Has anybody here done a LT1 396 stroker build? Due to the previous owner doing half assing or being a dumbass with the 94 TA I got last year I now have to rebuild the rebuilt motor.lol
So I'm looking for suggestions/insight into a 396 rebuild. Like problems you ran into doing yours,what power it made,what all you bought to go with it etc.
I've purchased or already had horded up the following: Eagle forged 396 kit,52mm holley TB,long tube headers,Moroso oil pan,pick-up tube and HV pump,ported stock heads&intake,30# svo injectors,4 bolt splayed main caps,tubular k-member,racetronix fuel pump wiring kit,new opti and msd cap&rotor,CSR electric water pump. I know once I get the heads flowed I can get with a cam company and give the flow#s,cid,weight of car,gearing&trans info to have cam built. What next? Shops that can do the machine work

 

It's all in the heads (/cam). I wouldn't be surprised at all if stock heads on a 396 would make less power than 350 with good heads.

Find a shop than can do the 4 bolt caps, clearance the block, and balance the rotating assembly.

 

just remember to get the smallest base cam you can to help avoid cam to rod clearance issues especially with the 3.85 stroke

 

396s have a 3.875 stroke... FYI

 

Even if they're ported as much as possible?
AFR's look to be the only ones doing aftermarket.

 

AFR/Trickflow/Dart are just a few on the table. Then you can add in converted SBC heads. Intake for a 396 should be sheet metal or single plane if you want everything from your heads. According to old posts from 1racerdude the stock intake style hinders intake flow numbers by 15-20cfm. Mdacton went mid 10's with stock ported heads, small valves, and single plane/carb in a 383. Just saying that heads are very important, but you they won't make up for having the wrong combination.

-Dustin-

 

I thought it seemed weird thats right the other coice for rods are 5.85 not the crank

 

Yup.

 

Yep I got the 4340 3.8750 6.000" H-beam rods and 5.0cc forged SRP combo kit. bout 6 years or so back. And thru the years have been picking up parts with intention of doing this in the SS if and when the stock LT1 ever let loose or wore out. But seeing as how I was ignorant and bought a rebuilt TA from a dummy I'm forced to do what I can with what I got. Nobody around here had any suggestion for a machine shop so guess I'll just goto jungle jims. Was really wanting to know what combo others have used and what if any problems they ran into. Parts that they used etc. Thanx all for the suggestions so far. Heads might be out of budget for me. I still need to do machine work,cam,misc arp bolts,new valves,springs,etc. shop bill for the towing and use of the lift.

 

Found somebody to do the machine work/balancing. Went with the dart pro1 215cc heads. Still need harmonic dampener,timing chain,pushrods. I'd still like to hear from others with a 396 as to what parts you used,problems,etc.

 

I dont think the 6 rod is a good choice for the 396 and the injectors you got are going to be to small. you will need 36 at the least. and heads heads heads is the word man. that motor will need to breath and stock heads wont work very well. do you plan on a power adder at all? to bad you caint get the shorter rods witch would mean diffrent pistons as well. but thats what you got so sell those stock ported heads and get some AI or trickflow or something

 

I havent done a 396, but if i ever did i would follow this...

www.tpis.com/LT1-lowres.pdf

Might help with idea's and estimated power.

 

Thanx,that was a good read!

I wish there was more/cheaper options for timing chains and tall valve covers(canton $190-260!).lol Looks like my LT4 hot cammed kit Roller Rockers want work with the dart heads.