I have a 96 z28 looking to rebuild. here is what i know i am going to do but i need suggestions on what parts, kits, etc, to use. i have about 3 grand to work with. looking to get as close to 400hp as possible.

i want to bore over to a 355.. what rebuild kit would be best..

i want to cam it but i dont want a wild cam. gonna be street/strip car. not a daily driver but sort of. work is only 10 miles from house. i definatley want the cam to be noticed but slightly. what cam would be good?

i am going to put pacesetter long tubes with loudmouth 2 exhaust and an x-pipe.

i have richmond 4.10 gears for it.

want a good ported/polished throttle body for it. was thinking 58mm??? what is a good brand?

pistons, rods internals?? whats good.. forged, hardened?? might juice it but not sure..??

what tune would be best.. dyno tune or buy a tune for it??

i am completely undecided on parts but want near the best or best parts??

any and al help is much appreciated guys.. thanks..

 

400HP at the flywheel, or at the rear wheels? Through a manual or auto trans?

 

6 speed. Also as close to 400 at the wheels. Or is at the crank more attainable?

 

Correct me if Im wrong, but it sounds like you dont have the basic mods done to the car yet? CAI, headers,exhaust, maybe a mail order tune. A good quality set of ported heads with a matching cam will get you 400hp to the wheels on a stock block, with supporting mods. If you havent already, I would take the money you have, buy all the boltons needed, and upgrade your suspension to put the power to the ground. Then slap on a set of GM ported heads, a good matching cam, and the factory intake will be just fine for your needs.

 

Take a look at my sig. I did all the bolt-ons that I could do and put in an lt4 hotcam kit (which a fairly streetable setup) and I'm still no where close to 400hp at the wheels. More like 360ish at the crank but that was before my cut-out which i'm curious to see how much that could gain me. If you're going to be doing all the mods your self then you could save money on labor and get pretty close if you get your heads ported and a matched cam. Lloyd Elliot has some pretty nice packages that could get you to 400hp with the budget your looking at.

http://elliottsportworks.com/

 

Advanced Induction ported heads and cam, mild ported gm intake, boltons, 392 to the wheels. And thats through an automatic. It has a dyno tune, but I took the software to the tuner. I actually paid him to learn how to tune LT1s. I think there is more power to be made, like I said, he had never tuned one before. It is what it is. I think for my heads, cam, and intake i paid $2300, well worth it.

 

i have pacesetter headers, and putting slp loudmouth exhaust with an x pipe.

can i port the stock heads and intake?

i also have cai. i have the basic bolt ons just need internals now.

 

There is 2 casting numbers for heads that are ideal for porting. Can't remember what they are but if you do a search or look on advanced inductions site they are listed. Lloyd Elliot is also recommended for porting. Once you get the casting numbers, pull your valve covers to see if you got those heads. You'll need to get 1.6 rockers, pushrods, and a tune. Mail order will work for now. How many miles on the block? Is there a reason it needs to be rebuilt? Do a compression test and if everything is peachy there then you can still make good power on a completely stock block, as long as its healthy. A 52 mm throttle body is big enough for your needs also. No need for a 58 till your making huge power.

 

Last three digits for both 'preferred for porting' castings are "374" and "643".

I got a set of raw, never used "374" castings.....perfect for porting. If interested, send me a PM.

KW