[Z06] Need Input on Building New Engine
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 373
Likes: 1
From: Georgetown Kentucky
Need Input on Building New Engine
Hey guys just bought my first Corvette an 01 Z06. Car has around 124K miles. Gonna build a motor over the winter to swap it out since I am planning on spraying the car next spring.
I am pretty new to these LS motors. Had 2 LS Z28's but didn't keep them long enough to really get used to them. I have had 7 Mustangs and knew them inside and out but I am clueless on what to go with for the powerplant on the Corvette.
Any suggestions on what block to go with and rotating assembly would be great. I may just swap the heads over and sell the stock shortblock when the time comes. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I am pretty new to these LS motors. Had 2 LS Z28's but didn't keep them long enough to really get used to them. I have had 7 Mustangs and knew them inside and out but I am clueless on what to go with for the powerplant on the Corvette.
Any suggestions on what block to go with and rotating assembly would be great. I may just swap the heads over and sell the stock shortblock when the time comes. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,278
Likes: 227
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
pull the heads and replace the lifters/lifter trays, replace the valvesprings and swap out the cam/timing chain/oil pump, pull the lower oil pan(15 minutes/with the motor in car) and see how the pickup tube screen and if there are any "surprises" in the lower pan
With the right tune and some AR Headers you are good well beyond the 200k mark, putting down 400whp plus easily
With the right tune and some AR Headers you are good well beyond the 200k mark, putting down 400whp plus easily
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 22
From: Cary NC
Unless you are doing a massive hp build 1 3/4 headers might serve you much better. This is small block and 1 7/8 might cause you to give up a lot of torque. That's the theory I understand anyway. I don't thinking spraying it matters for that part. 1 7/8 are good for big block big displacement.
An SB Chevy isn't that far different than the 4.6s and 5.0s you are used to in the Stangs. A lot of the same principles apply.
An SB Chevy isn't that far different than the 4.6s and 5.0s you are used to in the Stangs. A lot of the same principles apply.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 113
From: Los Angeles
I agree that a rebuild of your current block is probably your most cost-effective route. If you decide to replace your rotating assembly with a forged piece (I would think that any brand-name unit should be fine for most applications), then you might as well get one that strokes you out to 383ci. 
But if building from scratch, I would start with a LS2 block, and use this as a source for the various options that exist:
http://www.texas-speed.com/c-773-364...ng-blocks.aspx
If you end up with a displacement over 364ci, then I'd send your stock heads off to these guys for a port job:
http://www.totalengineairflow.com/cn...eads/gm/ls1ls2
But if building from scratch, I would start with a LS2 block, and use this as a source for the various options that exist:
http://www.texas-speed.com/c-773-364...ng-blocks.aspx
If you end up with a displacement over 364ci, then I'd send your stock heads off to these guys for a port job:
http://www.totalengineairflow.com/cn...eads/gm/ls1ls2
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 373
Likes: 1
From: Georgetown Kentucky
I agree that a rebuild of your current block is probably your most cost-effective route. If you decide to replace your rotating assembly with a forged piece (I would think that any brand-name unit should be fine for most applications), then you might as well get one that strokes you out to 383ci.
But if building from scratch, I would start with a LS2 block, and use this as a source for the various options that exist:
http://www.texas-speed.com/c-773-364...ng-blocks.aspx
If you end up with a displacement over 364ci, then I'd send your stock heads off to these guys for a port job:
http://www.totalengineairflow.com/cn...eads/gm/ls1ls2
But if building from scratch, I would start with a LS2 block, and use this as a source for the various options that exist:
http://www.texas-speed.com/c-773-364...ng-blocks.aspx
If you end up with a displacement over 364ci, then I'd send your stock heads off to these guys for a port job:
http://www.totalengineairflow.com/cn...eads/gm/ls1ls2
Thanks for the input it is greatly appreciated. Still considering rebuilding mine or finding a block to build so I can still enjoy the car until I decide to swap the engine out.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From: Elmhurst Illinois
all of this depends are power goals and costs. There are tons of combos out there right now that make really good power.
LS3 / L92 builds seem to be very popular right now
ORRR
Build this but with a more aggressive cam made to rev up to 7500-8000 RPM
http://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomete...93-octane.html
LS3 / L92 builds seem to be very popular right now
ORRR
Build this but with a more aggressive cam made to rev up to 7500-8000 RPM
http://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomete...93-octane.html
Last edited by ThumperNC24; Aug 7, 2012 at 10:27 PM.
