Stock bottom end, custom heads port matched intake, GM 847 and Comp ProMag 1.52 rr's.


Got the car running and then the oil pump died, which inturn spsun a rod bearing scoring up the crank too much to be turned. Picked up a stock LT1 motor for a good price and am now switching my heads/cam.intake over to it. The heads are most likely going to have to be resurfaced which is going to bring the piston to valve clearence to nothing.


I can either have the pistons fly-cutt which will leave the raised compression and give the clearence that is needed, or I can use a thicker head gasket giving me the needed clearence and keeping the compression close to stock. The car is sprayed (NX Wet Kit) aswell.


I'm having mixed feelings because of the spray. I have one mechanic saying to do it, he did it to his LS1 car (10 second car), and another telling me that because I am going to spray the car not to do it, he also has a 10 second LS1 car. All I know is I have to make up my mind soon because the motor is going back together soon.

 

now im no expert, but based on what i know i would say no. stock pistons are weak from the factory, if you go cutting into them you will only make the weaker. mix the weaker piston with some of the added stress of nitrous and that should about complete you excellent recipe for disaster lol. good luck with it

 

Figure your DCR and see where ya stand.
Ya don't want to open the quinch more than .040 with a thicker gasket.
I am running 12.98 static compression on pump gas. but the DCR is 9.0 it is cam dependant.

Don't cut the pistons.Ya can't cut them enough without weakening them to do any good. They are hyperucraptit anyway.

 

Alrighty... no cutting...

 

Build the engine once and be done with it eddie ! Let the beast sport some forged pistons/rods

 

2nd that motion^^^its just a good idea

 

I still have to make my mind up about what I want o do with the car, haha, I've been thinking a lot about a single turbo 396.

 

First thing I would do is see if there is an issue with the heads.

If there is a problem and you get it fixed, then I would mock the head up and see if there really is a problem in regard to piston to valve clearance. But a piece of clay and see exactly how much room you have or do not have.

If you have over .100" of an inch, you should be fine. If not, figure out how much you need to open the reliefs. If you have just a little to do...your not going to hurt the pistons.

 

ha that's funny you mention that. I've been thinking of a turbo project now for a few years. Just recently been pricing things out.. Yikes.. For the kind of engine I want to build , plus the turbo kit I was lookin at 12 grand. Not including tuning, and money to install parts i cant. So be looking to be ready to bend over, if going that route.

Most guys do turbo ls1 b/c it costs the same, and you get more results for the money.