LMSkyliner

iTrader: (1)

OK guys. This is it! It's time to start ordering parts, and though I've had a few posts about my engine, I have changed a few things, and I just want to make sure everything is in order before i spend my very limited budget (aka, screw ups not an option). Also, i want to know about how fast it should run, even though I have a very good idea and have got TONS of help from Orr89RocZ. Lastly, cams are not my thing, and although orr has made a few suggestions i wanted to get a broader opinion.

So heres what i have so far:
97 Vortec 4-bolt main.
ARP studs
30 over and clearanced for stroker
eagle 4340 Forged 3.75 crank
6" Scat "Proc Comp" 4340 Forged I-beams
SRP flat tops for 6" rod. ~11:1 on 64cc head
Crower cam (possibly custom grind?? help me out here guys!)
new hydraulic roller lifters (crower?)
new stronger pushrods (brand?)
New 1.6 full roller rockers (http://tinyurl.com/6ebgow)
AFR 195cc heads with 64cc chamber
FIRST fuel injection intake
36 lb injectors
150 shot of fun
Custom tune

as far as ignition system goes, I'm going to let my dad deal with that. He has a certain affinity for electrical things that i do not share

Airflow/exhaust:
custom CAI that I am designing in engineering class.
Dyno Don's shorties/Y-pipe.
Magnaflow 3" IDOD cat
hooker 3" catback


and if it matters, i'll be running a TKO600 for the tranny, an aluminum driveshaft, and some kind of mystery rear-end with 3.42s or 3.73s. Havn't got that far yet.

I don't have the money to do this all in one shot but I want it planned entirely before i spend a dime (though its alittle late for that )


So? How bout it? I want this to just be a really potent street build with OCCASIONAL strip usage. The suspension work for the road course will come later .

Mostly I need help with the valvetrain, as you can see. I don't know where it's ok to save money, and whats good and whats not and the cam grind and if you want self aligning rockers and who makes good rods etc etc etc . So any valvetrain help would be very much appreciated. Other than that, any little thoughts would also be welcome, and I'd really like to know what it'd run on motor and on spray with some nice drag radials. If Orr is any kinda gauge, I should be hitting 11's, but his cams too crazy for me and his HSR flooooooooooowws.

So any opinions/ideas much appreciated! Thanks guys!
~LMSkyliner

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

No reason you should not be running in the 11's after it is all said and done. Here are some of my thoughts.

"Crower cam (possibly custom grind?? help me out here guys!)
new hydraulic roller lifters (crower?)
new stronger pushrods (brand?)
New 1.6 full roller rockers (http://tinyurl.com/6ebgow)"

1. I would go with a custom cam. You will have good exhaust flow with those heads and the Dyno Don headers. So you don't need much more exhaust duration than the intake if any. I think something on the order of a 230/234 would suffice. This all depends on where you want to make peak horsepower. If you take away from the exhaust you can add it to the intake and keep the same overlap. Such as 232/232.

Personally I have gone with Mike Jones Camshafts with execellent results. Phone 704-489-2449. Email: jrctechgroup@bellsouth.net

2. Go with the new LS7 lifters. The are cheap and very very good. Part number is 12499225. You can spin them to 7000+ rpms. They can be had for like $121 at Summit.

3. Get the strongest pushrod you can get. I like Terry Manton's #4. They are priced right. Terry Manton can be reached at 951-245-6565.

4. Personally I would go with the 7/16" rocker stud. Then get the appropriate rocker arm. I think you can get the Harland Sharp rocker arms cheaper than the ones listed. Put the saved money toward the custom cam. Probably come out even.

Regarding the First intake. There is a thread on here recently about how he is opening up the runners and intake manifold of the First. You might want to take a look at it. Lots of potential with the First intake system.

88IROC350TPI

Call Cam Motion... They're only a few more bucks than a typical off-the-shelf cam and I guarantee you will not regret it. I'd stay clear of those bigger cam companies when it comes to custom grinds - the people you talk to on the phone are just people staring at a dyno simulation program, every time you call them you'll get a different recommendation.

LMSkyliner

iTrader: (1)

Good good info so far, thanks a ton. I will look into some of those smaller companies for sure. I never really thought about the whole big vs small company thing. The lifters are good advice too, I forgot they are compatible.

I'm assuming with the advice that the 1.6 rockers are the right choice? If so i'll try to follow what you said.

on the exhaust side, if the 3" catback turns out to be a restriction, I have already planned a switch to a single 3.5" with a magnaflow 3.5" ID dual 2.5" OD muffler with 3.5" IDOD cat (yes its for gasoline engines. Its on their site, i was surprised someone made a cat that big). But thats only if the 3" is too small.


and finally, my RPM range and intake. I was thinking i (wishful thinking here) would like a 1500 - 6000 cam maybe... I didn't want to shift beyond maybe 6100-6300. Not really sure though, i'm not very good with RPM ranges. I just want it to make power from cruising speed for street use, but still be good on the strip.

If i wasn't happy with the FIRST's HP up high, i was going to look into getting a professional to port it out and move the RPM band up. I'm not sure that will be necessary though. Either way i know there is huge potential with this system, that's why I'm planning on buying it.

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

Yes, 1.6 rocker arms. I'm using the Magnaflow 12909 3.5 inch muffler on my Mufflex 3.5" system.

LMSkyliner

iTrader: (1)

What should i be looking at for machining and balancing costs???? I was gathering quotes from some local shops and the first guy to get back to me is hhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiighh..... Alot higher than what a few people told me I'd be paying. I mean.. It's a good shop, but this good??? man i dont know.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

what they quote you?

you should make it easy on yourself and buy my cam, get hsr and use my MAF/tune and be mid 11's all day. Might as well since you may be using my pistons, my nitrous kit and maybe my MAF cai setup

I'd let that motor be done by 6000-6100. My hsr peaks around 6300, shift by 6500. Let yours shift by 6000-6100 and make peak by 5800-6000. With heads and proper cam, you'll make near as much power as i did if not the same, and make more torque to boot. Then comes the spray

LMSkyliner

iTrader: (1)

Heres what they gave me:

"
Hi Doug,
I’ll try to briefly answer your questions, but it’s difficult. Everything we do is time based, and as a result - estimates are truly more speculation than fact. But here goes:
Bore & Hone Block - $175.00 - $200.00
Convert Block To Aftermarket Splayed Main Caps - $300.00 to $350.00
Align Bore Main Bearing Journals - $200.00 - $250.00 * Keep in mind this would have to be done on a factory 4 bolt block also if converting to studs – different fasteners may affect the concentricity of the bores
Balance Reciprocal Assembly - $250.00 - $275.00
Clearancing Block For Stroker Crank – Time (Hours) X $80.00 * This is impossible to estimate because it involves trial fitting, clearancing, cleaning, re-fitting, and repeating the process until finished.
Short Block Assembly With Paint - $400.00 - $600.00
Complete Assembly With Tinwork, Paint, Wires, Etc. - $1,000.00 to $1,500.00
** Also keep in mind that connecting rod type, piston design, and camshaft profile all affect internal clearances**
Our rates may seem high if compared to general mechanics, but our work is all performed by machinists who are master engine builders. They are meticulous, thorough, precise, and experienced. I am confident that you won’t find anyone in our area able to perform better work for your money. I hope this was of some help, and thanks for your inquiry. Have a pleasant day, and if you require further information – please don’t hesitate to contact me!"









I sent them an email back about some of the stuff so we'll see

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

who's shop is that?

LMSkyliner

iTrader: (1)

"Bolland Machine"

and I would love your MAF sensor btw.. Don't you dare throw that thing out! I need it if even just to have a working one, even if i needa convert it back to stock!!


And i still want my FIRST system. It's true love!! You wouldn't ask me to have a mere fling with an HSR would you?!


edit: also, talking to my dad, he has 3 shops in mind. please don't kill me for spelling, I havn't researched em yet!

he's looking at Evanuex (Avanuex?), Bob George Racing (We both know Bob George personally, but his shops more of a big block shop, and mostly mopars if not BBC's.), and this little napa shop in the middle of no where with some 70+ machinist there that still does things the old way.

He also said NO DLK auto parts. They messed up our buddies 69's SS's heads.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

cool, that works. Good luck with the shop of choice.

Since my car is done for the year, i hope to start working on it. I'll be taking the nitrous off and storing that on the side, let me know if you want it and when you want it. Hope to get my motor out and get those pistons out too as soon as i can get time to do it. I'll let you know

LMSkyliner

iTrader: (1)

Yea.. I have a feeling we'll go with Bob George just cause we know him. Plus he's used to building 8-10 second 400,500+ cubic inch crazy engines. Surely he can build a 383 small block right!!!

on another note.. My dyno Don exhaust came in yesterday.. Freaking sexy man

LMSkyliner

iTrader: (1)

Man did i mess up the spelling.. The other place is called Evanuik.

Whered you get your engine done justin? How were the prices?

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

Golen engine service. I just bought a crate shortblock preassembled. It wasnt cheap but its quality work. it was like 3900 or so shipped to my door. A local shop more than likely could have built the same motor for abit less and definately saved me like 360 on shipping but i'm happy with it. the reputation of that shop is good and Chad Golen was great to talk to and I still chat with me about the engine and build advice for other setups