Block just got cleared at the machine shop, have an after market set of heads, but everything else is currently unknown. I am not necessarily trying to build power here, just looking for a stock build but will probably have to go .30 over on the block. Who has decently valued rebuild kits? How much should I expect to pay for the machine work? What is a decent cam for a stock engine? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Charlie

 

Your machine shop should be able to answer those questions and supply the parts at a decent price for a stockish rebuild. Replacement speed-pro or mahle hyper pistons, mild 220 something duration cam.

What heads do you have, that seems like a lot of expense for a stock motor and basically a waste of potential power...

 

Well let me give you some backround first... I built a 396 for MY car and purchased the trick flow gen x 23* heads off summit. Upon further research, I realized that a set of LE2s would better benefit my application and decided to sell the TFs to my buddy who is doing a stock build. What do you think? Also, my machinist is charging my buddy 860 for the machine work and another 400 for assembly...that seems a bit high? Or is that on par? Hey I really appreciate the input here, my buddy is in Afghanistan right now, and I don't want to do him wrong here, it stinks over there!

Thanks again

 

Thats a good price but really prices vary for the lt1 on which state your in. Some states have lots of shops that specialize in lt1. I found that carolina machine engines will do a short block rebuild for eight hundred dollars which is a steal and and long block for sixteen hundred and thats the best prices ive found on line in the past year so your doing fine. I have not found a shop in oklahoma that will do a short block for an lt1 under sixteen hundred dollars and a longblock for about twenty three hundred. Well i just decided to do it myself. So yeah i would say thats a pretty good deal especially due to the fact that its not a stock rebuild because usually as soon as you tell them that its not exactly a stock replacement they say well let me switch you over to the performance side of the shop and the price just goes up. Good luck man

 

what is your budget and goal?

 

Well my budget is 1000 maybe a little more...seeing as I already have a set of decent heads for it and my goal is stock+20...maybe. I am not really looking for huge gains, I just want something that will be reliable and still stout enough to make people think.

hey, thanks for all the input guys!

Charlie

 

Your budget is very slim to do anything other than a VERY budget stock rebuild using all stock parts. A cam and its supporting mods will run you about that much already. You're looking at about 2k to do it right, maybe more.

 

Yea I suppose you are right. I just went to the machinist and am working a build that will be in the ball park of 2000ish...including new timing hardware, cam, etc. Should I still go with those trickflow heads on a stock engine?

 

i would use ported stockers, i thought you have le2s and gave the TF to your buddy

stock crank is fine, just use a good i beam and stock style hyper. pistons. stock timing hardware, arp head bolts and main studs.

 

I have not bought my set yet, need to free up the cash from the TFs before I pick up the LEs. Man, I am just all turned around right now, I need direction...Since I have discretion over a a couple grand for my buddy, I do not want to make the wrong decisions ya know? Will running the TFs on the stock bottom end work backwards? Should I even do that for him or should I just get his stockers reworked? Man I am confused!

 

The TFs will lower your compression as-cast, so I would advise in using ported stock castings. They will deliver what you want (either from AI or LE, although I used AI...LE seems to be having some issues problems lately).

 

Thanks for the advice! I have settled on a stock rebuild all the way down to the heads. He is charging me 2300 for a COMPLETE rebuild and assembly...what do you think?

 

just have the trick flows milled down some and use the b-body head gaskets and you wont have any problems with compression being low. the trick flows will be ok on a stock bottom end with a cam. wont hurt anything at all you just wont be using the full potential of the trick flows.

 

Charlie, I think most of us who have built our motors know we will go over budget but also have a HP goal to reach. A stocker is great BUT since you are already in the motor, why not put a mild cam in and do a little head work? You can built decent power with H/C combo on a stocker bottom end. Did you have a particular HP you wanted to go with or just a reliable DD? Either way, there are people on here who will help you out, they know thier stuff without a doubt.

BTW - Hats off to your buddy and anyone who goes out that way. I've sent a couple of my guys over to the sandbox already and glad to see them when they get back.