Installing the 421.....
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,749
Likes: 41
Installing the 421.....
Finally this is the weekend that the stock 350 is coming out, and the 421 is going in.
The car certainly won't be fully tuned this weekend, and I doubt I will be driving it, as there is alot of work to be done. I will be installing the FAST system (prob not this weekend) as well to fully optimize the tuning capability of the car.
I called Jim last night and advised him what is happening this weekend, and he was excited as well. He commented that "this will be the last time you hear that 350 start up, but you will forget all about it when you hear the 421 idle".
The 421 is in the crate at the shop, and my parts bin is all gathered up. It's amazing how many go fast parts I have accumulated over the past 2 years to get the project to where it is today.
I will take some pictures along the way for chits and giggles.
Wish me luck!
The car certainly won't be fully tuned this weekend, and I doubt I will be driving it, as there is alot of work to be done. I will be installing the FAST system (prob not this weekend) as well to fully optimize the tuning capability of the car.
I called Jim last night and advised him what is happening this weekend, and he was excited as well. He commented that "this will be the last time you hear that 350 start up, but you will forget all about it when you hear the 421 idle".
The 421 is in the crate at the shop, and my parts bin is all gathered up. It's amazing how many go fast parts I have accumulated over the past 2 years to get the project to where it is today.
I will take some pictures along the way for chits and giggles.
Wish me luck!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,749
Likes: 41
All in all the motor swap went well. We did have a few hiccups along the way, but the bigstuff that we needed to borrow the hoist is complete.
The 421 and the tranny is all buttoned up. The pulleys, waterpump, air conditioning will be done in my garage at my time. We did not get to wiring the FAST system yet, but that will come after I take the dash out, and all the other stuff is done. I still need to order a few small parts in regards to completely finishing the motor install.
I didn't realize how much work it was to install and take out a motor in a C4. I am really lucky that my buddy knows his stuff, because I would of been lost.
Anyways. Here are a few pictures of the transformation of the 421. I mentioned to my buddy that the compression ratio is 11.6:1, and he said "this is a race engine, not a street engine", lol. I was telling him that it's just going to be a grocery getter.
Time will tell what power it will make, but too be honest, I will be happy with whatever it makes.
The first pictures shows the last ride in the stock L-98. I spoke to my engine builder Jim who is a member on this forum. He said to me the other night "that will be the last time you hear the L-98 start, but don't worry after you start the 421, you will forget all about 350's".
Take care guys!
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap001.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap002.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap003.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap004.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap005.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap008.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap014.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap012.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap015.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap016.jpg
The 421 and the tranny is all buttoned up. The pulleys, waterpump, air conditioning will be done in my garage at my time. We did not get to wiring the FAST system yet, but that will come after I take the dash out, and all the other stuff is done. I still need to order a few small parts in regards to completely finishing the motor install.
I didn't realize how much work it was to install and take out a motor in a C4. I am really lucky that my buddy knows his stuff, because I would of been lost.
Anyways. Here are a few pictures of the transformation of the 421. I mentioned to my buddy that the compression ratio is 11.6:1, and he said "this is a race engine, not a street engine", lol. I was telling him that it's just going to be a grocery getter.
Time will tell what power it will make, but too be honest, I will be happy with whatever it makes.
The first pictures shows the last ride in the stock L-98. I spoke to my engine builder Jim who is a member on this forum. He said to me the other night "that will be the last time you hear the L-98 start, but don't worry after you start the 421, you will forget all about 350's".
Take care guys!
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap001.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap002.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap003.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap004.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap005.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap008.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap014.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap012.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap015.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...421swap016.jpg
Last edited by 88BlackZ-51; Jul 26, 2009 at 11:15 PM.
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Looking forward to the end result! Are you sticking with the 4+3 for now or did you end up getting another transmission?
Ever consider just using the stock ecm?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,749
Likes: 41
This wasn't my overall plan, but it is what it is.....
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,749
Likes: 41
All things happen with time. I could of built a 383 2 yrs ago, but I held out and built the 421.
Ron, I have a feeling that this combo would not be easily tuned with the stock ecm. Guys have issues tuning a 383 with a small cam with the stock ecm, and from what Jim mentioned it would of been short of impossible to get the tune bang on. My cam is a 236/242 with lift in the .600 range.
Hence why I went with the FAST Classic.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,551
Likes: 36
From: Jenks OK
I hear ya, I keep going back and forth on if I should get a beefier transmission first then build a big motor, or if I should get the big motor and see how long it takes for me to demolish my 4+3.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,846
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Plenty of guys have hot strokers up to 400ci and more with the stocker just gotta know what youre doing and spend the time. Now Im sure the FAST may have better features, just saying its not impossible....
The 408 I just did (with wilder cam timing) will be tuned with a stock ECM. Do what you think is best, Im sure Jim knows whats going on as he does it for a living. Keep us posted.
The 408 I just did (with wilder cam timing) will be tuned with a stock ECM. Do what you think is best, Im sure Jim knows whats going on as he does it for a living. Keep us posted.