C5R Experts only...tough questions.
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From: Atlanta
I'll check it out. I'm interested to see what you did to the 090s to get that kind of power. We ran 090s on mine with a ProCharger and had nothing but detonation issues. Even blew out a freeze plug on the street!
Before this incredible piece of GM racing history slips off into oblivion there are a few things I'd like to know. If I can't get the answers here, I'll give up. I'm talking about the 427 and not the earlier smaller version.
First, when was the first engine (working prototype?) built? I know Schwartz (?spelling) built the blocks and even the C5R heads but they did not (I asked them) finish the heads. Who did? Katech says it's not them. Who prepared the heads for final use?
The piston? When and who built and/or designed the first ones? Diamond? JE? Maybe Schwartz again?? And is there a difference in the C5R 427 piston and any other GM 4.125" piston? In other words would the piston you would put in a sleeved LSx engine be the same or would the C5R not clear the reluctor ring or whatever? How much difference between the C5R piston and the LS7?
Who was the first piston builder to make them available and when? I think this was in '01 but not sure. Again, is there anything unique to the C5R piston that would make it applicable to only the C5R or is it still an off the shelf piece.
Any other historical facts of links would be appreciated. thanks
First, when was the first engine (working prototype?) built? I know Schwartz (?spelling) built the blocks and even the C5R heads but they did not (I asked them) finish the heads. Who did? Katech says it's not them. Who prepared the heads for final use?
The piston? When and who built and/or designed the first ones? Diamond? JE? Maybe Schwartz again?? And is there a difference in the C5R 427 piston and any other GM 4.125" piston? In other words would the piston you would put in a sleeved LSx engine be the same or would the C5R not clear the reluctor ring or whatever? How much difference between the C5R piston and the LS7?
Who was the first piston builder to make them available and when? I think this was in '01 but not sure. Again, is there anything unique to the C5R piston that would make it applicable to only the C5R or is it still an off the shelf piece.
Any other historical facts of links would be appreciated. thanks
Several companies have machined the heads over the years. Reher Morrison, CFE, and a little bit by Katech. Katech did do one of the ports used in the race program, but not much.
The first pistons were JE. There is a build sheet for the pistons dated 10/21/97. How much is different from any other GM 4.125 piston? To put it simply, everything but the bore. Later pistons were made by Mahle.
Louis - that's a beautiful car and I would guess a valuable collectors item if you still have it one piece.
My earliest memory of C5R blocks running on the streets were GMMG ZL1s and in fact someone here posted a video of the car, a yellow car owned by a guy named Barnhart (?) in 2002 I think. But, I've got to think the really big tuners and people like LPE and Katech had some street C5Rs out before that. Or for that matter probably some LS1.tech sponsors had them on the street by 2001. As a matter of fact I bought a pair of used C5R heads right here on LS1.tech in July or so 2002. These were used Katech heads, according to the guy I bought them from, and were set up for a solid roller.
I'm not positive on this one but isn't GM bringing the C5R block back? Seems like SDPC has them.
My earliest memory of C5R blocks running on the streets were GMMG ZL1s and in fact someone here posted a video of the car, a yellow car owned by a guy named Barnhart (?) in 2002 I think. But, I've got to think the really big tuners and people like LPE and Katech had some street C5Rs out before that. Or for that matter probably some LS1.tech sponsors had them on the street by 2001. As a matter of fact I bought a pair of used C5R heads right here on LS1.tech in July or so 2002. These were used Katech heads, according to the guy I bought them from, and were set up for a solid roller.
I'm not positive on this one but isn't GM bringing the C5R block back? Seems like SDPC has them.
GM will never make the C5-R block again. The tooling is gone. SDPC is out of stock but they can get them from a GM warehouse which has plenty.
Well,I do know the C5R block can take a beating.Pulled one out of a 800rwhp daily driver with 30k miles and a few hundred track passes.Sent it for a rebuild which only needed minimul block work and now it's sitting in my own car.
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From: Orlaanndoooo
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,451
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From: Atlanta
Nicky wrote a very detailed and technical description about the C5R block and why it cost so much.....didn't he?? Seems like he went by 06 Blues or something similar. I do know he sold me my 090 heads.
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