Got a deal on a 1997 Chevy LT-1 crate motor. Should be a 4bolt main from what I understand. I got LE ported heads, a CC306 cam(might go 847 cam), comp 1.6rr's. Corvette composite valve covers, getting Hooker or Jet hot LT's, gonna have an off road X-pipe made 3.5" with dumps. BBK tb unsure of size coming with motor. MadZ28 will do tune. #30fms injectors. Shooting for about 375-400rwhp. The motor is new, never run cept for gm test firing. It's been sitting though for about 2 years so I need to know what all to do to it to make sure it's gonna last. Should I have it taken apart, cleaned and re-assembled. The heads have been off motor b/c guy had them cnc'd(afr 180 heads btw) so some dust and air debris may have gotten in cylinders. I have pics of the motor and no bore rust and no visible debris in cylinder walls.

Also, do i need a better oil pan, pickup or high flow oil pump for this motor. One last ? For turning about 6400rpms the stock lifters would cause valves to float from what I understand, will the comp r lifters fix that or do I need the AFR rev kit. I want to get all this done in one shot
thanks
John

 

Was it bagged or just in a crate? I would take it apart just to be safe, Also I dont know what happens to bearings when the crank/cam sits on the same exact spot for that long of a period of time, I wouldnt think it would be good, but Im not sure. For the valve floating problems, does it have heavy springs? If not Id get either comp 987s or 943s, something with good seat pressure, but not too much, dont want to destroy your lifters. If you have the money the hydra rev kit wouldnt hurt, but not necessary. R lifters shouldnt be needed, heavier springs should do the trick, those arent HUGE cams, both under .600" I believe.

 

Well I talked to the guy who'd be installing this and he suggested having motor balanced due to the R's I wanna run(6,500rpm). He didn't think the factory balance would be that "tight".

So the motor comes apart now anyway.

any recommendation on doing anything since it's apart now anyway, different rods, pistons, hardware/fasteners
I'm open to recommendations

thanks

 

You just opened a whole nuther box of worms or whatever the metaphor is. I dont see why the factory balancing would be bad, they are internally balance already, I think he might be trying to get more money out of you, people rev on stock bottom ends to 6500 all day long, and they have 100k sometimes. If you are going to tear it apart just replace maybe the bearings and the rings, thats all I would do unless you are gonna stroke it.

 

no not gonna stroke it and I don't think he's trying to get extra $$$ from me. He works at this on the side(he's a full time cop). He's done alot of work for me on different cars and I trust his judgement, but I'm sure alot of you know alot more about LT-1 than him so that's why I post ?'s to educate myself. I didn't want to stroke it etc.. b/c of $$$$$. I need to stay inside of a budget b/c I'm buying alot of other parts too. Basically I want a good solid motor that will last awhile taking some moderate abuse I'm gonna dish to it.

I appreciate all feedback and if consenses is that the factory balance is good then I'll just keep it at that.
He was actually kinda reluctant to take it apart b/c he thinks we'd have to get all new cap hardware b/c he thinks they are the torque once factory hardware stuff and can't be retourqed w/out problems.