I was out tonight slapping around my buddies '96 SS camaro that runs high 12's. And We both took down a Viper at the sam time. Anyway, i was pulling real hard on the camaro and I heard that aweful rod knock sound. So I got towed home.

Here's my dilema. I wanted to get a 383 low compression, blower motor, emmisions legal. Only I can't afford $4,000 right now. The good thing is, I still have a 4bolt, w/ everything, including Trick flow heads and what not. It's just blown up. Anyway, I was thinking of getting new blower pistons, rods, crank, whatever i might need, lower compression, and re-using everything that's not broken on my shortblock. Then, getting my heads checked out for damage and getting an LPE 220 blower cam. Now how much do you think I can get this done for? As far as assembling the shortblock goes and parts. and also, should I go w/ a 383, or is that a lot more. My freind told me i can just go buy a 350 shortblock from GM for like $800, 9:1 compression. what do you think. Please make suggestions. I think I want to use my block, and I want to stay cheap, like under $1000 w/out the cam. Is this possible? can I get my my block redone and assembled for this? I can reuse my pan, my brand new oil pump and whatnot. like i said, I want emmsions legal, and low compression. I have a 15lb, blower pulley that i wouldn't mind using. what are my options? please reply


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SUPERCHARGED 87 GTA: Blk/Gld w/Superam, 355cid Trickflows, forged pistons 9.5:1. Auto 2,600 stall, 3.45 9 bolt disc, Best ET (Nat. Asp.): 13.567 @ 101.900 w/ a poor 60ft. Best mph: 104.3 -*100% NYS emissions legal*
http:// www.community.webtv.net/munks87/JustinsGTApage.com
VORTECH S-TRIM, Install completed 7/9/01: 10 & 15 LB. PULLEYS, HKS race bypass, Swapped to serpentine. Best ET: High 11'S I Hope. Blew up motor 8/25/01 no times recorded.

[This message has been edited by Justin 87 GTA (edited August 26, 2001).]

 

If I were you right now and wanted it done cheaply and quickly Id do this.

Pull the motor. Get rid of your stock pistons. Keep the rods and crank. Have them checked and ground/resized if needed. Have the block checked and bored if needed. Get some TRW forged pistons. They arent as light as a JE or Ross or any other big name forged piston but they will work just fine. Rings, bearings, ARP rod bolts.

Pick your cam. Comp cams is usually cheapest. I paid $250 for my custom grind from them. Call them and tell them what you have, and what you are doing. They will be able to recommend a good cam.


Reassemble and your ready to go.

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-86 IROC
11.31 @ 120.2 mph
-=ICON Motorsports=-

[This message has been edited by Guido (edited August 27, 2001).]

 

I have TRW forged pistons already/ I'm just not sure what is damaged. but I guess I can bring it to an engine shop and they'll tell me right. What do you think it'll cost, and should i have them assemble it. I never did it before, i know its not that hard, but i want it right.

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SUPERCHARGED 87 GTA: Blk/Gld w/Superam, 355cid Trickflows, forged pistons 9.5:1. Auto 2,600 stall, 3.45 9 bolt disc, Best ET (Nat. Asp.): 13.567 @ 101.900 w/ a poor 60ft. Best mph: 104.3 -*100% NYS emissions legal*
http:// www.community.webtv.net/munks87/JustinsGTApage.com
VORTECH S-TRIM, Install completed 7/9/01: 10 & 15 LB. PULLEYS, HKS race bypass, Custom cold air, Swapped to serpentine. Best ET: High 11'S I Hope.

 

Are you sure it is blown up?
Will it start and run?
Have you checked your oil for water in it?
Does it smoke badly through the exhaust?

 

Well, It doesn't smoke, and there is no coolent in the oil.. It is just making a knocking sound, which appears to be coming from the bottom end. I pulled the valve covers and the heads seem to be fine, rockers are working fine, i think. It does run but has a knock. The last time i went to start it it made one loud knock that seemed to shake the whole motor. I then shut it down. I think i spun a bearing. I'm gonna try to use what i have, but maybe get differnt pistons even though mine are forged. I want to get lower compression blower pistons, and a LPE 220 grind cam from comp cams or somebody. But remember, i want to do this cheap as possible (not replaceing anything that i don't have too. So what do you think? what will i need. Also, as it is, I think I only had clearence for about .525-.550 lift cam, I want to have more clearence. What compression ratio will be durable, and run on pump gas w/ NO detonation and up to 15 lbs boost? thanks

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SUPERCHARGED 87 GTA: Blk/Gld w/Superam, 355cid Trickflows, forged pistons 9.5:1. Auto 2,600 stall, 3.45 9 bolt disc, Best ET (Nat. Asp.): 13.567 @ 101.900 w/ a poor 60ft. Best mph: 104.3 -*100% NYS emissions legal*
http:// www.community.webtv.net/munks87/JustinsGTApage.com
VORTECH S-TRIM, Install completed 7/9/01: 10 & 15 LB. PULLEYS, HKS race bypass, Custom cold air, Swapped to serpentine. Best ET: High 11'S I Hope.

[This message has been edited by Justin 87 GTA (edited August 27, 2001).]

 

I am not sure what will run 15psi on pump gas. That is REALLY REALLY REALLY pushing it.

I am running 9.2:1 compression and run a mix of 93 octane and whatever they sell at the track. 110 105 115. It all works. I have never had a problem with pre-detonation.

But when it comes to pump gas, I dont know what to tell you. I think what you should do, is get your car tuned with a wide band o2, and have a PROM burnt. That way, your timing is set and you know what gasoline to run all the time. I personally would not go below 9:1 compression for anything. I like the low end grunt on the street that a middle of the road compression like that can give you. I am willing to accept the fact that I have to run some race gas if I want to make max power. Or not as much timing.

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-86 IROC
11.31 @ 120.2 mph
-=ICON Motorsports=-

 

What I'm not clear about is compression. I saw Speed Pro forged pistons, 8.1:1 compression w/ 66 cc heads, 21 cc D cup. I thougt that that would be my best bet, w/ the Lingenfelter 220 blower cam, or a similar grind, which is meant for the superam and a blower. But this is just my guess. How do i find out what it'll be capable of. Is there a proven combination I can go with? I'm just not clear on how to figure out EXACTLY what to get. Evertime i make decisions, they turn out to be wrong. I want to just do this right the first time, so i need some proven figures. It's likely that i would only use the 15lb pulley at the track w/ race gas. 10lbs on the street. Who can I call? please list combinations that you know work. thanks a lot.

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SUPERCHARGED 87 GTA: Blk/Gld w/Superam, 355cid Trickflows, forged pistons 9.5:1. Auto 2,600 stall, 3.45 9 bolt disc, Best ET (Nat. Asp.): 13.567 @ 101.900 w/ a poor 60ft. Best mph: 104.3 -*100% NYS emissions legal*
http:// www.community.webtv.net/munks87/JustinsGTApage.com
VORTECH S-TRIM completed 7/9/01: 10 & 15 LB. Pulleys, HKS race bypass, serpentine swap. No ET: 8/26/01, Blew motor before track. Rebuild in progess. Beat a freinds 12.9 @ 108 Camaro by A LOT. EST. mid-low 12's as it was. Looking for 11's w/ new motor.

[This message has been edited by Justin 87 GTA (edited August 27, 2001).]