latinspice-94T/A

Friends,

I might have some extra cash soon, and I want to rebuild/refresh my LT1 since it is seriously in need of some TLC. The engine was run with very low oil (dipstick tube snapped near the bottom and it leaked out, my dad didn't notice and it was run like this for a while). The engine burns some oil, sometimes it smokes out the rear, on startup it will throw some smoke for some time too, not always though. I was checking the plugs the other day and saw oil spilling out of the #1 cylinder. Could be a headgasket, but I think that is wishful thinking. When I last threw in my cam the person doing the work (close friend, been in the drag racing scene for decades) told me he ran a compression check and it was already beginning to falter.

My plan is to refresh this engine with a good set of lightweight hyper pistons, maybe some total seal rings and new bearings and such. The typical rebuild (unfortunately at only 91 thousand miles... ) I am open to recommendations as to what are GOOD engine components you would use to make this car come back to life.

What would you reuse in the bottom end? What light hyper pistons would you order? Any source for good bearings etc?

This engine made a best of 305 rwhp capped (dyno), and around 320 rwhp uncapped (track mph increased 2mph). The stock heads were hogged out, heck the job was so mediocre the guy said he would gasket match the intake ports, sure.. SOME OF THEM. Basically, I will trash these heads, except they have some good parts on them, titanium retainers, 2.00 and 1.57 stainless steel REV valves etc.

I was wondering if you thought the Edelbrock head might satisfy my power needs and budget. I want 350 rwhp at the track, if 330 rwhp is achievable fr daily driving on a capped exhaust system that is good. I want more torque than my current combo... 300 rwtq at 4000 rpm kind of sucked... a heads and cam car with just that was indicative that something was wrong.

I don't want to rev higher than say 6100-6200 rpm.

My old combo consisted of the badly hogged out heads with my bigger stainless REV valves, crane 210/224 cam (.479I, .518E) 112 LSA, 1 3/4" random tech mid length headers (ever leaking), 3.42 gears, 2400 stall TC, pcm tuning by The Highlander (local member).

Again, to recap this lengthy post:

Concerning the Edelbrock heads (yes I am willing to risk it, I'll test them for all of us ) and the 2.00 I and 1.57 E valves. Thoughts?

Concerning the bottom end, budget rebuild with good parts doable? What do you recommend? I know some of our members have years of experience and are dedicated engine builders, for all types of plans and budgets. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Cam suggestion? I am partial to the new XE grinds. Do you think the 218/224 grind with .495 I and .502 E would make 335-350 rwhp on the Edelbrock head?

.100 I/E 61/52
.200 I/E 117/100
.300 I/E 174/140
.400 I/E 220/167
.500 I/E 242/184
.600 I/E 232/192
These are the lift #'s for that head on the stock sized valves.

Thank you all in advance for your suggestions and help. I want to put this car back on the road in a "healthy" fashion. I'm not looking to be the fastest F-bod in PR, I want a weekend bracket racer, fun car with lots of low and mid range and decent top end. Say 110 mph in the 1/4.

latinspice-94T/A

I just checked the AFR site and it seems the 180cc street head is a good option too. It is somewhat more expensive, but lift #'s are superior.
I E
.200 129 108
.300 195 156
.400 240 178
.500 255 190
.550 258 192
.600 260 194

These are 1300 bucks for the pair, vs 1020 for the Edelbrocks.

latinspice-94T/A

no suggestions? anybody?

Black_95Formula

Hey latinspice - are you from Worcester, MA? Anywho I'm going through the same delema though I'm staying with stock heads. My piston rings are worn out and I blew my head gasket. I plan to pull the engine and do a rebuild: forged pistons, forged rods, piston rings, upgrade crankshaft and main bearings.

RichyZ28

ima be doing the same project but for now i wanna see where i can take this motor, its got 101000 miles and just intake-fuel regulator-cat back and im pushing about 285rwhp and 310rwtq wich i have been told that my motor is on crack for those numbers.

Highlander

Your best options are to go with Phil@Ai for stock ported heads if your budget is TIGHT!.

I would do the heads completely if you are spending any cash and I would go with a set of AFR heads 195s ported by phil. Granted they are not cheap but will satisfy your grunt for power. If not going with an aftermarket head due to $, go with phil on the stockers. He has made pretty good power with them... those edelbrocks flow very very low for what you want...

The cam I would suggest is a 214/218 cam if under 6krpm.. if you want a little more go with the 218/224. Any more than that on a 350 will make you rev pretty hefty unless you widen the LSA. In that case... a 224/230 ground @ 114lsa might be good. but since you are not using a rod/stroke ratio in the 1.5 range I would suggest the 218/224 112 or 113 as the biggest you should go for the street as you do not need the extra duration the 224 has and widen the lsa to keep it from revving that high. a 224 cam would be good to 6600rpm+ on a 350 or so if ground at 112lsa.

I would go with the 31xx series as they have A LOT MORE lift to offer and get the most out of the heads... Those cams have a bit more duration than the 33xx series @.200 lift and you will like it better. It will offer more low end torque and top end also...

I am going through the same phase as you are right now.. I hope i can salvage my block which has quite a few $ in machining alone.

StumpDeisel

In the same boat here. I'm looking at the econoport porting from IA, is additional machine work needed/reccomended? I'm considering the hotcam kit and some shorty headers, in an attempt to pass emissions.

Also, does anyone know of a comparable and cost competitive service in the lower NY area, to save the shipping costs to NC?

latinspice-94T/A

I am in worcester, finishing up my bachelor's at WPI this summer. My car is in Puerto Rico though.

Black_95Formula

Kewl