I need your input on the combination of parts that I have selected to put in my engine.
1- LT1 2 bolt main block bored .030 over ,splayed 4 bolt main caps aligned bored & honed and "decked".
2- LT1 aluminum heads lightly ported & polished,matched ports to intake gaskets, stock valves, dual valve springs (130# seated / 330# opened) I'm not 100% sure about these spring specs, just from memory.
3- LT1 crankshaft turned.010/.010
4- LT1 stock rods reconditioned
5- Speed Pro pistons (hypuretic)(?sp) .030" over 10.4:1 cr
6-Comp cam push rods
7- Comp Cam hydraulic roller lifters (OEM replacement)
8- LT1 stock timing set
9- Comp cam camshaft #266HR-14 --valve duration @.050 I-210 / E-
220 ; valve lift w/ 1.5 ratio roller rockers (Crane Gold Series)-
I-.500 / E-.510
10- LT1 stok head gasket(.049")
I have already installed a set of TPIS longtube headers. I have ported the intake to match the intake gasket. This Is for our '96coupe W/auto.
My wife drives this car some, so I am trying to stay somewhat "mild" with the engine building. I'm hoping for a fwhp of about 375+. I dont want to have modify the ECM if at all possible and have to install a "high" stall converter. Please give your honest opinion. I have already
had a machinest to tell me that tha cam selection is wrong and the lifter were "crap". I think he is full of "BS".

(The list of parts have been purchased, this isn't wishful thinking. I start assembling in two weeks.)

 

I would port the heads more and use a slightly larger cam. My choice would be a comp 305 roller or the 502 cam. Both has a virtual stock idle and you could more or less get away without any PCM tuning.

Also I would upgrade the timing set to the LT4 roller set. Its cheaper than the LT4 extreme timing set but much stronger than the OE LT1 link type timing chain.

But of course to get the most out your work and money its best to have it recalibrated. As for the lifters being crap I don't agree, there is nothing wrong with using OE style roller lifters. One has to remember that ALL lifters made here in the USA are made by maybe 3 manufacturers who make them for Crane, Comp and others. All GM lifters were made by Johnson until they got screwed over when Federal Mogul bought them out and caused them to go bankrupt. Thats when there was a shortage of lifters and the prices skyrocketed. Johnson also made lifters for Comp, Crane and Crower.

Give Lloyd Elliot a call about getting your heads ported. He is very reasonable and does a great job:

www.eportworks.com

At 375FWHP I wouldn't even bother with the expense of going with splayed caps. That is going to cost a bunch to do. A better choice would be to find a rebuildable Corvette LT1 block, as these were all originally 4 bolt main blocks from GM.

Also I would use a Fel-Pro 1074 head gasket which would give you a .039 compressed thickness. Its a better gasket than the OE gasket.

I am not sure if I would recondition the stock rods, for a little more you can purchase new GM Performance PM rods. The reason is that these are powdered metal rods and I am not sure how they react to "rebuilding" methods.

 

I have to agree with tjwong on this one. The cost of the splayed block is gonna be pretty considerable and not really worth it if you're still using stock rods and crank, they'll give before the main caps will.

The extra money saved on the block could be used to work the heads better which should pay greater dividends for you. I too would consider a more aggressive cam.

 

I agree with Nathan and Twong.

While you have it all apart, try to get as much bang for the parts' buck as you can.

Timing chain is a must--LT1 chain is supposed to be a weakness. If you never race it, it might not matter, especially if you never spin the engine beyond 5850 (LT1 's rev limiter--GM must have designed the chain to handle this under street conditions).

I have a mild cam, but that one is milder yet. You can do better.

Heads--same thing--here is where to spend the cash.

Gasket--Impala SS gasket works too and bumps compression Ratio up.

 

[QUOTE=tjwong]

Give Lloyd Elliot a call about getting your heads ported. He is very reasonable and does a great job:


At 375FWHP I wouldn't even bother with the expense of going with splayed caps. That is going to cost a bunch to do.
QUOTE]
Both of these are great sugestions and I would not even bother with finding a Vette block for this build a 2 bolt will be fine Splayed mains where probably over kill for me and I am close to 500CHP

 

Well guys, I had already put the splayed caps on my self, and am having them bored and honed now. I have purchased a new set of "Eagle" rods and bought a new LT1 "GM" crank. The cam, I am considering exchanging based on your opinion and others. I'm going to concentrate on the short block at the time. When I'm done with it, I will address the heads. Which timing chain should I use- A: stock LT1, B:LT4, C: LT4 HD,or D: none of them?