Okay, as some of you know, I've been going researching my build and gathering ideas. Here's my problem, my engine builder says that you shouln't put a new cam in a 100,000 mile motor. Is he talking just to get me to spend more money with him or am i safe. I bought my iroc back in 2006 with just shy over 86,000 miles. I've kept maintainence up on it and the motor runs strong with no knocks or ticking. Should I rebuild my block, buy a zz4, or just install my heads and cam? I don't really have the money to buy a new zz4 shortblock and that would put me back some months also the guy is wanting to charge $1500 just to rebuild my motor and that doesn't include the heads I want, cam, or rebuild kit, yet alone machine work. I wanted to go to 383ci but due to cost constraints I forced to build a 355.
Here's my build:
'87 L98 with all free mods,Edelbrock TES headers,Pro Built 500hp 700R4,2000stall,Dana 44 rear,FIC 24lb injectors,Walbro 255lph fuel pump,ported TPIS bigmouth intake, ported Edelbrock Runners, BBK 52mm tb, egr delete, and smog delete, Comp Cams 268XFI, 1.6 rr, Crane HI-6 Digital Ignition, Hypertech Stage 2 Chip, Patriot Freedom Series Alu. Heads, MAC 3.5 catback exhaust
Also which would make more power? Comp 268XFI or GM LT4 Hotcam?

 

I did heads/cam/headers/intake on a 305 with 128k miles. Drove it another 13k before putting the 350 shortblock in; ran fine, just wanted more power.

What heads were you thinking about? Ported L98 heads will run with ZZ4 heads all day long.

I think I'd have to give the nod to the Comp cam.

 

wow 1500 for machine work alone!!! i would walk away from that dude. i can understand that the cam bearings have worn with the old cam, but dont see it being a very critical issue. i say slap that biotch in.

where are u at in MO.? if your near kc, call rich at car quest in olathe for your machine work if you rebuild, i had him hot tank, bore, balance rotating asm, clearance block for 3.75 crank, install cam bearings/freezeplugs, recon my pistons and rods+ ordered speed pro plasma moly rings for $875. i assembled it to save like $200. he builds circle track motors all the time and those things are built to be punished. he does very good work and wont bs you.

no need for a new short block, imo they are overrated, and you can yeild better performance in a custom combo to suite your wants/needs.
besides building engines is a great skill to have, lots of fun, and it isnt as hard as most think. outsource the stuff you cannot do without high dollar tools like machine work.

 

I am from Kansas City southside! My engine builder was going to charge me $1500 just to do the work, I'd still have to buy the stroker kit and all other parts involved.
I am planning on using the Patriot Freedom Series heads with the
Comp 268XFI grind, I am also trying to avoid buying a new block, i'd rather put that money into my own block. SO what I'm getting from you guys is this:
GO AHEAD and put in the new cam and heads package.

And to my guy from the 816, how much did it cost you to 383 stroke your ride? Total Cost?
How much would it cost just to rebuild my block and just bore it to a 355?

 

lol,unfourtunatly im in the 913, i have around 3500 to 4000 wraped up in my long block, but you can do it alot cheaper then mine. i would rec getting one of those eagle stroker kits for around 900 to 1000 last i checked.

 

I want to know if its okay to put on the new heads and cam w/o rebuilding the bottom end if its still strong or not?

 

Your engine builder might be thinking that your cam bore is off, similar to how your crank journals may need to be align honed (which is why he's saying don't install it in an engine with high miles). I would just put the cam in it and put the heads on it and go for it. As long as you have over revved that L98 or beat the pi$$ out of it with nitrous the bottom end should be fine.

 

yeah, the bottom end is strong and i havent overrevved it. Never use nos either! I'm going to go ahead with my plans , that'll save me so much money so when the time comes, I can just buy a zz4 shortblock and throw on my top-end and cam.
Thanks!!