My baby finally spun a bearing. Now the "budgeted" fun can begin. Do to another project car I have and one that I'm saving up for, rebuilding the LB9 in my 92 GTA needs to be done on a reasonable budget, I was going to do an entire LS2/6-spd auto swap but decided on saving to buy another car I've always wanted. Anyway, here are some things I'm considering and I would like feedback in regards to them...

Stroker kit? What like a 335ci or something?
Forged internals - This is a MUST for the Procharger I'll be adding in a year or so
Crankshaft - I should be ok with a good stock one right? How much HP can they handle under boost?
Heads - do I port the stock ones or find some old AFR 305 heads or just get some Edlecraps or something?

Finally, why don't I go with a 350 or a 400? Simple, intake manifold. I have a 52mm TB, stock plenum, SLP runners, & an Accel base. I'm going to port match everything while it's off but there is no way it's enough to feed a 383/396/400/406 etc. and I don't see any reason to go to a 350/355 and spend all that extra money on a new block and machine work with very little HP/TQ gain VS a 400 or something which I'd need a crazy intake for. Remember, I'm in smog **** Cali, lol.

Thoughts? Thanks! Alex

 

A stroker kit ins't a bad idea, look up tunedport 335. He used the kit on his car with nice results.

Forged internals are never a bad idea. But if you are going to replace the motor not to far from now you might not want to spend the money.

The stock crankshaft would be ok under low boost and moderate power levels,but if you went with the stroker kit a new crank would be included.

As for the heads maybe some vortec heads or edelbrock e-tecs. Jut make sure to check whether or not they will be smog legal.

Hope this helps, Chris

 

Thanks for the reply. I don't plan on replacing the motor soon until atleast this rebuild blows years down the road so the forged parts won't be waste. Also if I'm going to throw on a power adder then it sounds like the stroker kit with the forged internals is the way to go anyway since I'll gain displacement (HP), stroke (TQ), and have the forged parts. I'll just have to look into the kits more before I decide on a 327 or a 335, etc.

As far as heads, I'm going to start fishing the classifieds for a set of old AFR 305's heads that they used to make. If I'm lucky and can track down a set then that will be **** and beer, lol. If not then I'll look into ported vortecs.

I'm also thinking about throwing in the cam I'll be using with the super charger at the time of rebuild rather then doing more work when I install the SC'r. Plus that will motivate me to get the SC'r quicker, lol.

Do you guys think it would also be worth the money for a LW flywheel and a 9" TQ converter at the time of rebuild or to just wait for the SC'r? I already have a 12" 2400RPM stall with the stock flywheel right now but that won't match the specs of the engine after this rebuild, no where close, since it was designed for my SLP only package mods. Anyone know what a 9" vigilante or yank goes for along with a LW flywheel these days?