I need suggestions. Don't have very much money for a major rebuild, but it has to be done soon. Unfortunately, I don't have time to save enough for the ZZ4 short block I want.
First off, it's an '88 L98 350 TPI motor. For now, I'm thinking a hone job on the cylinders and replacing the hypercrap pistons with domed pistons for higher compression. I've got a .525 .525 219/219 112cl cam sitting here to replace the stock cam. My whole TPI plenum, runners, and base are all ported and port matched.
Anyway, if I do go with domed pistons, what kind should I use?

 

There are better short blocks out there and cheaper...Blue printed and presision balanced, which the GM isn't. Just do a search on the web and go with a reliable company...as for warranty..24K not much, any ways, for a engine nowadays. If you got stock heads, the .525" lift is going too need some different springs or machining, I would think, check it though.
Hope this helps ya and good luck.

 

What do you mean by "hypercrap" pistons? If you are referring to "hypereutectic", your L98 didn't come with them. Perhaps someone put them in at a later time, but, L98's came with cast pistons. If you mean "hyper-", as in more or higher, and "-crap", as in no good, so they're "more than no good", perhaps you've got a case. In general, though, hypereutectic pistons are superior to cast.

Domed pistons are old-tech. Flame travel is poor, and offsets the benefits of higher compression. If you want to raise compression, zero deck the block, shave the heads, and use D-relief pistons with modified chamber-shape heads.

Unless you are absolutely sure you have zero taper in the cylinders, honing-only isn't too good of an idea. Rebore and finish hone a much better idea for high compression.

That cam sounds like too much for stock runners. Or, do you have aftermarket runners? The TPI computer may not be too happy with it, either.

 

Okay, here's what I've got.

Ported and port matched: stock intake base, stock plenum, SLP runners. Runners and plenum are already on the car. Also have a Dynomax cat-back.

Awaiting install: .525/.525 219/219 112cl Lingenfelter cam, intake base mentioned above, ceramic coated Hooker shorties

I know I'll need higher lift springs for the cam and I'm replacing all the pushrods and valve seals as well. I'm also putting 1.5 roller tip rockers in.
I've been told it'll be a good setup. I'm also sprucing up my spare 700r4 with a shift kit, corvette servo, and a 2600 (I think) convertor.

Really the only thing I want to know is, should I bother with the domed pistons? I've heard someone makes higher decked flat top pistons with valve reliefs that I can use instead. I do want forged because I possibly might run a little happy juice through it on the track.