I am thinking about stroking my lt1 to a 396 and I am wondering how much total cost should be if the rotating assembly totals around 1200-1500? I know machine shops vary but I am looking for a rough estimate for boring and honing the cylinders? Also what else would I have to do to make this combo work?

 

possibilities are endless. anywhere from 8-12K but thats a huge difference. i know some guy on here have over 12K i know mine is over 10K. depending on the hp you might need to build up the tranny and definatly get a stronger clutch. maybe a rebuilt rear-end. just depends on how far you wanna go with your project.

 

I am looking to get out as cheap as possible. I will go back and deal with the tranny and rear end another day. I am just wanting an estimate for the machine work really. I plan on installing all the internals myself.

 

Using "cheap" and "396 LT1" in the same thought probably approachs an oxymoron. Sorry.

If you aren't going to do very good heads, intake, exhaust and valvetrain, I think you will be very disappointed with a couple thousand dollar 396 bottom end. My guess is with everything else stock, you won't see much that the 13% increase in displacement can offer. Torque peak rpm should drop, as will hp peak rpm, and you won't have much more peak hp anyway, if any.

Suggestion: 1) build a budget, cast Scat 9000 crank 383 with decent ported stock heads, headers, free flowing exhaust, and a custom designed SR with it's associated parts. more power and Probably more average torque.
or 2) spend your money on heads, valvetrain, etc. for a 355 rebuild. Probably faster/$ invested.


Of course both of these things have been done lots of times.

My $.02

 

Pay attention to the previous post. You will really gain next to nothing unless you also perform other modifications to allow the motor to breathe better. The only exception is that if your motor is already trashed and needs a new rotating assy. and to be refreshed anyway it may make sense to buy a cheap stroker kit. Otherwise, put your $$$ where it will do some good.

Rich Krause

 

LOL you are right about cheap and 396. As of right now the only mods I have are listed in my sig along with an LT4 knock sensor. I am wanting to spray a pretty big shot of nitrous in the near future so forged internals are a must for me. I am also having to set back money for tuning. I also would like to port my heads soon to somewhat help to get more flow for the added displacement until I can get enough for some money aftermarket heads. If you still feel like suggestion #1 or 2 is still right for me let me know and I will look into that route. I just thought that a 396 would be the best route to go.

 

Would my car hold up to nitrous and heads with a stock bottom end? If not how much nitrous would a budget stroker hold?

 

Power is all in the heads...so if you want NA power get some ported heads. If you want N2O than you have to invest in nice forged pistons...The typical cheap stroker kit (with forged pistons and nice set of connecting rods), will cost you $1600-1800 (+ $$ for the machine shop)..It should hold 250HP of nawsssss

If I were you I would build cheap 355 (with forged pistons) and invest all the money in the heads (lloyd Eliot), Long tubes and tuning...You will gain much more HP with this than with stock heads and 396...
Sebastian

 

ttt

 

one last bump for some more opinions

 

I think you already have your answer .

But to elaborate a little, if you are spraying a big nitrous shot there are more issues than just the rotating assy (esp. the pistons as already mentioned). You will need fuel system and drivetrain upgrades as well. The project needs to be thought of as a system. OTOH, if you have a stock motor in good condition, a 100-150hp wet kit can be run relatively safely.

Rich Krause

 

i'm in the process of putting my 396 togehter.. short block is done and i have spent over 4K on stuff not even related to heads/valvetrain.. Fuel sys. is big bucks and lets not even get into what its going to cost for the heads and stuff.. You could go the cheap route and build a 396 w/ ported LT1 heads.. but like the previous post's build a 355 w/ forged piston's do some head work from Lloyd or A.I and have bret cut you a cam and voila.. It'll be more than enough..