strictlychevy96

What's up everyone, quick breakdown on what has happened. My 1996 z28 m6 camaro has haven up and given me a bad rod knock. It's time for me to bring it back to life. Only mods to it is pacesetter Long tube headers, pacesetter off road Y pipe and a magnaflow catback 3" all the way! The engine only has 80k original miles but was really abused by the last owner. Now my goal here is to get the best bang for my buck as I'm a college student and tution to pay. I currently have a budget of 5k saved up. I'm looking to bring back an animal in the street that can be a daily driver during summer. Roughly looking to make 380+hp on a stock rear end. I'm also going to rebuild my t56 while I'm at it. Now I need guidance on what way to go 350 stock rebuild or 355. Either or I want performance parts in it at a budget. I was also interested in an LE1 or LE2 package from Lloyd Elliot. Any one have any suggestions on what to do and what to buy. (Appreciated if someone breaks it down on what exactly I need to purchase )

NewOrleansLT1

Stay 350.. $5,000 can only go so far..

strictlychevy96

Thumbs up to that!
Any suggestions on what to purchase to add onto the engine while it is out? Best bang for the buck?

NewOrleansLT1

A new clutch along with your heads and cam package

96LT1Z

The money adds up fast so do what you want with it, just don't get carried away. I'm sure plenty of us can tell you that

bufmatmuslepants

iTrader: (3)

Step 1 is call machine shops in your area and ask for reviews from forums on local sbc machine shops. Get a breakdown of all pricing individually:

Hone
If hone isn't enough, 0.030 overbore
Crank polish
If polish wont do it, 0.010 cut
New cam bearings
Resize rods for ARP bolts
Balance rotating assembly
Shortblock assembly

Then tear the shortblock apart yourself, and bring him the parts and let him figure out if the crank can be saved, and if the block can get away with just a hone.

If the block can get away with just a hone, there is your answer, stay 350. Pistons cost $400-700, and balance is $200-300. If it can get away with a hone you save $1000. Then resize the rods for ARP bolts, new bearings, rings, 93-94 stock replacement non TTY main and head bolts, and you are good. There are mixed opinions on if you should do ARP main and head bolts, some say ARP mains need a line hone, and ARP head bolts need a torque plate when doing the bore/hone.

If you can get an ARP rod bolt shortblock put together for $1000, then you can do an LE or AI top end and supporting mods with the rest and meet your goals. If it requires an overbore, it needs new pistons, and add another $1000 for work and parts.

Or find a running shortblock on Craigslist for $400

strictlychevy96

Awsome, this is the kind of break down I was looking for. I have been looking for machine shops all I need to do is give them a call.

waltsfastz

iTrader: (4)

Where are you located?

strictlychevy96

I'm Los Angeles, CA.
I'm not worried about emissions, I already had no cats on my car with LTs,ORY, and magna flow catback.
The only problem is finding a good shop around here that is not sneaky