I am planning my first engine build for my 1989 C4. I have a budget of around $2,000–$3,000. It currently has an L98, and I’ve decided to upgrade to a 4-bolt main 350 block (14093638). I’m planning to bore it .030 over, and I want to build something I can expand into a 383 stroker later.

I intend to reuse the stock crankshaft, connecting rods, lifters, push rods, and heads. I’ll also be swapping to a carburetor, using an Edelbrock Performer intake and a 650 CFM carb. I’m also considering a cam swap to open up the RPM range and better complement the carburetor.

I called Summit for recommendations, and they suggested the COMP Cams Xtreme Energy Camshaft 08-412-8. The specs are: Duration 264/270, Lift .487/.495.

For pistons, I’m looking at Speed-Pro Hypereutectic Pistons (H345DCP30) with stock rings.

Should I upgrade my rocker arms to roller rockers? What valve springs should I use? From what I’ve read, LT4 springs will fit the aluminum 113 heads.

In addition to the engine upgrades, I will be doing a custom exhaust system with headers to improve flow and performance.

My end goal is to have a fun, daily-driven street car making around 350-400 hp. I'm still in the beginning stages of planning, and I’ve never built an engine before, so I’m reaching out for help and advice from others. I got some ballpark quotes from a machine shop, around $500 to bore/hone and align the crank bearings.

 

There’s a whole lot more to building a reliable engine than what little you can glean from an Internet forum of strangers. For starters you cannot reuse lifters on a new cam… matter of fact you run into trouble mixing them up even with the original cam. The cam lobes and lifter bottoms wear together and changing them around will likely end in failure. This and a hundred more “gotcha’s” are lurking in every corner. My recommendation would be to buy a completed long block and build from there. Your chances for success and longevity will be significantly improved. Just my .02 from a guy wrenching for over 50 years…

 

You are absolutely correct.
It's not all that hard to rebuild a Gen1 small block, and get it to run.
Running well, and running a long time, well.........that's where you will run into trouble.
Not trying to dissuade you in any way, just being honest.
If you want it to run correctly and last longer than a few months, you will NEED expert assistance.
Cheaper in the long run to just buy an already built engine.
Besides, you're going to have more fun than you know getting the old motor out and the new one installed and running.

Crabs

 

It’s gonna cost you a lot more than 2-3K to build that motor and make it run well. I have invested 7K in all high performance goodies and did all the work myself with the exception of going .030 over cylinder walls.

 

89 L98s had roller lifters, not flat tappet, so this doesn't apply here.

 

Sloppy Mechanics has proven this to be true.