87GN&98VET

Hello all - I'm new to this forum and I'm seeking some advice. I'm getting ready to do a H/C conversion on my 98 Vette. I'd like to go with a fairly aggressive cam (not a daily driver but is a purely street car), but I'm concerned with the rev. capability of the 98 block. The bigger cams (high 230's and upper .500's) give the bigger power band in the higher revs, but since the block doesn't have the cutouts in the bulkhead for bay-to-bay breathing to reduce windage and the fact that the con rod bolts are not the best I'm very concerned with running in the higher power band. I really don't want to go into the bottom end to replace rod bolts or change blocks. How many of you guys are running the older blocks (pre 2000 I believe) with the bigger cams? Experience any problems?

Thanks,
Sean

luv2spd

iTrader: (1)

I don't think the blocks are a big problem, but the rod bolts are the limiting factor. I think as long as you stay under 6600 rpm you'll be fine. I think you'll be good to go with anything under mid 230's duration. I went w/ a 233/233 for my 98.

~JOSHUA

iTrader: (92)

The BEST advice you can get is to upgrade the oil pump!!! They are notorious about failing on the pre '01 years.

Wicked_Hugger99

iTrader: (1)

yea, i think u'll be ok. i went 232/234 but with ARP rod bolts on my 98 TA.

Wicked_Hugger99

iTrader: (1)

what about just using a ported stocker?

~JOSHUA

iTrader: (92)

Sure, as long as it's an '01 + unit..... As you know, porting an old style pump won't help the internals function any better.

blkZ28spt

Get a new "LS6" oil pump. Up until either 00 or 01 the oil pumps are known to just take a crap. I wouldn't rev higher than ~6,600. I have a large cam with redline at 6,800 and shift points (A4) at 6,500. I will eventually have new internal parts, but until then the revs will be kept relatively low.

87GN&98VET

Good stuff. Thanks for the info on the pump. I was just going to port the stock one but it sounds like the LS6 is the way to go.

Wicked_Hugger99

iTrader: (1)

did not know that. thanks for the info

ChucksZ06

iTrader: (9)

No such thing as an ls6 pump. Right....

TroubledWine3

iTrader: (3)

Are you being sarcastic or do you just not know/realize/understand the difference between an "LS1" and "LS6" oil pump? Because a 1997-2000 LS1 oil pump and what vendors market as LS6 oil pump are two different pumps, but GM only sells the LS6 one now and it took over the old pump's part number.

Lvmyz28

iTrader: (1)

I have a farily larg cam in my 98 and no tuning right now. So it only revs to 6200, but I've had the cam for over 10k miles with no problems and quite a bit of reving of the motor was involved!

Slacker

I run my 98z to 6850 with the stock oil pump & rod bolts will no issues so far (numerous passes 50+). Granit it's an auto & the shift's are programed so the RPM's don't ballon like a M6 between gear's. But for peace of mine if you in there, go ahead and change them.

T/A rocker

What size cam you runnin" ?

Lvmyz28

iTrader: (1)

It's the thunder racing reverse split cam 230/224 .575/.563 111 LSA

Zach@Texas-Speed

iTrader: (7)

I have a 235/240 cam in my car right now and dont know how many times its pushed through a shift on a nitrous pass and nailed the 6900 rpm rev limiter and everything has held together this far

the car is a 98' with 105,000 miles on it

87GN&98VET

Wow. That's pushing it. I work for a supplier and we've killed a couple motors already from failures due to the stock rod bolts. We've also killed a couple of LS6s due to broken valve springs so I'll definitely be going to Comp or someone else. I'll probably stay conservative and keep the peak around 6k or so.