GM Performance Catalog at your local Chevy dealer. They show all the blocks that are availabe. If it were me I would buy the GM 383 short block and go from there. If you got the bucks, the 383 crate engine is hard to beat. But if you want to do it the hard way, they must list 30 different configurations of blocks, including the 400cid block. I personally built a 400 a few years ago and installed it in my 87 coupe. Nice engine. Has about 500 HP.
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 02:53 PM
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I was thinking shortblock but I really wanted forged internals and I havent seen any GM engines with forged internals. THough a GM shortblock is still an option.
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 02:57 PM
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I thought my 85 vette motor was considered a l98 and it is a two piece rear main seal.And its not factory roller

Last edited by steven mack; Sep 23, 2007 at 03:02 PM. Reason: add info
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 05:23 PM
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Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
Wrong! When the core shifts during the casting process, it is the outer diameter of the cylinder walls that are affected.
So you're saying that absolutely no core shift occurs after a block is cast, despite who many times it may have been heat-cycled?

Last edited by TheCorvetteKid; Sep 23, 2007 at 06:44 PM.
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 06:09 PM
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[QUOTE=CFI-EFI;1562026345]And your point is??? Are you saying a standard bore block can't be stroked

No. I'm saying that when i read something like that,written by someone who apparently is not that knowledgeable, I assumed he was thinking 383 as 30 thou' over is a start point.Two posts later I was proved right.You really have a way about you that gets peoples backs up for no reason.
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 06:22 PM
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Some deliver the message with a Coke and a smile, and others with a claw hammer.

At least the mesage is good.
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 08:01 PM
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Originally Posted by TheCorvetteKid
So you're saying that absolutely no core shift occurs after a block is cast, despite who many times it may have been heat-cycled?
Virtually none. Maybe a few millionths. Even if it it did, how would, "Over-boring also corrects for any minor core-shift in the block too." Core shift affects the OD of the cylinder. When you bore, you are boring the ID. Boring has no effect on core shift. Once it's cast, the core pretty much stays, where it was put.

RACE ON!!!
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 08:41 PM
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Some deliver the message with a Coke and a smile, and others with a claw hammer.

At least the mesage is good.
And bogus isn't the only one with bogus posts.



Originally Posted by staugur
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
Why on earth would you want to pay to throw away .030" worth of wear surface, cylinder wall strength, heat dissipation capability, and/or meat for a future overhaul, by boring a brand new block .030" over sized? For the silly 6, or so, cubic inches???

RACE ON!!!
I'm thinking stroker??
That makes it sound as though you are saying that in order to stroke, you have to start with a .030" overbore. Since that isn't correct, I pointed out how it doesn't have to be.
Originally Posted by staugur
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
And your point is??? Are you saying a standard bore block can't be stroked
No. I'm saying that when i read something like that,written by someone who apparently is not that knowledgeable, I assumed he was thinking 383 as 30 thou' over is a start point.Two posts later I was proved right.You really have a way about you that gets peoples backs up for no reason.
So if he sounds like he doesn't know what he's talking about you feel obligated to further confuse him with falsehoods?



Originally Posted by vettebyrd
Yea I was thinking 355 or 383 build but I guess I shouldnt bother.
So now you are saying a 355 is a stroker? So two posts later you feel him referring to a 355[/I]" proves you were right in saying, "I was thinking stroker"? You really have a way about you that gets peoples backs up when you make such a big fuss over being corrected.

RACE ON!!!
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