well last weekend started the build. got a 355 shortblock from my buddy for free (well sorta, he's takin my motor thats in the car now) it's got around 10k on it. we put the LT4 hotcam in it, vortec heads machined for the bigger springs and screw in studs. topped off with GM 1.6 ratio rockers. GM vortec intake ( for now, will eventually get an air gap) got a holley street avenger 670cfm carb for it. this weekend were lookin to pull my motor and have this motor all but complete ready to go in





more pics on cardomain page in sig... page 8

 

Hey looks good, should make some good numbers. I want to do the same thing to my vortec heads. Good luck with it.

Have a question. What is this thing (circled in the picture)? Is it a sensor or something?

 

Knock sensor

 

Thanks RB,
There is one on the 96 block I just got. Its busted, but I won't need it anyway as I am doing with a carb. I assume one could just plug it and have no problem?

 

i thought that is the engine temp sensor? anyways the engine looks sweet! keep up the good work

 

It should work, if the one you have is a 350 one. It's basically just a little microphone, "tuned" such that it's only responsive to the particular "pitch" that knocking makes in a given bore size. So, a 305 one won't "hear" the knock from a 350, or vice-versa.

But if you're running a non-computerized carb, just use a brass pipe plug; which is what the factory did for all those years before they discovered that it was also for the knock sensor.

The temp sensors are all in the top of the motor, up where it actually gets hot; the heads, and the intake near the water outlet.

 

Nice set up you have there, Flyersman29. I am in the process of putting my 357 with vortec heads as well. I took apart the short block to inspect as well as have the internals balanced. Have replaced the cam bearings and will be installing an LT4 Hot cam. My set up is almost exactly like your except will be using a 454 TBI set up fo rthe induction. Looking for a vortec manifold to work with the setup. Keep us posted on your progress and what HP's # you are able to punch out of your setup.