Hey all,

I need to get some machine work done on this 96 LT1 I have. All I really need I suppose is a good hone, and I want them to use a torque plate. I'll be installing some total seal rings and I want the cylinders to be dead on. If anyone knows which shops do good work and stand by it, I need to find them

The engine I got from regal performace seems to be in really good shape, no ridge at all on the cyl walls, and appears to have the factory crosshatch pattern still on the walls.

I'm trying to put this motor together pretty solid for a HP/torque goal of 300HP to the wheels. I also don't want to go 'all out' on the motor...(yet). I really don't see myself taking this engine up more than 400 at the wheels in the future.

I'm planning to use all the stock rods/pistons. I figured it would be a good idea to use some ARP hardware on the rod bolts.

What about the bearings? I wouldn't mind using the stockers...from what I was told it doesn't have much milage on it, and from looking at the block, that seems to be true...but on the other hand...I will have it all apart...so what sort of bearings can you get for a reasonable cost? Would it really be nessesary considering my moderate goal and assuming they all check out good?

I'm planning on using the stock heads, some chromoly pushrods from comp along with a set of 1.6 roller tip RRs.

Am I missing anything? Is there anything I might consider as well?

Thanks!

-GaryH

 

I'd like to know too - preferrably in the Gwinnett County area ....

 

Gents,

I've had my '96 SS worked on for the last four years by Brad Brand at Atlanta Chassis & Dyno, located in the NE Atlanta area, I-85 northbound, around Sugar Loaf Parkway.

My car started out bone stock doing about 280rwhp. Brad's shop did my heads, header install, cam swap. clutch swap, driveshaft install, computer swap & reprogram, intake work, and 3.73 rear gear installs. I'm getting 387rwhp now with no blower, no nitrous. Great daily driver!

The guys at Atlanta Chassis Dyno can be reached at 770-623-9789. These guys can be hard to get on the phone, especially during racing season, and they're not very prompt about returning calls, either. But they do outstanding quality work once you get the car in the shop and their rates are very reasonable. I've shopped around a pretty good bit, and these guys are trustworthy. Not very timely, but trustworthy.

If you give 'em a call, tell 'em Eric (with the '96 SS) sent you. They'll know who you're talking about.

 

i second that on atlanta chassis dyno. They do great work and have worked on my car quite a bit putting a 12 bolt in headers and reprogrammed me for 3.73 gears witha dyno tune to follow up next week. Talk to brad or brian up their and theyll take care of ya.

Heath

 

hmm, well I'm aware of that shop, I drive past there every once in a while...but last I heard they were a mustang shop and I didn' t think they had a machine shop there....I'll call them and find out though, thanks.

-GaryH

 

Atlanta Chassis is more for performance installations ... $250 for my spec stage 3 clutch swap - good price considering what the rest of these places are charging (450-550$ !!)

However, i got quoted on an opti swap ... they wanted $225 for the labor (pretty outrageous) so i just got one of my friends to do it for me (also did some other stuff). IF you're in teh Gwinnett County area, check out www.atlstreetdemonz.com and find out more info about the group.

later

 

Hmmm, okay well thatnks for the tip on the shop...but they don't sound like a 'machine shop' they are more of a speed shop it sounds like. And since I do pretty everything I possibly can myself...I'll likely never call them

Anyways, I did send the block off to a place in alpharetta off GA 400 called Accurate Auto Machine. I got a good recommendation from one my local buddies...so we shall see.

I can say, taking a look around the shop, it was very clean and orderly...so that's a good sign

If anyone is in this area and wants to know how it turned out, I can write something up on it when I get the block back.

It's going to be cleaned, thread chased, balanced, TP honed, new bearings all over, install hotcam, rings...that's it for now...unless something changes like my crank is bent :P The crank has a 'flat spot' on the balancer that looks like it might have been sort of dropped. It spins freely with the pistons out without sticking in any particular position but you never know till you measure it all I suppose.

-GaryH

 

Can you tell me exactly where they are located?

 

Sure, if you take 400n to exit 12 (McFarland) you would take a left off the ramp and head all the way down that road till it looks like it turns into an industrial park (This is HWY 9 you'll cross over), keep going straight through that light (I think there is a shell station to your left at this point) You'll shortly see a black sign with gold lettering labeled "lords" I believe on your right (I've missed it more than once driving 'normal' so you might go slower once you enter the park) Turn right after that sign. Follow this sort of curving road taking no turns untill it comes to a circle, bear to your left...you'll see the road continues a little. AAM is the last building on your right shortly after the circle. You have to drive down the road a bit because you can't see it from the circle. You should spot the window sign at this point. The guy you want to talk to is Jim. I believe he is the owner/builder. Seems like a good guy and didn't try to over-sell me. Listened to what I wanted, answered some questions for me and I left with a general sense of comfort.

Let us know how it goes, maybe we have a good atlanta shop to send board members to.



What all are you needing to have done?

-GaryH