Ok My tired 5.7 TPI is in need of help 154,000 miles.

I don't want a monster motor, just enough to beat a few 4th gens and all mustangs.

Here's my plan (keep in mind i'm on a VERY LIMITED budget)

Basic bottom end rebuild
Either the Stealth Ram or John's Lt1 conversion
Ported stock heads with bigger valves 2.02 1.60 put in guide plates and 3/8" screw in studs 1:6 roller rockers CC pro magnums
Lt4 HC with appropriate springs retainers etc...

Now I have to do this in stages (it's a budget thing) I figure I'd do the intake first, will my stock stuff run OK with either intake? Then when I save enuff do the heads. still ok??? then save enuff for the cam springs and rockers. by this time my car should be ready to paint then I can pull the motor and do the bottom end while its getting painted.

I know every one is gonna say get the AFR's but I can't afford heads. As it is i'm breakin the bank.

I need to start sellin crack or somethin for extra cash

 

I'd say do the heads first. Two reasons for this:

1) You'll get a good power increase without hurting your low-end power/torque.

2) You'll have to remove the intake anyway to remove the heads. When you get around to doing your intake which I suggest doing third, you won't have any problems with hard gaskets and seized bolts. Plus you'll have that first R&R under your belt so the second time around it'll be a breeze.

Then do the cam, then do the intake.

 

If you want to beat LS1's you're going to need more than ported stock heads unless you're one of the VERY few, VERY elite porters out there.

better chances with alum l98's, best chance with aftermarket.

 

LS1's are out of reach but not the LT1's If I could afford heads I would. Maybe next year I'll get some Pro Action heads

 

How is a 13.40 1/4 mile out of reach?

 

I would start from the bottom up. If your heads open up the power you could mess the bottom side up (bearings, rings, rods....) I would save my money, take a look at that side of the engine and then work on the heads, intake manifold... side of the engine. Don't forget, more power means: more stress to your transmission, ujoints, rearend, just something to think about when you are upgrading for more horses and torque...
Good luck in which ever direction you go,
Rudy

 

That's true. On a 150k+ mile motor, wear becomes a factor in those decisions. Assuming a freshly rebuilt motor (or block as it were), I'd stand by what I said. But taking that into account (which I should have since you said it in your first post), you probably wouldn't be hurt by rebuilding your bottom end first. Of course you wouldn't see any immediate power gains from that (which I assume you wanted too, ) unless you went with pistons that upped your compression ratio a bit.

Answering your subject line, there's no flaw in your plan. But I'd still do the heads first if the bottom end wasn't in question.

 

Thanx for the advice. Iwas planning on doing the top end first and hope the bottom could hold out awhile, but i'm not so sure now. D**n decisions! I know I SHOULD do the bottem end first, but my butt dyno is craving more power!

 

How bout this???? rebuild the shortblock, and for your butt dyno lose the 2.73 gears and get some 3.42's!!!!!