l98 building question
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l98 building question
I would like to build a 383. Will any old sbc work? I have a friend with an old 350 out of a blazer. I believe he said 70's. Can I do a stroker kit on that block and then transfer the tPI over? Are the blocks the same ? Is their a difference between the TPI blocks and an old SBC block?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: Watertown South Dakota
A newer TPI block is has 1 piece rear main seal and roller cam (tapped for the cam retaining plate). Also is 2-bolt main, which many very powerful and long lasting street engines have been made from 2-bolt main bearing caps.
Can you use your current block?
Can you use your current block?
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Im trying to avoid using my current block for downtime. I would prefer to build another block slowly and then do an engine swap instead of pulling this motor out and having my car out of commission for a long period of time.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Dale City VA
Any 1987-1999 5.7L block will work the same as the L98. They are very easy to find.
Earlier 350 blocks lack the provisions for the factory roller cam and 1pc rear seal.... you will want to avoid them as they require different oil pans (1955-1978 are even different than 1979-1985), crankshaft and flex plate.
Some of the best block to use for this are 1996-1999 L31 Vortec truck/SUV/Van engines.
Will
Earlier 350 blocks lack the provisions for the factory roller cam and 1pc rear seal.... you will want to avoid them as they require different oil pans (1955-1978 are even different than 1979-1985), crankshaft and flex plate.
Some of the best block to use for this are 1996-1999 L31 Vortec truck/SUV/Van engines.
Will
Last edited by rklessdriver; Aug 29, 2017 at 02:16 PM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 91
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Any 1987-1999 5.7L block will work the same as the L98. They are very easy to find.
Earlier 350 blocks lack the provisions for the factory roller cam and 1pc rear seal.... you will want to avoid them as they require different oil pans (1955-1978 are even different than 1979-1985), crankshaft and flex plate.
Some of the best block to use for this are 1996-1999 L31 Vortec truck/SUV/Van engines.
Will
Earlier 350 blocks lack the provisions for the factory roller cam and 1pc rear seal.... you will want to avoid them as they require different oil pans (1955-1978 are even different than 1979-1985), crankshaft and flex plate.
Some of the best block to use for this are 1996-1999 L31 Vortec truck/SUV/Van engines.
Will
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
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From: Dale City VA
Thread Starter
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When you say 87 and up what do you mean? I cant use a vortec engine block. Would this one work? https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...yABEgKeLvD_BwE
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
When you say 87 and up what do you mean? I cant use a vortec engine block. Would this one work? https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...yABEgKeLvD_BwE
Will
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
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From: Dale City VA
Summit is a year off in their description but GM continued to mfgr the L31as service replacements and crate engines for many years afterwards so who knows what they mean there...
Never the less thats a good block to start your build with.
Will
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,328
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From: Stafford Connecticut
Yes they made the factory roller block to 99.You just don't want to use the factory Vortec heads.They are thin castings and have a tendency to crack between the intake and exhaust ports.
Last edited by steven mack; Aug 29, 2017 at 09:40 PM. Reason: add info
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Tampa, Florida
GM still makes the 1pc rear main roller cam block 10105123
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-Performan...xYuKss&vxp=mtr
Heck, they even make a 383 block 19171109
https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/blocks...9/?parent=1138
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-Performan...xYuKss&vxp=mtr
Heck, they even make a 383 block 19171109
https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/blocks...9/?parent=1138
