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

Rebuild the top end!!!!!!!!!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 8, 2004 | 12:59 AM
  #1  
1990CORVETTE's Avatar
1990CORVETTE
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,775
Likes: 0
From: 1,000,000,001 Posts
Default Rebuild the top end!!!!!!!!!!

I have decided to rebuild the top end,,, Need advice!!!!!
Mechanic up the road told me he would help me out since it is my first time......
I am going with 1.6RR's......
What kind do I get? Do I get self aligning?
What is the stud size?
Guideplates, is there guide plates on there now? do i need them?
Valve Springs....
What kind and size?
Valve seals
what size?
What kind do I get?
Am I missing anything? What can I expect to see performance wise????
Thanks in advance Gentlemen :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2004 | 02:10 AM
  #2  
vader86's Avatar
vader86
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Default Re: Rebuild the top end!!!!!!!!!! (1990CORVETTE)

You cant pick valve springs until after youve picked the cam
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2004 | 02:28 AM
  #3  
Corvette Kid's Avatar
Corvette Kid
Large Impressive Member
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Default Re: Rebuild the top end!!!!!!!!!! (1990CORVETTE)

Get self aligning if you don't want to use guide plates. Either way is fine, your choice. Your stud size should be 3/8, that will be fine for a limited street engine that won't see extreme RPMs. RR choice depends on your budget. Springs? What Vader said. If you're not changing cams, maybe just a slight upgrade while you're replacing them, which you should with the 1.6 RRs. Going with more spring than you need won't gain you anything.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2004 | 09:45 AM
  #4  
1MoorTym's Avatar
1MoorTym
Drifting
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 0
From: West Islip New York
Default Re: Rebuild the top end!!!!!!!!!! (1990CORVETTE)

You cant pick valve springs until after youve picked the cam
vader is right on.

Your post didn't say you were replacing the cam, but in my opinion if you don't, you won't see/feel much gain at all after spending a lot of money.

Look, to put some numbers on it, the stock cam (using 89 specs) has a 273/282 lobe, using 1.5 rockers which you have is 409/423. Spending $300 on 1.6 rockers is going to get you to 436/451. Better, but still a pretty small cam.

You will pick up some advantage from the rollers construction and the new ratio, but the real gain will come from another cam.
:cheers:
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2004 | 11:01 AM
  #5  
Red Tornado's Avatar
Red Tornado
Team Owner
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Default Re: Rebuild the top end!!!!!!!!!! (1MoorTym)

....You will pick up some advantage from the rollers construction and the new ratio, but the real gain will come from another cam.
:cheers:
Exactly. I was confused about your subject line, then all you mentioned were 1.6 RR's. Thats NOT a top end rebuild, not even close!

You might see a 10-15 chp gain with straight RR upgrade.

Every time I see a post like this, it reminds me of the thinking I had only a year ago. Just replacing RR's is playing games. Save $$ until you're ready to do it right! That means cam, chip, valvetrain componentry, exhaust, and on & on.....while you're at it, port or buy a good an inexpensive set of ported 113 heads. Cost? Thousands.....but when you're done you're done!
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2004 | 03:18 PM
  #6  
86Moon's Avatar
86Moon
Drifting
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 0
From: Beavercreek OR
Default Re: Rebuild the top end!!!!!!!!!! (bradvette)

Cost? Thousands.....but when you're done you're done!
:iagree: So little time, so much money, but the result is, well, breathtaking
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2004 | 04:26 PM
  #7  
G-Racer's Avatar
G-Racer
Intermediate
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Sterling VA
Default Re: Rebuild the top end!!!!!!!!!! (1990CORVETTE)

There is about 30HP in those heads if ported properly. I offer that service.
Thanks,
Greg Parker
Steadfast Performance
Complete Cylinder Head Services
Flow Bench
703.609.1200
steadfastperformance.com


[Modified by G-Racer, 9:28 PM 2/8/2004]


[Modified by G-Racer, 9:30 PM 2/8/2004]
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2004 | 04:45 PM
  #8  
AS84's Avatar
AS84
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 1
From: Springfield MO
Default Re: Rebuild the top end!!!!!!!!!! (1990CORVETTE)

I don't know what some of these guys are talking about. Did he say anything about changing cams or porting heads? Anyway, if you're valve springs are tired and you have some miles on the motor you can get some performance back by going through the valve train. I would reccomend new lifters, stock replacement springs, new valve stem seals (they're cheap) and if you want to gain a little extra power you can change the 1.5 rockers to a full roller 1.6 such as comp cams pro magnum's. If you go this route I would change the guide plates and push rods. The stud size is 3/8". There are a few types of different stem seals. Mine are from felpro I believe, they are blue with two steel bands around them which hold them tighter to the boss.
Depending on how worn the stuff you are replacing is will great effect how much power your return to the engine. Don't expect alot, it's really a maintenance item.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Rebuild the top end!!!!!!!!!!

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:23 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE