Rebuilding/Upgrading LT4 with 165k
06-25-2009, 02:21 PM
#21
Safety Car
excellent. How are those things balanced ? I understand the front is zero balance. Does it matter in the rear whether one puts a flexplate or flywheel onto it ? i.e. is it balanced specifically for a flywheel, or specifically for a flexplate, or was it factory balanced so that either one will work fine ?
06-25-2009, 03:32 PM
#22
Melting Slicks
06-25-2009, 04:30 PM
#24
Melting Slicks
06-25-2009, 04:56 PM
#25
06-25-2009, 07:57 PM
#26
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '05
L98s didnt make enough rpm to warrant using a 4 bolt...or decent rods...or 
06-25-2009, 08:17 PM
#27
Melting Slicks
So is my LT4. My 86 was not. You need to know when you make statements that allegedly apply to all Corvettes. Perhaps you should not till you know a bit more about them.
Last edited by MK 82; 06-25-2009 at 08:23 PM.
06-25-2009, 08:34 PM
#28
As far as me waiting to write about things until I know more, you can go pound salt on that one. Lots of folks who don't know things write in on here every day - that's what forums are for - learning. If you don't like what I write, just ignore me. Or, waste some more time in picking senseless internet spats !!!!
06-25-2009, 09:31 PM
#30
Melting Slicks
Bob:
I've read with interest the replies you've been getting; some go pretty far afield.
Corvettes are expensive, and (with the exception of an LT5), LT4s are the most expensive of all C4s.
With that said, and your $3,000 budget, let me relate my own experience "refreshing" an LT4 engine which had a bad cam, some bearing damage (but a serviceable crank) and, with similiar (but less) mileage than your engine, which means most everything is worn out, or close enough that replacement made good sense:
(working back in time):
oil temp sensor: $43, napa
air filter: $29, napa
throttle body gasket set: $45, dealer
clutch slave cylinder: $118, kragen
Idle air contgrol valve: $79, kragen
spark plug wire seperators: $21, kragen
PVC hose, grommets, temp sensor, T'sat, etc.: $123, ecklers
alternator connector, distributor wiring harness: $54, corvette central
upper oil pump drive assembly: $150, herronperformance
oil pump relief spring: $23, lingenfelter
water pump drive assembly: $137, vintage parts
oil pump stud: $11, summit
LT4 "Hot Cam" spring set, valve seals: $116, dealer
roller rocker arm (one bad): $85, dealer
oil pump, main bearings, rod bearings, gasket set: $337, summit
water pump, t'stat: $231, lee auto
hydraulic lifter set and crankshaft hub: $451, dealer
Opti spark distributor, plug wires: $442, summit
timing chain, extreme duty: $262, summit
oxygen sensors (four total): $370, kragen
LT4 "Hot Cam": $222, kragen
belt tensioner and belt idler pulley: $78, summit
spark plugs: $40, kragen
fuel filter: $20, kragen
TOTAL: $3,488
no machine work was done and I did all the labor myself
It does not include fluids, it does not include a power steering pump (that failed) and hoses, it does not include replacement of the rear spring which was delaminating and looked like a mad porcupine, it does not include replacing the a/c compressor, clutch and accumulator (which is very expensive and not a do it yourself project); nor does it include replacing the steering rack and tie rod ends ; nor does it include replacing six u joints, or the front brake pads. The steering column and exhaust system were also replaced as was thirty some different suspension bushings.
I am not even mentioning the costs of catalytic converters, since these vary widely; suffice to say they are MUCH more expensive for LT based engines.
I really believe you'll eat up your $3,000 budget in very short order.
LT specific parts are very expensive compared to earlier conventional small block parts; check any catalog.
I repeat my earlier advice; sell your LT4, take the proceeds and your $3,000 budget and fine a clean, low mileage C4 with a conventional small block 350 (up to and including 1991).
best of luck, please let us all know what you decide.
I've read with interest the replies you've been getting; some go pretty far afield.
Corvettes are expensive, and (with the exception of an LT5), LT4s are the most expensive of all C4s.
With that said, and your $3,000 budget, let me relate my own experience "refreshing" an LT4 engine which had a bad cam, some bearing damage (but a serviceable crank) and, with similiar (but less) mileage than your engine, which means most everything is worn out, or close enough that replacement made good sense:
(working back in time):
oil temp sensor: $43, napa
air filter: $29, napa
throttle body gasket set: $45, dealer
clutch slave cylinder: $118, kragen
Idle air contgrol valve: $79, kragen
spark plug wire seperators: $21, kragen
PVC hose, grommets, temp sensor, T'sat, etc.: $123, ecklers
alternator connector, distributor wiring harness: $54, corvette central
upper oil pump drive assembly: $150, herronperformance
oil pump relief spring: $23, lingenfelter
water pump drive assembly: $137, vintage parts
oil pump stud: $11, summit
LT4 "Hot Cam" spring set, valve seals: $116, dealer
roller rocker arm (one bad): $85, dealer
oil pump, main bearings, rod bearings, gasket set: $337, summit
water pump, t'stat: $231, lee auto
hydraulic lifter set and crankshaft hub: $451, dealer
Opti spark distributor, plug wires: $442, summit
timing chain, extreme duty: $262, summit
oxygen sensors (four total): $370, kragen
LT4 "Hot Cam": $222, kragen
belt tensioner and belt idler pulley: $78, summit
spark plugs: $40, kragen
fuel filter: $20, kragen
TOTAL: $3,488
no machine work was done and I did all the labor myself
It does not include fluids, it does not include a power steering pump (that failed) and hoses, it does not include replacement of the rear spring which was delaminating and looked like a mad porcupine, it does not include replacing the a/c compressor, clutch and accumulator (which is very expensive and not a do it yourself project); nor does it include replacing the steering rack and tie rod ends ; nor does it include replacing six u joints, or the front brake pads. The steering column and exhaust system were also replaced as was thirty some different suspension bushings.
I am not even mentioning the costs of catalytic converters, since these vary widely; suffice to say they are MUCH more expensive for LT based engines.
I really believe you'll eat up your $3,000 budget in very short order.
LT specific parts are very expensive compared to earlier conventional small block parts; check any catalog.
I repeat my earlier advice; sell your LT4, take the proceeds and your $3,000 budget and fine a clean, low mileage C4 with a conventional small block 350 (up to and including 1991).
best of luck, please let us all know what you decide.
06-25-2009, 09:37 PM
#32
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