new engine options....

[CLABORN1960]

Okay. That's about what I spent, five years ago, to have a fantastic, custom 406 built.....

then the headers and 3" exhaust so it would exhale ($1400 + mufflers)

new intake, injectors and more so it would inhale (over a grand)

then the $2000 chip/tune, custom, to get it all to run and yield mega torque

then the tranny: total rebuild, at 105k miles, plus there's all that extra torque (a mere $500)

then the overdrive: total rebuild, at 105k miles, plus there's all that extra torque ($1400)

then the car overheated: all that extra power (previously, torque)

then the no-start: damn red top Optimas(2 bad; new)

then the rear end broke: there's all that extra torque 2 1/2x stock ('nother $1200)

then, no power brakes: 9" vacuum (electric hydro boost) $920

Ken (R.I.P., pal) almost quit and sold it all, as did RichR and I, just before it all came together. Absolutely, I am not trying to discourage... just have your eyes open to reality which some of us lived. My real total was over $13000, some of which you won't need. Oops, I forgot to add in the BeCool and Flow Cool parts. (another $700 or so).

I hear you, and that's why I wanted to put it out there to get all the real world costs and snags before undertaking the project.... I know it would be simply buying a built motor and bolting it in, there is the whole system to consider...

In researching the supercharger thing it looks tempting but seems to have its own dark side and complexities that may not be worth it (to me) for a daily driver.....

 

[Sunstroked]

I'm going to be upgrading my 92's Lt1 this yr. My goal is 400 rwhp. I had mine dyno'd a couple of weeks ago to get a baseline reading. 273 rwhp, 315 torque. 105k miles. Ok so what I've learned is installing an LS engine into the C4 can certainly be done, but involves a lot of headaches that I'm not sure I want to deal with.
Chevy Hi performance magazine had a pretty good article on the LT1 recently in which they stated that a good porting job on the factory heads combined with a bigger cam can achieve 400 rwhp. Now thats a lot of h.p. from an untouched block.
Being as though you have over 200k miles, simply installing a supercharger on your engine may be too much for it. I'm leary of doing it on mine with less than 1/2 of your mileage.
I guess what I'm saying is pull the engine and rebuild, keep it basic. Were not reaching for the stars, just getting it back to within specs. Then work on the heads, maybe an edlebrock intake, and a good street cam. With some bigger injectors, a good catback exhaust and headers I think we can achieve our goal. 400 rwhp, decent gas mileage, and no worrys. Thats my plan anyway.

 

[Sunstroked]

I should note that the peak h.p. was made at only 4500 rpm. Then it just kind of flat lined all the way up to 5700 rpm where I let up. The owner of dyno shop told me that the engine needs to breathe. He also said the potential is there. I'm not rebuilding the lower end yet, at least I dont think I will unless I see something when I get the heads off. But it will be interesting to see what these engines are capable of with a little work.

 

[CLABORN1960]

I'm going to be upgrading my 92's Lt1 this yr. My goal is 400 rwhp. I had mine dyno'd a couple of weeks ago to get a baseline reading. 273 rwhp, 315 torque. 105k miles. Ok so what I've learned is installing an LS engine into the C4 can certainly be done, but involves a lot of headaches that I'm not sure I want to deal with.
Chevy Hi performance magazine had a pretty good article on the LT1 recently in which they stated that a good porting job on the factory heads combined with a bigger cam can achieve 400 rwhp. Now thats a lot of h.p. from an untouched block.
Being as though you have over 200k miles, simply installing a supercharger on your engine may be too much for it. I'm leary of doing it on mine with less than 1/2 of your mileage.
I guess what I'm saying is pull the engine and rebuild, keep it basic. Were not reaching for the stars, just getting it back to within specs. Then work on the heads, maybe an edlebrock intake, and a good street cam. With some bigger injectors, a good catback exhaust and headers I think we can achieve our goal. 400 rwhp, decent gas mileage, and no worrys. Thats my plan anyway.

you are right.... I have done alot more reading since I initially posted, and I am going to buy a 396 stroker, put on headers,do the tranny upgrades, change the rear end to a 3:07, and call it a day... That will probably do it for me.....

 

[JamesRS2000]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogue
Does your Corvette pass CA emissions?

Yup, with a brand new cat. I would go with a milder cam, next time, and have less issues. Hardest part is finding an experienced and competent chip guy to make it all run.

How do you pass CA emissions with long tube headers? As soon as the smog cops see them they have given everyone I know a no pass on the smog.

 

[wrenchmantee]

Hey,Claborn....I agree you should upgrade to the 383 Stroker kit, But do it all with your block! Numbers matching could mean more bucks later if go down the resell road. But if you want something out of the ordinary, I'll bring over the mig-welder and the fluke meter and you get the beer! we'll put a 4.6 ford mustang engine to match them wheels! LOL...