newbie needs help
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, OH
Car: '87 Camaro LT
Engine: 355 L98
Transmission: T56
newbie needs help
Hope someone can answer some questions for me. First off, I'm looking to get my first thirdgen in a few months and I want to build an engine for it. This will be a daily driver that I'd like to take to the strip and still have good street manners. I want to get one w/a t5 already in it and no engine or if it doesnt have a trans i'll get a t56. if i get a t56 i'll try to get a low geared rear like 4.10 and then i could still get decent mileage.
Now for the engine. Starting budget will be around $1500. I can get a 400 that's been sitting for 15 years for close to nothing if not free from a friend. I'll get it machined and bored .030. Here's what I've been told would be a good setup: Forged pistons, stock rods if they check out to be strong by the shop, pink if not, ARP rod bolts, cam with 2000-6000 power band, 26-30# injectors, centerforce flywheel, machined stock heads. For the intake I might go with an LT1 with 730 ecm and custom chip or if that doesnt work out, start with a carb and save for miniram. I'd like the compression to be between 9 and 9.5:1 Exhaust will come later so I'm not worried about that yet. I'll have a shop do the assembly because I've had minimal experience building engines.
So, what do you guys and gals think? Will a t5 hold up to this engine? Fuel mileage estimates? I've been told that I might have cooling problems with this setup, any way around that or just watch the temp? Will it pass emissions? Any price estimates on the engine build up? What are some good sites to learn about engine building?
Sorry about the long post but thanks a lot for any help.
Now for the engine. Starting budget will be around $1500. I can get a 400 that's been sitting for 15 years for close to nothing if not free from a friend. I'll get it machined and bored .030. Here's what I've been told would be a good setup: Forged pistons, stock rods if they check out to be strong by the shop, pink if not, ARP rod bolts, cam with 2000-6000 power band, 26-30# injectors, centerforce flywheel, machined stock heads. For the intake I might go with an LT1 with 730 ecm and custom chip or if that doesnt work out, start with a carb and save for miniram. I'd like the compression to be between 9 and 9.5:1 Exhaust will come later so I'm not worried about that yet. I'll have a shop do the assembly because I've had minimal experience building engines.
So, what do you guys and gals think? Will a t5 hold up to this engine? Fuel mileage estimates? I've been told that I might have cooling problems with this setup, any way around that or just watch the temp? Will it pass emissions? Any price estimates on the engine build up? What are some good sites to learn about engine building?
Sorry about the long post but thanks a lot for any help.
Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 319
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore Maryland U.S.A
Car: 92Z28,98LegacyGT,ZX9R,91 Z28,02 Z71
Engine: 350,307,2.5,900cc,5.0
Transmission: 700r4,4spd auto,700r4,4L80
Axle/Gears: 323,?,323,?,373
You have a good idea.But with a 400ci
motor you should not build a hi revving
motor.Try to get a complete car.It would
be cheaper to find a complete car that has
a bad motor or trans.If you get a T5 baby
it or buy a ritchmond or convert it to a
6 speed.The stuff you want to do will ad up
so get a plan,Resurch it,and tyr to talk with someone who has already done it.What
ever you do keep it emissions legal.If you get a T.P.I car use the stock TPI until you
can afford to upgrade.You may want to get a set of 24lb injectors.Just take you time and do it right the first time.Good Luck
motor you should not build a hi revving
motor.Try to get a complete car.It would
be cheaper to find a complete car that has
a bad motor or trans.If you get a T5 baby
it or buy a ritchmond or convert it to a
6 speed.The stuff you want to do will ad up
so get a plan,Resurch it,and tyr to talk with someone who has already done it.What
ever you do keep it emissions legal.If you get a T.P.I car use the stock TPI until you
can afford to upgrade.You may want to get a set of 24lb injectors.Just take you time and do it right the first time.Good Luck
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