I would say somewhere in the 4.200 range. I'm at 4.100 and there is plenty of wall thickness to go farther.

 

If it helps anyone understand. I was already in the process of doing a Blown 396ci. for my car. That's the 97 SS, heavy *** vert., which is grossly under powered. Which means I already have lots of parts, heads, intake, TB, Headers, etc., etc. So going the LSx route doesn't make any sense. I'll be making HP with boost not rpm so don't see the need for more then 7000 revs.
The bottom line, is that it was more of an emotional decision, then a logical one.

 

If I had the coin and knew it was for sale I would definetly buy one of those blocks.
I am already doing a 396 so all I would need is to replace my pistons for the larger bore.
I think dart could change their casting for the gen 1 block to build a gen 11 if the interest was there,tens of thuosands of lt1 were put in buicks,caprices,impalas and f-bodys and corvettes but there would have to be buyers.

 

one thing I didnt think about is the more cubes you have the less rpm you have to turn so I guess the stock PCM wouldnt be as big of a restriction. im stuck the the 350 cube mindset lol

 

build a 454 LT1, stick a BIG *** custom ground cam in it, convert some brodix heads over, and you'd have one HELL of a street car

 

THis is true in some cases depending on the parts you use. To be more specific, the more stoke you have, the less RPM you can run ( in general). Take a 305 SBC and 302 SBC for example. The 305 has a 3.48 in. stroke and a 302 has a 3.00 in. stroke. A 302 SBC ( or LT1 heheh) can run to 7-8,000 RPM without much trouble. A typical 305 would grenade in no time at that RPM with comperable parts.

I usually try and keep my 409 ci under 6500 but it has gone to 7,000 with no problems. It pays to use good, race quality USA made parts

 

I would love to have that block and would have paid what it sold for easily but I didn't have the cash. I just spent $1,100 just for machine work for my new 383 so the block price wasn't that bad, it doesn't need any machine work and you have a killer block. I would build a 420+CI n2o engine but thats just me. Goodluck.

 

I would have been tempted if it was a tall deck. I'm going to start piecing stuff together to build a 434 tall deck and sb2.2 heads.

 

Exactly... bringing on the Hateraid, but that is clearly a waste. What's the point if only going 17-18 cid from what can be done to a stock LT1 block? Just to say it's a bowtie block?
Good luck w/ the build.

 

I would avagine that the bowtie block had a thicker deck and more material in extra places for the builds trying to go over 1000hp. Their was more to that block.

 

Some of you seem to be hung-up on the 17ci. My fault for inferring I already have the parts for the 396ci. In fact, I deal with a local Speed Shop and Engine builder. I don't actually have the crank, rods, or pistons in hand. I tell my Speed Shop guys what I want and pay them, they don't actually order until I drop the engine off at the Engine Builders, and then ship directly to them. So I can make changes, at no additional cost, any time up until the Engine Shop does the machine work.
So we're really talking about going from a 350ci. to 414ci., which is a 64ci. increase. And if I do deside to go to 427ci. that will be a 77ci. increase.
The engine should be delivered this week, so I'll have to make a decision soon.

 

427 has a nice ring to it. Good power too.

 

Will be fun when you tell LT1 people you have an LT1 bowtie block and they go "they never made an lt1 bowtie block, this guy is nuts", yet its true

 

The strength in the block is what makes it worth something along with the bore size and the cool factor, then if you can find one or afford one. later

 

The reason why there are those who are "hung-up" is that you are doing something that can be done with a stock block. Essentially you are wasting your money. There will not be a whole lot of difference between what can be done with a 396 to a 414.
I know.. It's your block. You can do what you want with it. It's just that... damn... you could have a 700 to 800hp N/A beast on your hands if it's built right and you are going to settle on... poop compartiviely typing.
No one will be convinced it's a bowtie block with that build unless you have the paperwork in hand.