johnnyboy

iTrader: (3)

well i finished installing my lt1 cam and as i knew was going to happen the stock valvetrain can't handle it. so i'm planning on having the heads rebuilt and new springs installed. also going to do new lifters and new rods and maybe rockers but to keep costs down probably not. the cam is from a '95 z28 which is 230 208:duration, .450,.460(lift1.5),.480,.491(lift1.6) 116 lobe 94-95 LT1 STOCK i've never put together a combo for lifters and rods and springs before so can you guys give me your ideas on what would be good for this situation? the heads are just the stock l03 heads but they're going to be ported and the fuel pump is going to be upgraded along with theinjectors andmost likely a performer tbi intake. anything i'm forgetting?
thanks in advance
-John
oh yeah what kind of a budget am i looking at needing here for parts?

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

Are you having issues with the cam lift using a 1.5 ratio rocker? You should be able to use them as-is with the stock rocker ratio. I wouldnt get too obsessed with lift. There is power to be gained there, but youll get into deminishing returns if you have to drop alot of $$$ to get 10 more HP. At a certain point, youd be better off getting aftermarkets. A good DIY port job along with the usual things will help. Id say go for the port job and a basic rebuild if you want to learn as well as pick up some extra power. If your not set up to port heads, then a variable speed grinder and stones will cost around 150 or so on top of the cost of machine work to the heads along with better springs to handle the lift that the 1.6's give.

As for parts, the stock pushrods and lifters should be ok. Just be sure to inspect them beforehand. Good springs are a must. Id say look at springs from comp-cams or some other manufacturer. As for the rocker arms. Similar name brand stamped steel SA rockers (or standard if you have slotted pushrod guides) will have you covered. Better ones like pro-mags would be nice, but are costly. Whatever you do, dont use anything made of aluminum. It doesnt have infinite fatigue resistance like ferrous metals do.

johnnyboy

iTrader: (3)

i would do the work myself but i hardly have time to work on my car now and i'm only working part time and still in hs. graduating this june and gonna be working 2 jobs pretty much full time saving up for school next year and to do whatever i please with the formula. so i stopped in at the local speed shop over here (jan cen motorsports) and inquired about having the heads rebuilt with new springs, a valve job, and a little bit of port work on the exhaust side and he estimated around $600-$700 for the set sounds like a pretty decent deal to me. what do you guys think?

TonyC

iTrader: (1)

I'm using the Powerhouse Z28 springs (with the LT1 cam in the motor). Haven't had any issues yet. Might as well get new valve seals too while you're pulling the springs off.

steve8586iroc

For that kind of money you could pick up a set of ZZ4 heads or aluminum L98 heads on ebay and still have money left over.

Steve

Fast355

iTrader: (2)

7.0 camaro

i've got dart heads with 2.08 1.60's for 650 off racing junk. but on another note. i have an lo3 in my truck and i'm running a lt1 cam. it works just fine. it's my daily driver. you better recheck your setup before you go and spend that kind of cash.

BMmonteSS

For that much money you could pick up a set of brand spakin new vortecs and an intake to boot. You'll gain at least 30hp.

Keep in mind anything you do to increase power is going to increase the need to tune the ECM.

Gallileo60

What problems did you have with the stock valve train????
Did the car not run well, or did you have valve float???
Did track times go up, or down??? Thanks for any answers, Tom

johnnyboy

iTrader: (3)

haven't even driven the car yet, i've got some oil leak problems i need to take care of with the oil pan gasket after putting the timing cover back on and it doesn't seem to be running right. i've changed the timing multiple times setting it back to tdc and pointing the rotor on the distributor. i can hardly adjust the timing, a couple degrees advanced or retarded and it just dies. and i've got a lot of oil spitting out of my breather too for some reason.

johnnyboy

iTrader: (3)

i found a set of 305 vortec heads on ebay for $200 probably going to buy them if that's what you guys are suggesting. and those will bolt on and all i need is a new intake? the heads are off of a 97-99 chevy pickup what advantages do these heads offer?

7.0 camaro

they are a standard coolant flowing lt1 head. the intake ports and combustion chambers are models after the lt1. flow way better than the old double humps

TonyC

iTrader: (1)

Are you sure about that? The 350 casting Vortecs are modeled after the LT1 heads, but as I remember, the 305's are a completely different animal all together. I don't think the 305 Vortec heads are anywhere near as good as the 350 heads, but I could be wrong. Post up a source for that info 7.0 Camaro.

Fast355

iTrader: (2)

You are wrong, the 059 casting 305 vortecs are modeled after the LT1 heads. The chamber is very similar, but slightly smaller and lacks the peak on the rear side. The intake valves are slightly smaller at 1.84 vs. 1.94. The exhaust ports are identical. They run very strong on a 305.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tvay9zOW6hE

johnnyboy

iTrader: (3)

ok so i bought the heads on ebay, they'll be here in a week or two. so what intake is the best bang for the buck? and should i buy a new tbi unit from a 350 or a 454 or a holley unit?

TonyC

iTrader: (1)

Cool thanks Fast, wasn't sure

Gallileo60

Hey fast355, what all did those heads come on?? Thanks, Tom

7.0 camaro

i totaly read that wrong. they are completely different. the only thing i've seen those heads on is a bellsouth work van. i believe it was a 2000 model. they might even still make them. i don't know of any trucks that came with them. if so they are pretty rare. i appoplogize. i didn't read that right. i thought he was just asking about the vortec design, not comparing a 305 vortec to a 350 vortec.

johnnyboy

iTrader: (3)

i really need a suggestion for a good inexpensive intake for this setup

7.0 camaro

when i had my vortecs i had switched to a carb. i used the edelbrock performer rpm. i would see what edelbrock makes for a tbi unit. if you want to stay with that.

johnnyboy

iTrader: (3)

i was looking into either a weiand intake or edelbrock, it doesn't matter if it's a carb or tbi intake because i'll just get a tbi adapter to use on the intake if i have to. has anyone used a weiand stealth vortec intake?

johnnyboy

iTrader: (3)

heads and intake came in yesterday hopefully i'll have some time to work and put it together tomorrow