ok, i have a 2 bolt l98 block from 89, i was planning a 383 w/ a modified LTR setup w/ a somewhat mild cam and vortec heads. possibly a blower or and a small shot of NOS down the road. the question is, is it even worth it to use my 2 bolt block? or should i invest in a 4 bolt? ive also heard of girdles that would strengthen a 2 bolt block, are they any good?

 

The 2-bolt block will handle a good amount of power. I would say if you are running a blower with only a small amount of boost, and /or occasionally small nitrous shot, you should be fine. Unless you are running a ton of juice, or a high boost blower, you can run the 2 bolt block without spending alot of money on a 4 bolt block. If you are really intent on making alot of power, the best thing to use is a 2 bolt block and spend the money to get SPLAYED 4 bolt mains added to it. The improvement in strength is very significant over even 4 bolt blocks, if you already have the block and it is in good shape you will end up with something stronger, for possibly less money, depending on the machine shop costs.

 

thanks... i wasnt even aware of such an option... any general idea on how much that would cost?

 

a studded 2 bolt block will handel about 700 HP and a studded 4 bolt about 900 plus no need to 4 bolt it unless its a full blown drag engine, and the splayed caps are only a good investment on a really decked out 400 as the mains are not as meaty to take a 4 bolt like the 350 and smaller blocks.

 

so a 2 bolt 350 w/ forged internals will hold up to higher 10s? i realize the combo i mentioned cant likely do that but i want leway incase i do other things to increase power. keep in mind this is a street car, not a non-street legal drag car.

 

My Machine shop guy, who used to sponsor a Circle track car, claimed that they broke as many 4Bolt main engines as 2 Bolt Main Engies, He said there was a little improvement, but not enough to go have a party over.

The 2 Bolt Main problem the Mains are weeker, But On a 4 Bolt since there are 2 Bolts reletivly close together, it seemed to be a week spot for the 4 bolts in the block.

Hey, its his experience, I am only relaying what I have spoken to him about.

John

------------------
G O D BLESS AMERICA
<a> href="http://www.3rdgenformula.com"><img border="0" src="http://www.usol.com/~okfoz/images/3rdgenformulacombanner.jpg" alt="Go to 3rdgenformula.com web page" width="225" height="76"></a>
http://www.3rdgenformula.com
87 Formula 5.1 TPI Auto Modified (Yellow/Black)
87 Formula TPI (5 Speed) Yellow/Gray STOCK
14.8sec 1967 Buick Riviera
1990 Buick Riviera
83 Camaro
83 T/A

[This message has been edited by okfoz (edited October 31, 2001).]

 

When I built my recent 355 I was quoted $550 -$600 to splay a 2 bolt block.The owner of the machine shop I had my work done at said I would be better of putting that money into forged internals and running a factory 4 bolt if I was that worried about it.He builds numerous circle track 358's that turn 7,000 rpm and pump out an average of 625 dynoed hp on a factory 4 bolt.I would not worry about your 2 bolt,have it checked out and cleaned up and spend your money elsewhere.

------------------
1982 Z28:355,4 Speed,Lots of bolt ons

[This message has been edited by onebad82z (edited October 31, 2001).]