Ok guys...need some suggestions of what might be my best route with mods on my 95 Z. I have owned the car since it was new and it's in very good shape, but has 125K on it with the original engine and transmission. As far as mods, the only things I have done are Hypertech Programmer, Moroso CAI, Granatelli MAF, TB bypass and TB airfoil. I use it as a daily driver, so can't get too crazy, but would love to ultimately be in the 425-450 flywheel HP range as long as it's still reliable and isn't constantly having problems.

Some people have recommended the LT4 converstion kit. My only concern with that would be that I would have a fresh upper end, but my lower end would still have 125K miles on it and it seems like that would be asking for trouble? Then, of course, some people have said to just throw nitrous on it. I'm a little nervous about the miles there again and would also like to be replacing parts that have all those miles on it along with adding horsepower b/c I want to keep this car for a long time. Others have recommended a supercharger, but once again, I'm scared with the miles and wouldn't be replacing any potentially worn internals.

I'm all ears to any suggestions.

Thanks!

Rawbutt

 

If you want to make that kinda power on the stock bottom end, your asking for trouble eventually...

the only way your going to make that kinda power, is via either a forced induction/nitrous or heads/cam/stroker motor

If I was you, I'd build a low budget (if there's even such a thing, hehe) 355 with good heads

you sound nervous with the blower and juice, so you can tear down the motor to freshen everything up, re-use your crank, maybe even rods... Put a nice cam in, get some heads, headers and love the 400 hp you make...

perhaps even forged pistions while your in there... so you can run a small shot of the funny gas when you get bored

jeff

 

our stock bottom ends run better with N2O than they do with boost...

I'd suggest simply porting the hell out of your stock LT1 heads instead of doing the LT4 conversion...ported LT4 heads work better on larger engines....ie 355's...because of the larger intake runner...

Toss in a decent sized cam, 1.6 NSA rr's, springs, double roller timing chain...along with the ported LT1 heads and you can easily get 400 rwhp+...

As far as running N2O, anything more than, I'd say, a 150 shot will wear on your bottom end...even if you go with a 150 shot you'll have to watch out...

It's your call...plenty of options out there...

 

I would be more nervous about the transmission than the motor...

 

For instant gratification, in your situation the best advice would be to start aquiring parts that will give you some gains now while still being around to compliment your next motor/setup.... headers, converter, exhaust, gears, ect.

Or, you could get another block and start building your next motor on the side with some forged pistons so you can safely handle nitrous or boost for when this motor finally tires out.

I'd stay away from forced induction, but a heads/cam kit wouldn't be too bad because you can always re-use these things on your next shortblock. It really depends on how much time you're willing to put into modding a motor with such a short life span left.

If you can't afford the downtime or a rebuild, I'd stay away from power adders until you have a bottom end built to handle it.

Best of luck.