C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Hi TQ engine block

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Old Jun 6, 2011 | 08:21 AM
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Default Hi TQ engine block

I have been getting the itch to build another engine, #6 or #7 I don't remember how many I've built so far in the 406 CI format.

Are the GM Bow Tie blocks decent for Hi Torque, it looks like they only have 2-bolt mains ? Would adding 4-bolt mains help or would it be just as easy to buy a Dart Little M?

I am considering another build, an engine that would make a modest 500+ RWTQ and I wonder if the Bow Tie would handle it, you cant beat the price.

If you have dynoed your engine using a Bow Tie block with 500+ RWTQ I love to know that is has been done,,,

Right now I have a dyno proven 460-RWTQ in my 406 with a 238-242 hyd-roller cam.... and I doubt I can hit 500 RWTQ without definitely dropping my cam down to @ 230/236 or so...

The perfect scenario for me would be to buy a block and use all of my forged internals, Eagle 4340 H-beams, Eagle 4340 -400 mains crank and Wiseco forged pistons so I can minimize the cost.

Any thoughts or real world experience?

Larry
Indianapolis
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Old Jun 6, 2011 | 05:45 PM
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Wow, Bow Tie seller guy says 1500HP with Billet -bolt caps,
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Old Jun 6, 2011 | 05:52 PM
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your perfect world sentence at the end of your post answered your question
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Old Jun 6, 2011 | 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by oldalaskaman
your perfect world sentence at the end of your post answered your question
Thank you grasshopper
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Old Jun 6, 2011 | 07:32 PM
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I cant believe no one bought that car. Asking price was right for sure. I guess if you are going to keep it the new motor plan sounds like a good one.
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Old Jun 6, 2011 | 09:31 PM
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Originally Posted by JackDidley
I cant believe no one bought that car. Asking price was right for sure. I guess if you are going to keep it the new motor plan sounds like a good one.
There were several people interested, but after a while I just decided that I didn't want to settle on the HP of a C5, and I would prefer to get a C6 if I was gonna do it.

I guess there are not many people with Hi TQ engines, usually HP is the goal for most people, but I want to shift away from that

After doing more googling, I understand that the stroke will need to change and it looks like 421 is as big as the Bow Tie will take safely in terms of clearance,,


Oh well maybe winter will yield some nice special project surprises,
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Old Jun 6, 2011 | 09:58 PM
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Originally Posted by LD85
There were several people interested, but after a while I just decided that I didn't want to settle on the HP of a C5, and I would prefer to get a C6 if I was gonna do it.

I guess there are not many people with Hi TQ engines, usually HP is the goal for most people, but I want to shift away from that

After doing more googling, I understand that the stroke will need to change and it looks like 421 is as big as the Bow Tie will take safely in terms of clearance,,


Oh well maybe winter will yield some nice special project surprises,
You can put a 4 inch stroke crank in a Bow Tie block, I have a Bow Tie block with a 4 inch stroke (434). It would be nice if you got a 9.325 deck block, even it is not a GM. My 434 has 660 ft. lbs. at 5500 rpm, I am planning on building a 454 small block. If you want monster torque, go big block.
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Old Jun 7, 2011 | 06:08 AM
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Pretty sure GM states the bow tie block is good to 950 hp and the tall deck can do up to 500 c.i. I like those blocks and they can be had with a one piece rear main. If I were going to do another small block I would be looking at doing a sb2 or the later 2.2 parts.
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Old Jun 7, 2011 | 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by mseven
Pretty sure GM states the bow tie block is good to 950 hp and the tall deck can do up to 500 c.i. I like those blocks and they can be had with a one piece rear main. If I were going to do another small block I would be looking at doing a sb2 or the later 2.2 parts.

Thanks guys, I think my best bet is to buy a short block, and unload my rotating assembly....

I am torn on going BBC, I have always wanted to do this,,, but the end goal is to have substantial RWTQ, 550+ or more, and still be tunable....

I agree on the SB2, my local machinist made the same suggestion.


OLDALASKAMAN, I apologize for my snide respsone, no offense
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Old Jun 7, 2011 | 10:55 AM
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none taken, thought it was a cool answer.
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Old Jun 7, 2011 | 12:30 PM
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Go with the block that Jim and I use. Jim has been throwing over 800 rwtq at it for years with no issues. Its a 1 piece rear main.
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Old Jun 7, 2011 | 12:41 PM
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Originally Posted by 88BlackZ-51
Go with the block that Jim and I use. Jim has been throwing over 800 rwtq at it for years with no issues. Its a 1 piece rear main.
can you go to 434?

I think my plan will be to go for max cubes with minimal valve overlap, medium length runners 11:1 or less cr

Last edited by LD85; Jun 7, 2011 at 01:39 PM.
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Old Jun 7, 2011 | 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by LD85
can you go to 434?

I think my plan will be to go for max cubes with minimal valve overlap, medium length runners 11:1 or less cr
Yes you can. It might need a ported out Miniram.
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Old Jun 7, 2011 | 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by 88BlackZ-51
Yes you can. It might need a ported out Miniram.
It will Definitely need a ported Miniram, a modified carb or sheet metal intake.
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Old Jun 7, 2011 | 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by yedister
It will Definitely need a ported Miniram, a modified carb or sheet metal intake.
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Old Jun 7, 2011 | 07:42 PM
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I might make my own sheet metal intake
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Old Jun 7, 2011 | 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by mseven
Very
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To Hi TQ engine block

Old Jun 7, 2011 | 08:19 PM
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I am partial to this one really
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Old Jun 7, 2011 | 08:43 PM
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You can install a 4" crank in the factory block with the right choice of parts. For that matter, you can install a 4.125" crank, but after doing both, I like the 4" combo better.

I have been running it for years. Significant TQ...
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Old Jun 8, 2011 | 06:16 AM
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Originally Posted by mseven
Sweet!! I would do a tall block with 18*or 15* heads, it would wake up your neck with the torque.
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