A coupe of times recently I alluded to - in other threads - that my son and I were about to embark (cool word, huh?) on a project to build in a stroker. I'm going to use the word "stroker" (even though I HATE IT!) because we've yet to decide on what the cubes will turn out to be - at this point.

Anyway, I'd been internet-shopping for a replacement block, in the hope to minimize his car's down-time. a 96 LT1 Vette.

I finally found and bought a block that I felt would fill the bill.

It has already been taken too +.030" and clearanced for a 3.75" stroke; has already had Oliver main caps installed IN ALL FIVE POSITIONS, main studs, and valley smoothed.

Seller - a REALLY nice guy - advertised it as having had it align honed along with all the other normal machine work. Not that I don't believe him - but for MY PEACE OF MIND - I planned from the very beginning (even before I found and bought it) to have it gone over by my preferred machine shop, Reher & Morrison in Arlington, Texas. No surprises!

So after visiting with the seller for a while and going over the block, I drove the 200+ miles to Arlington and spent even MORE time with Reher & Morrison's lead machinist. We went over all the things I'd like checked, his recommendations on what should be done and what my son and I have as expectations once it's making noise.

Too bad it was built for a "F" body because he has some other virtually new parts for sell but which won't fit my "Y" body. Moroso oil pan with matching pickup, 10552 pump and hardened drive rod especially. Stock LT1 intake, Cloyes double roller set, electric W/P all modded (I prefer not to go that route); 3.75 Callies forged crank, etc. I offered to put all that up as a benefit to him. I plan to cut and paste it to the correct board (so the Moderator won't get nervous, LOL).

Anyway, this is going to be a "Father and Son" project, scheduled to begin when Ryan returns from his Army training assignment in VA early next month. In the meantime I'll continue to gather the parts.

Next on my list are the crank, rods and pistons - all forged - the balancing
and final honing to set piston to wall. At that point I'll be verifying the clearances. Partially as a third check but also so I can teach Ryan how and what to do it, including gapping the rings.

Ryan's current engine is going to be cannibalized for some parts - heads, intake, fuel rails, APFR - just to name a few.

I've been running Engine Analyzer Pro for hour after hour trying to get a handle on a new camshaft. I've been playing with the common variables; duration, duration split, LSA, amount of advance (or not) to be ground in, ramp percentage (WHICH I'VE JUST FOUND OUT TO BE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT).

I LOVE doing this stuff so I'm really enjoying it.

I don't mind sharing what I'm doing and why (Private Messages and/or emails is the way I prefer to handle this) but I'm not about to go through what poor PETE K went through recently. I don't have the endless patience he demonstrated. I want to express right now that I'm won't appreciate views from those attempting to super-impose their opinions and views over mine. "Well, I do or would have done it "this" way instead of the way you did/are doing it". Put any comments like that under the heading 'UNAPPRECIATED IN THE EXTREME". My thinking is 'You build your engine your way and I'll build mine my way. '

So, please, respect my wishes on that.

Should the situation arise (which I doubt will) where I want suggestions/recommendations/advice I'll specifically ask - fair enough? I'm going to do the best I can not to though; don't want to open that can of worms by opening that door.

Jake

 

Have fun !!

 

I know what you mean Jake.
Your intention is to share what you are building, rather than seeking advice or correction. This forum is very prone to having "experts" come up and explain what you are doing "wrong".
Please share everything you wish to share, and we can only ask that some learn from it, and not critique it.

 

Jake, I really hope you have better luck then Pete K did on my build. Even with the problems we had it was still alot of fun ..Good Luck with your project.....WW

 

Whenever I visit Reher & Morrison I get a BIG KICK out of seeing all their soldiers sitting on racks in their garage storage area. I didn't count them but there was more eight. 540 was the smallest I saw, all 100% complete and turn-key; ready to fire, all dynoed with all the computer generated spec sheets and power results neatly contained in its individual folder. Each engine is carefully bagged and READY TO GO! Some even with their NOS solenoids mounted, with everything plummed, etc. VERY IMPRESSIVE! I saw ATI SUPERDAMPERS EXCLUSIVELY. Boxes upon boxes of ROSS pistons and, yea, they had pistons in 'em because I checked a few, LOL.

Once inside, I find engine after engine, most were 90%/99% complete (as best I could tell), each sitting proudly on it's own engine stand with every orifice plugged to prevent entry of anything foreign. Friendly folks who'll talk your heads off about engines. Don't mention "valve springs" unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, LOL

Dynos were quiet when I was there though. One of the Techs told me they had two ready to go on today. Sorry I missed that; I love how they light up the Community, LOL

So many trophies on display behind glass cases there's not enough room for even one more. Custom, propriety intake manifolds and pistons displaced. Clean, neat, truly PROFESSIONAL OPERATION.

Did I mention I spent about two hours there? I was like a Kid in a Candy Store, LOL. Had to finally pull up though since I had that long drive back home.

I just had to share my experience.

Jake

 

Seems they all have their, what I call, "Teething Pains", just a matter of degree. Some are worse than others.

I'm use to it though. I do the VERY BEST I CAN, paying Scrupulous Attention to Detail and striving for Perfection, then I go back a fix where I screwed up, LOL

Best Layed Plans of Mice and Men . . ." LOL

Jake

 

Ain't that the truth. It seems like every time I build one, something completely off the wall sneaks by me. Most times very, very minor and easily corrected. The up side is that you learn from it, and never miss that problem in later builds.

 

 

Sounds like you've got a really nice start Jake.

It's been a while now... but I still remember the first engine that I actually built in my fathers shop (with my father's assistance of course).

It's a great experience to be able to have that knowledge passed down - hands on. Just you, your son and a bare block on the engine stand.
Will

 

Good luck with your project. Did the previous owner run out of $$$ or sell the car or ???

 

He switched gears and began devoting his time and money to a Turbo Charged LS2 GTO.

Jake

 

Yep. Last year I taught him how to set lifter preload (I just posted on how I went about that) and this year they'll be a LOT more teaching going on. The BEST way; from square one.

Can't wait until we get to the part of degreeing-in the camshaft, LOL

Jake

 

Should make for some of the best kind of fun, enjoy the time and then the car.

 

 

what cubes are you thinking?

 

It'll depend on the results of the sonic test when it comes to the finished bore diameter. Right now the block's at .030" over. I'll be going with a 4" stroke, so the finished bore is the only variable.

So far EAGLE and LUNATI are the two cranks in the running, but I'm keeping my options open for the time being.

Anyway you slice it it'll be over 400 inches. That's my target range, over 400 inches and is the reason I didn't buy his 3.75" crank yesterday.

Jake

 

I think I will pretend I am your adopted son for this build. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

 

Besides bonding with your son, what is the final goal of the engine. What do you want it to do for the Vette? And are you going to upgrade any of the Vettes drive line etc to accommodate the engine build?

 

Are you staying with the Lt1 block when going to 400 or higher ci?Forced induction on your mind?What hp you hoping for?Is this car going to be stripped inside or just have a bad azz drivetrain?I'm jealousMy vette needs more POWER but no $ still(still laid off).Can't wait for the step by step &/or pics.Oh,is this car a auto?Upgrading anything on drivetrain at same time as engine.You sound like a awesome dad,your son is lucky

 

Can't wait to see how it turns out Jake!