Some of you know, I finally decided to take on the task of dropping in a motor in my 88 Z-51 this coming summer. Jim "tpi421vette" is building the motor, and he is going to have it shipped to my area for pick-up.

I decided not to build the 383, and decided to go with 38 more cubic inches, and 71 more cubic inches then stock. After having some discussion with Jim, I came to the conclusion that a mild 421 would be the way to go. Yes, I could of went bigger, and yes I could of went smaller, but given Jim's experience with building motor such as these, I thought it was a "slamdunk". My goal with this project is to have a engine that has great street manners, good dependability, and something I could drive to Bowling Green without wearing a "gas mask", and something that doesnt need to be reved to 6800 to make good horsepower.

I also want something that doesn't have a crazy choppy idle, and something that my wife will want to ride in. And one of the most important things is tuneabillity. Jim recommended the cam below. I know it's probably not the best cam for hp/tq, but it will do the job!

I am also getting smarter in my old age, I decided to go with a F.A.S.T. system. I think this is probably the smartest thing that I have decided to do. I really dont want to rely on the postal service for shipping back and forth chips. Does it cost more? Up front it does, but I think the cost with chips, and dyno time, I will end up saving money in the long run. And I also might mention the F.A.S.T. will tune for NOS if I ever go that route.

My exhaust is allready set up for a big stroker. I knew eventually I would do a motor, so last year I went with a full 3 inch dual, B&B system with 2 high flow 3 inch cats. Not to mention it sounds great, and looks even better. We are looking to make power to 6000 rpm's.

The tires on the car incase you are wondering are Falcon RT/615's with 315/30/18 on the rear.

Next is the heart of the entire package, and that's the 421! Below is a list of the components in the motor. I received a deal on some of the parts from Jim, so this isnt costing much more then a 383.


-4 Bolt Bowtie block. Bigbore. 4.155". The deck surfaces are thicker than production block, 1 piece rear main seal.

-AFR 195cc "Eliminator heads". 65cc. At .600 lift they flowed 286/218.

-11.3 CR
4.155x3.875,
65cc chambers,
5cc piston releifs,
.041 gasket,
.020 deck height.

-Callies "Compstar" Crank. 4340 forged.

-JE Pistons JE#103742 solid dome.

-Crower Rods #SSP93302 with 7/16" bolts.

-TPIS Miniram 2, Lightly ported.

-Comp Cam Hyd.Roller, 230/230, .597 with 1.6's, on a 114 lobe sep.


Well that's about it for now. Also remember this is a motor that will probably pass emmissions. The performance goals for the car will be to trap in the 120's somewhere n/a, and dyno in the area of 435rwhp/455rwtq (approx 515hp, and 535 tq at the crank), and most of all be really fun to drive!! I am not going to break any records, but for the guys who are thinking of a 383, give a thought to the 421.

"No substitute for cubic inches", and "No replacement for displacement". Have to have fun with this. I can't wait to feel the power under the curve. "Should" be faster then my stock L-98.

 

I can't wait to see it completed.

Do you have all those parts or is that what you will have?
I know you have some/most of them.

When do you think it will show up, ready to drop in your car?

 

Between Jim and myself, we have all those parts. I need to ship my parts to him very soon. Jeff, Let's hope for June'ish.

 

Do you expect to have it on the road by early summer?

 

I hope its ready to roll by the end of June Jim. I am hoping the F.A.S.T. system will get the tune right on.

 

I have a 406 making similar horsepower, your going to love it. One thing I can tell you is that with street tires you can break them loose at will. The cam is going to make good horsepower and torque, I have 315s and you will have more torque than you can imagine. There is no replacement for displacement. I am using a stand alone fuel injection system, and it was the best thing I did.

Wayne

 

Glad to hear Wayne. I was told by a few guys to get a stand alone system for tuning. I finally decided to take the plunge.

 

I'm excited for you Rick! Just wait.......... your grin is gonna be from ear to ear! It's really cool when you just give it a little more throttle than normal and they break loose

Having been through it myself I concur......if there's any way at all a guy could afford a 400 based build, I'd recommend it If you need a startup tune, I'm sure there's plenty of us that would be willing to e-mail you a bin (but would it load into the fast program?)

 

Wicked sounding build. I'm thinking of doing something similar and I keep going back and forth on a 383 and a 421... I'll be

 

Thats the same crank I went with, and that the only part I chose that my picky machinist actually liked and didn't need to "correct" right out of the box.

Good luck with your build, sounds like a fun motor.

 

Congrats!

 

That's good news. Wasn't a cheap crank, but I am hoping well worth the price.

 

There are enough folks on here running FAST, that an initial tune will not be hard to find. Now the cost of the required sync or IP distributor is up to the OP.

What generation of FAST? XFI or previous?
Aaron

 

434 Rick.

 

Sounds awesome Rick.

Can't beat displacement that's for sure.

I know when my father, open's up his 455 olds there's not much a tire

can do but cry.

Wish I could try that swap one day in my C4.

Finish on the car looks sweet too.

 

F.A.S.T. classic. I am purchasing it from SEEYAAA.

 

With the 195 eliminator's. I dont think a 434 is needed Richy Rich!

 

I believe in those cubic inch gods also! Mine is a 406, but i had a pontiac 421 & 428 in the past in my GTO's but i think the 421 is "DA BOMB"! i might be swinging towards the new Edelbrock blower that can bolt on a 10:1 compression motor. (the looks are hard to beat!)

 

You make a very smart move! 400+ motors are incredible and no comparison to ones smaller. Just be careful with it until you get used to it......and once you get used to it...be even more careful because they have a LOT of power.

Two things...I would if I were you get the AFR 220 heads - or if you can swing the cost the Brodix heads that we are running. Both will increase your power substantially and still be too small for the motor. The 195s are going to be way too small and really limit potential power. And the bigger ones will not hurt driveability one bit. Take it from someone that has been there on several 400+ builds.

Secondly I would increase your cam size, again these motors like AIR. The TPIS cam 242/242 would be a good starting point for you....and again lots of people like 85vet, Ralph, Corkvette, My 406 motor, etc. It is a good all around cam.

Good luck with your build. I am sure it will be a good runner

 

The problem is that Rick has to pass smog where he lives. He would definitely benefit from the larger heads. But with the 195s that he has that thing is going to be a torque monster. It will however be a bit limited in power but it will still be a substaintial improvement over what he had. I am not sure if the 230 cam will pass smog for him up there, historically they will not.