Is the car/engine still intact? I heard he had some problems with the engine, pulled it and put it in a different chassis, but I don't know how reliable that info was. Its been almost 3 years now since I set up the deal to sell the car.

 

yes, the engine is in a LS1 chassis (99 or 00 car - not really sure) Camaro now. I don't know what happened to the 97 'vert chassis though.

 

You could do it, and it really wouldnt cost much more if any more at all over a 383 or 396... Eagle sells internal 4" stroke late model cranks. What I am wondering is why more havent done it. 402ci LT1 engines are entirely possible, though you would most likely need a custom small base circle cam to clear, and a good block with no core shift issues. I see 2 big problems with it though, a poor rod to stroke ratio and lack of heads that flow enough to feed it.

If you were considering that just get a late model bowtie. GM sells one that is set up with all the late model junk...even the 1pc seal. So technically you could build a 434ci engine, throw some SBC heads on it, an SBC EFI single plane, and it would cost you roughly the same as doing the same to your LT1(402 good heads single plane). And it'll be a stronger block. Just a thought.

Or just say the hell with the EFI all together and get an iron eagle for a few bucks more...go with a 4.125 stroke and a 4.185 bore and have at it with 454 cubes, and top it off with some well ported SB2.2 heads...but that's a 20k engine The added deck height will help you get a more acceptable r/s ratio. Too bad there are no 9.325" deck late model big bore bowtie blocks... or ones with a raised cam...I'd buy one in an instant.