396ci setup. Any Suggestions
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
396ci setup. Any Suggestions
I have a 1992 LT1 with 15,800 miles on it so I'm going to take out the motor and save it. I found a 396ci long block motor. The motor comes with Forged Internals, Comp Cam Lifters, Pushrods, Rocker Arms and Hydraulic Roller Cam, Trick Flow Aluminum Heads, etc
The motor is pushing 520BHP 490lb/ft
http://www.golenengineservice.com/ht...t4.html#LTlong
Then im going to get 42# Bosch Fuel Injectors, Fuel Pressure Regulator, Ported Intake Manifold, 58mm Throttle Body, EM 1 3/4 Longtubes with 3" Cats, 3" B&B exhaust, 2,800 TC, maybe 3.73 gear, Heavy Duty Aluminum Radiator, and PCMFORLESS Chip.
Would i need to upgraded my fuel pump and can my automatic transmission handle more then 500HP?
Do you guys know where i can get a intake manifold? I know Edelbrock makes one but i dont know if it is any good. I dont want to use the one on my motor now but if i have to i would get it ported.
Is there anything else i should get to make it run right and safe and do i have to upgraded any more parts?
Met
The motor is pushing 520BHP 490lb/ft
http://www.golenengineservice.com/ht...t4.html#LTlong
Then im going to get 42# Bosch Fuel Injectors, Fuel Pressure Regulator, Ported Intake Manifold, 58mm Throttle Body, EM 1 3/4 Longtubes with 3" Cats, 3" B&B exhaust, 2,800 TC, maybe 3.73 gear, Heavy Duty Aluminum Radiator, and PCMFORLESS Chip.
Would i need to upgraded my fuel pump and can my automatic transmission handle more then 500HP?
Do you guys know where i can get a intake manifold? I know Edelbrock makes one but i dont know if it is any good. I dont want to use the one on my motor now but if i have to i would get it ported.
Is there anything else i should get to make it run right and safe and do i have to upgraded any more parts?
Met
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 37
I don't know whether or not a stock 1992 transmission comes with a BEAST SHELL, or not. But that is a weak part of the transmission. I also know that the transmission pump doesn't like to to see more than 6500rpms. Hardened pump vanes would solve that problem. (Pete K advisement). Hardened pump vanes are inexpensive.
Sounds like a nice strong package you are setting up there on a low mileage vette.
Sounds like a nice strong package you are setting up there on a low mileage vette.
I have a 1992 LT1 with 15,800 miles on it so I'm going to take out the motor and save it. I found a 396ci long block motor. The motor comes with Forged Internals, Comp Cam Lifters, Pushrods, Rocker Arms and Hydraulic Roller Cam, Trick Flow Aluminum Heads, etc
The motor is pushing 520BHP 490lb/ft
http://www.golenengineservice.com/ht...t4.html#LTlong
Then im going to get 42# Bosch Fuel Injectors, Fuel Pressure Regulator, Ported Intake Manifold, 58mm Throttle Body, EM 1 3/4 Longtubes with 3" Cats, 3" B&B exhaust, 2,800 TC, maybe 3.73 gear, Heavy Duty Aluminum Radiator, and PCMFORLESS Chip.
Would i need to upgraded my fuel pump and can my automatic transmission handle more then 500HP?
Do you guys know where i can get a intake manifold? I know Edelbrock makes one but i dont know if it is any good. I dont want to use the one on my motor now but if i have to i would get it ported.
Is there anything else i should get to make it run right and safe and do i have to upgraded any more parts?
Met
The motor is pushing 520BHP 490lb/ft
http://www.golenengineservice.com/ht...t4.html#LTlong
Then im going to get 42# Bosch Fuel Injectors, Fuel Pressure Regulator, Ported Intake Manifold, 58mm Throttle Body, EM 1 3/4 Longtubes with 3" Cats, 3" B&B exhaust, 2,800 TC, maybe 3.73 gear, Heavy Duty Aluminum Radiator, and PCMFORLESS Chip.
Would i need to upgraded my fuel pump and can my automatic transmission handle more then 500HP?
Do you guys know where i can get a intake manifold? I know Edelbrock makes one but i dont know if it is any good. I dont want to use the one on my motor now but if i have to i would get it ported.
Is there anything else i should get to make it run right and safe and do i have to upgraded any more parts?
Met
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
Met
Yes you need to upgrade the fuel pump. I have a pump/package from Racetronix in my 92. Racetronix is a forum sponsor here and their pump is a 255LPH Warboro that bolts right in.
You can typically find intakes on Ebay, and here in the classifieds. The Elbebrock offers no real advantage over a stock GM one excpet they offer one with the LT4 raised intake ports (you can't get a GM LT4 intake anymore).
Definatly PM PeteK here on the forum and ask him about the 4L60 tranny and a stall converter. He is the man on them. It will need alot of work to stand up to a 500HP motor.
I's also suggest you look for a Dana44 rearend from a 6spd car, instead of wasting money on the stock Dana36 your automatic car has. If you get it hooked up the Dana36 won't last long.
It's going to be tough to put 3" cats on an automatic car. Not saying it can't be done but the pan dosen't leave much room in the tunnel for 3" exhaust.
good luck
Will
Yes you need to upgrade the fuel pump. I have a pump/package from Racetronix in my 92. Racetronix is a forum sponsor here and their pump is a 255LPH Warboro that bolts right in.
You can typically find intakes on Ebay, and here in the classifieds. The Elbebrock offers no real advantage over a stock GM one excpet they offer one with the LT4 raised intake ports (you can't get a GM LT4 intake anymore).
Definatly PM PeteK here on the forum and ask him about the 4L60 tranny and a stall converter. He is the man on them. It will need alot of work to stand up to a 500HP motor.
I's also suggest you look for a Dana44 rearend from a 6spd car, instead of wasting money on the stock Dana36 your automatic car has. If you get it hooked up the Dana36 won't last long.
It's going to be tough to put 3" cats on an automatic car. Not saying it can't be done but the pan dosen't leave much room in the tunnel for 3" exhaust.
good luck
Will
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Met
Yes you need to upgrade the fuel pump. I have a pump/package from Racetronix in my 92. Racetronix is a forum sponsor here and their pump is a 255LPH Warboro that bolts right in.
You can typically find intakes on Ebay, and here in the classifieds. The Elbebrock offers no real advantage over a stock GM one excpet they offer one with the LT4 raised intake ports (you can't get a GM LT4 intake anymore).
Definatly PM PeteK here on the forum and ask him about the 4L60 tranny and a stall converter. He is the man on them. It will need alot of work to stand up to a 500HP motor.
I's also suggest you look for a Dana44 rearend from a 6spd car, instead of wasting money on the stock Dana36 your automatic car has. If you get it hooked up the Dana36 won't last long.
It's going to be tough to put 3" cats on an automatic car. Not saying it can't be done but the pan dosen't leave much room in the tunnel for 3" exhaust.
good luck
Will
Yes you need to upgrade the fuel pump. I have a pump/package from Racetronix in my 92. Racetronix is a forum sponsor here and their pump is a 255LPH Warboro that bolts right in.
You can typically find intakes on Ebay, and here in the classifieds. The Elbebrock offers no real advantage over a stock GM one excpet they offer one with the LT4 raised intake ports (you can't get a GM LT4 intake anymore).
Definatly PM PeteK here on the forum and ask him about the 4L60 tranny and a stall converter. He is the man on them. It will need alot of work to stand up to a 500HP motor.
I's also suggest you look for a Dana44 rearend from a 6spd car, instead of wasting money on the stock Dana36 your automatic car has. If you get it hooked up the Dana36 won't last long.
It's going to be tough to put 3" cats on an automatic car. Not saying it can't be done but the pan dosen't leave much room in the tunnel for 3" exhaust.
good luck
Will
When you got your fuel pump kit you had to get the fuel pump harness upgrade system to right?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 3
From: The Motor City
yes to all, trans should be re-built (beast shell was never stock to my knowledge), wide band, shell, etc. are usually a good place to start....and Pete does know his sheet. I would also consider upgrading the converter and a trans cooler. Bosch also makes a very good intank that will support your needs, and a good 3" aftermarket sytem/cats etc. will clear trans etc. Other things would be to seek out a good tuner, and dozens of little ("while your in there") things too many to mention.
Last edited by mseven; Jan 2, 2009 at 10:52 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
Yes I did. I have way more HP than you thou.
Replacing the entire harness is not necessary if your under 450-460RWHP. A friend of mine here on the board, Noland (blackharleyman), has a 383LT4 I built for him earlier this year. He is pushing over 420RWHP (530HP@the crank) with just a Warboro 255LPH pump and the stock harness.
Also when his car was being tuned, he orginally tried to keep the stock pump. The first pull where his motor went over 400RWHP, it went lean on the stock pump and caused a boat load of tuning issues until we changed the pump out.
The reason I mentioned Racetronics is because mine plugged right in, everything was a perfect fit, but Noland bought his Warboro pump from somewheree else and we had to modify the harness connector in the tank so it would fit.
Will
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,933
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
One more thing with that engine. Golen uses low tension oil rings, and you will use oil and have blow by. Quite a few members who have doen 383/396's with low tension oil rings use a quart bewtween 250 - 750 miles. I highly recommend buying new oil rings and replacing them with STD since you have the engine out of vehicle. Just my 2 cents worth.
And PeteK will do you right on the transmission. My 93 4L60/700R has been rebuilt 3 times due to my 396LT1 with only 425 rwhp.
And PeteK will do you right on the transmission. My 93 4L60/700R has been rebuilt 3 times due to my 396LT1 with only 425 rwhp.
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
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 7,339
Likes: 137
From: WilkesBarre PA
I run the Racetronix pump/harness kit with my 396 with no problems. I also run #30 Motorsport injectors, and have a mail tune from Ed Write. I use a ported Edelbrock LT4 intake, which I'm not sure helped anymore than the ported stock one I had on.
Since I've put the motor in 5 years now I have broke almost everything behind the motor. 1-ZF 6-speed, a few clutchs/pressure plates, halfshafts, spindles, u-joints, posi's, gears, and the last one was a "built 700r4". Find a good builder for that, I thought I did
Pete doesn't have time anymore otherwise I would of asked to him build it.
If you plan on racing at a track with sticky tires you WILL need to upgrade the tranny and rear at a minimum. If you just drive normally on the street they may last.
Since I've put the motor in 5 years now I have broke almost everything behind the motor. 1-ZF 6-speed, a few clutchs/pressure plates, halfshafts, spindles, u-joints, posi's, gears, and the last one was a "built 700r4". Find a good builder for that, I thought I did
Pete doesn't have time anymore otherwise I would of asked to him build it.If you plan on racing at a track with sticky tires you WILL need to upgrade the tranny and rear at a minimum. If you just drive normally on the street they may last.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,679
Likes: 1
From: South Amboy NJ
Stay as far away from Golen as possible. He built my 396 that I got 500 easy street miles out of. When it ate itself; what warranty?
Find a good local builder and go that route. It will be the same cost wise and you'll be dealing with someone local.
Find a good local builder and go that route. It will be the same cost wise and you'll be dealing with someone local.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,856
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Good parts, put together wrong.
The local racers up at NED all stay away, that's why they sell online.