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Old Apr 14, 2026 | 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by UnZFeat'd
So would the consensus here be that I just need to gap new rings and dont worry about main bearings? The engine and trans are both just sitting here on stands, so I wanted to take advantage of what I could.
Gap the rings, leave the main/rod bearings if they look good.
Give the cam bearings a good inspection but know that they will look bad when they really aren't.
Bearing Down: Diving Into GM LS and LT-series Cam Bearings
Stud the heads, I'd upgrade the oil pump too.
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Old Apr 14, 2026 | 04:37 PM
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Shewww we Bumblebee brothers? lol

I think go for 9s as long as you have enough fuel system. We reused my cam and main bearings in my 5.3 looked fine. I am running head studs and since the 799s were sourced separately we had them decked just to be sure.

Last edited by Pro Stock John; Apr 14, 2026 at 06:24 PM.
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Old Apr 14, 2026 | 06:13 PM
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What mileage is on your lq4 ? Asking because I did not gap my rings and it saw 17lbs on a couple of track days last yr with no issues, on a buddies lq4 of about the same 180k miles we checked 1 cyl , it was at .023" top ring and saw 14-15 lbs for a season with no issues , both ran W/M though and the cooling effect of that in the chamber would definitely reduce ring temps and help to keep rings from butting. I'm no stranger to building engines and gapping rings but thought I would try without hoping the mileage would open them a bit and it's been fine . Also figured I wouldn't be going over 12lbs or so - we know how that goes LOL. Have another lq4 here that is going to get ring gap , home ported heads , ls9 gaskets , cam brgs and probably arp or stock bolts . One experienced member here likes to use stock bolts to act as a relief of sorts , lift the head a touch before breaking s*** . Not trying to talk you out of doing the work , just saying that some of it may be unnecessary. Is your 7875 one with the .96 ar housing? If so I think you should plan on it running out of steam over 6000rpm so cam accordingly, mine might run out cause of the tiny cam 214/214 cam motion with pac1218s . A great street combo that would probably run low 11s with the stock converter and current tune but is running 10.67 with a ptc , dont remember the exact specs but it will stall about 3000 or so , maybe higher if traction was better . Anyway, that's all, with a RW of 4450lbs and bad aerodynamics, thinking you'll be about 36 -3700 with driver and much better aero so you could probably hit 9s with my combo and maybe 3.25 or lower and 26-28 " tires and probably hit 135mph . Hope this helps
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Old Apr 15, 2026 | 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Pro Stock John
Shewww we Bumblebee brothers? lol

I think go for 9s as long as you have enough fuel system. We reused my cam and main bearings in my 5.3 looked fine. I am running head studs and since the 799s were sourced separately we had them decked just to be sure.
Haha what year is yours mine is a 74. Im here in CA so have to go smog exempt. Planning on putting a couple parts of the build into some episodes for my show, so I just dont wanna be mid build and realize I need something else and it sits for a few weeks.

Ideally, id like to get the Trans built in a long weekend, and the engine built in a dofferent long weekend.
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Old Apr 15, 2026 | 01:04 PM
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Originally Posted by GMCGreg
What mileage is on your lq4 ? Asking because I did not gap my rings and it saw 17lbs on a couple of track days last yr with no issues, on a buddies lq4 of about the same 180k miles we checked 1 cyl , it was at .023" top ring and saw 14-15 lbs for a season with no issues , both ran W/M though and the cooling effect of that in the chamber would definitely reduce ring temps and help to keep rings from butting. I'm no stranger to building engines and gapping rings but thought I would try without hoping the mileage would open them a bit and it's been fine . Also figured I wouldn't be going over 12lbs or so - we know how that goes LOL. Have another lq4 here that is going to get ring gap , home ported heads , ls9 gaskets , cam brgs and probably arp or stock bolts . One experienced member here likes to use stock bolts to act as a relief of sorts , lift the head a touch before breaking s*** . Not trying to talk you out of doing the work , just saying that some of it may be unnecessary. Is your 7875 one with the .96 ar housing? If so I think you should plan on it running out of steam over 6000rpm so cam accordingly, mine might run out cause of the tiny cam 214/214 cam motion with pac1218s . A great street combo that would probably run low 11s with the stock converter and current tune but is running 10.67 with a ptc , dont remember the exact specs but it will stall about 3000 or so , maybe higher if traction was better . Anyway, that's all, with a RW of 4450lbs and bad aerodynamics, thinking you'll be about 36 -3700 with driver and much better aero so you could probably hit 9s with my combo and maybe 3.25 or lower and 26-28 " tires and probably hit 135mph . Hope this helps
I actually have no clue how many miles are on it, but id say over 200k. I was driving the truck around for a while that had it in it, and it ran fine. The truck ended up having registration issues so i have bo idea if the mileage is correct. It said 188k on it. I like the optimism!
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Old Apr 15, 2026 | 01:29 PM
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I have a yellow '67.
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Old Apr 15, 2026 | 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Pro Stock John
I have a yellow '67.
ive always wanted a 1st Gen Camaro. When the dude crashed his in Remember the Titans, I felt it through the screen.
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