Engine Mods yes or no
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 0
From: Strongsville Ohio
Engine Mods yes or no
Well I have been over posting here this last week. I pulled my motor to mainly fix my leaking seals and thought maybe I would rebuild the motor. But after seeing how confusing and crazy things can get with prices and parts, I may just let it blow up before going internal and breaking bank.
So my question is, what internal parts can be replaced that I don't have to have done by someone else or check for clearance or check for roundness ect.
Are roller rockers something I can throw in my motor and not worry about something new going in with something old? I would love a cam but you guys said a new cam with old internals is not good. is there any other parts internally that I can put in and not worry about my old parts not matching ?
So my question is, what internal parts can be replaced that I don't have to have done by someone else or check for clearance or check for roundness ect.
Are roller rockers something I can throw in my motor and not worry about something new going in with something old? I would love a cam but you guys said a new cam with old internals is not good. is there any other parts internally that I can put in and not worry about my old parts not matching ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
Going to 1.6 roller rockers would be a easy addition. If you are worried about the internals, I would do a compression test. The compression should be about 5+ pounds between cylinders to be considered good. About 150 psi. The other deciding factor to consider would be the mileage on the engine. As far as the other internals, if the compression is good, you can add a cam, just don't go crazy with lift. You can really add power with a good set of heads. Again, consider the mileage, you don't want to put on a set of heads that ups your compression more than your current setup. If you do, this puts added pressure on the rings....that will be the next to go especially with some miles on the motor.
You might want to read Vader86's web page about what works with the L98 engines.
You might want to read Vader86's web page about what works with the L98 engines.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 0
From: Strongsville Ohio
well I have a 94 which is the LT1 and I have 187k on the stock original motor. I would love a cam. Roller rockers would be cool too. So I should have the motor checked out first?
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 3
From: Carmichael ca
With that many miles on it I wouldn't put it back in without rebuilding it. As far as mods go, it depends on your budget. I would at least get it balanced and use forged pistons. This will give you a good foundation for further mods later.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
Danger Will Robinson, Danger, QUICKSAND. Doing mods is just like stepping in quicksand. First it's feet, then knees chest then over your head. Same with mods, a little here, a little there a tad more here and soon you have a ton of money invested in an engine that is most likely far more temperamental and less reliable than the OEM one that had power you rarely used or needed. Assuming you have reasonable cylinder pressures ( as described) your rings are still doing their job. With the pan off replacing both rod and main bearings is no big chore and not costly. Do that plus new seals and you should have many many more trouble free miles and smiles while you save bucks for whatever mods that are in your future. My nickles worth.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 0
From: Strongsville Ohio
well I just got back form visiting the shop I use here in NC. I am having my whole motor top to bottom rebuilt. He said it will run me $ 1,900 which I know is a great deal. Everything but heads is going in. Bearings, seals, gaskets, valves, springs, rods ect. I am going to go with a mild cam if he thinks its a good idea and the motor will be ok with it. I will post back in a couple days to let you all know exactly whats going in and how the motor is.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
well I just got back form visiting the shop I use here in NC. I am having my whole motor top to bottom rebuilt. He said it will run me $ 1,900 which I know is a great deal. Everything but heads is going in. Bearings, seals, gaskets, valves, springs, rods ect. I am going to go with a mild cam if he thinks its a good idea and the motor will be ok with it. I will post back in a couple days to let you all know exactly whats going in and how the motor is.
I would put a cam in it.. why not take advantage of the build.
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Centennial Colorado
There is no better time than now to check out the radiator and be certain that it is clean (inside and out), and not leaking.
But I have to agree that Muffin is absolutely correct. I am having my 96CE LT4 rebuilt as a street monster. There really is no end to the clever (and absolutely necessary
) modifications you really NEED in order to make it your dream car. Take it from a Corvette customizing addict. I have heard that the best definition of "Corvette" is an amazing machine into which you pour money, and which in return gives you endless smiles.
When I get my car back, it will be well beyond the wildest dreams of the Corvette design team back in 1996. And I will have spent more on it than I did for my first house back in 1976. It will be one-of-a-kind with horsepower and torque on par with the latest ZR1 model. The shop tells me it will be capable of high 10-second runs.
In the end, you will be happy that you gave the engine a new life.
It's your car. Make it yours.
Jay
But I have to agree that Muffin is absolutely correct. I am having my 96CE LT4 rebuilt as a street monster. There really is no end to the clever (and absolutely necessary
) modifications you really NEED in order to make it your dream car. Take it from a Corvette customizing addict. I have heard that the best definition of "Corvette" is an amazing machine into which you pour money, and which in return gives you endless smiles. When I get my car back, it will be well beyond the wildest dreams of the Corvette design team back in 1996. And I will have spent more on it than I did for my first house back in 1976. It will be one-of-a-kind with horsepower and torque on par with the latest ZR1 model. The shop tells me it will be capable of high 10-second runs.
In the end, you will be happy that you gave the engine a new life.
It's your car. Make it yours.
Jay
Last edited by Legal-Eagle; Dec 2, 2010 at 10:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 0
From: Strongsville Ohio
Well after deciding to even start this project the first thing I did to start it was remove my hood. THEN take out my radiator. It was a mess and have about 30 leaves in there. A tun of teeth are bent too !!..
I just got the OK from my dad to get the motor rebuilt.
I just got the OK from my dad to get the motor rebuilt.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
Ok, just my two cents... But you've gone 180k miles on that car, so you must appreciate a car that can rack up the miles like that. And people are saying that mods on high miles = no-no. To me that would suggest mods on low/no miles = not likely to make it to high miles.
If you put the time and money in to rebuild the thing back to new, wouldn't you want it to be able to go another 180k miles when you are done? Why not freshen it up, drop it back in there, and go enjoy the hell out of it just like you've done until now?
If you put the time and money in to rebuild the thing back to new, wouldn't you want it to be able to go another 180k miles when you are done? Why not freshen it up, drop it back in there, and go enjoy the hell out of it just like you've done until now?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 0
From: Strongsville Ohio
So your saying If I rebuild it I should not go with mods so it will last just as long as the stock block did?
I don't really care for bigger heads, rockers ect..I mean ya it would be nice but I really just want a rebuild stock build plus a cam..Is this not a good idea?
I don't really care for bigger heads, rockers ect..I mean ya it would be nice but I really just want a rebuild stock build plus a cam..Is this not a good idea?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
So your saying If I rebuild it I should not go with mods so it will last just as long as the stock block did?
I don't really care for bigger heads, rockers ect..I mean ya it would be nice but I really just want a rebuild stock build plus a cam..Is this not a good idea?
I don't really care for bigger heads, rockers ect..I mean ya it would be nice but I really just want a rebuild stock build plus a cam..Is this not a good idea?
Unless maybe you go turbo and sprayed monster
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 0
From: Strongsville Ohio
haha I wish. I would got Nos but just to purge and scare people. I have other things to fix on this car so I can't spend BIG money on the motor. ( clutch, flywheel, radiator, new gears ( 4.10s are whinning) hoses, broken thigns here and there, heater core ect)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
So your saying If I rebuild it I should not go with mods so it will last just as long as the stock block did?
I don't really care for bigger heads, rockers ect..I mean ya it would be nice but I really just want a rebuild stock build plus a cam..Is this not a good idea?
I don't really care for bigger heads, rockers ect..I mean ya it would be nice but I really just want a rebuild stock build plus a cam..Is this not a good idea?
Anything is a good idea, if it accomplishes what you want out of it. If you want more pep, I'm sure a cam would add some.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 0
From: Strongsville Ohio
well I have 187k on stock original everything in and on the motor. So just injectors alone I will be able to tell a diff. so I am keeping it a stock rebuild. If I get a cam sweet, if not not big deal. Thanks for the advice guys and comments. No offense taken on any comments !
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
Likes: 85
From: O'Fallon Missouri
To get the most out of even a small camshaft you should get a good set of roller rockers and matching valve spring.
The camshaft setup gets my vote. But, with your 6 speed and 4.11's I would go with a little more than a mild camshaft. Comp Cams 503 would be my suggestion.
The camshaft setup gets my vote. But, with your 6 speed and 4.11's I would go with a little more than a mild camshaft. Comp Cams 503 would be my suggestion.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
To get the most out of even a small camshaft you should get a good set of roller rockers and matching valve spring.
The camshaft setup gets my vote. But, with your 6 speed and 4.11's I would go with a little more than a mild camshaft. Comp Cams 503 would be my suggestion.
The camshaft setup gets my vote. But, with your 6 speed and 4.11's I would go with a little more than a mild camshaft. Comp Cams 503 would be my suggestion.
here is mine ..
Stock heads and bottom end
268HP 315FP at the wheels .. IMHO Still can make more with a better tune
Custom HSR Intake
stock 48mm TB
CC502 cam 218/224 @.050/495/503 lift 112lsa
Bosch III 24# injectors and AFPR
Scorpion 1.5 roller rockers ZZ4 Hot springs
Headman Elite LT with Magnaflow Stainless Cat-Back
Here is a stock 92 with cc503 and LT headers, and a stall converter.
Last edited by ch@0s; Dec 4, 2010 at 11:52 AM.