Long-Term Build Thoughts
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 363
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville, AL
Long-Term Build Thoughts Here's one possible plan, let me know what you think.
FYI: My car has 135K on it, but still runs well. See sig for current mods. It's mostly a weekend warrior with a few trips to the drag strip a year.
Stage 1:
I want to do heads and cam with future growth in mind.
Probably one of the as-cast options: PRC 225 or TFS 220
A mild cam matched to a stock cube engine. 228R range
Stage 2:
At some point i'm sure the bottom end will start to go, so I'd like to do a stroker kit at this point. Maybe TSP's 383 kit.
If needed, I could get the as-cast heads ported for the additional cubes.
A healthier cam would probably be in order as well. Upper 230's
A fast intake would likely make a difference at this point.
Sound like a good plan or no? Trying not to do duplicate mods and burn money unnecessarily.
FYI: My car has 135K on it, but still runs well. See sig for current mods. It's mostly a weekend warrior with a few trips to the drag strip a year.
Stage 1:
I want to do heads and cam with future growth in mind.
Probably one of the as-cast options: PRC 225 or TFS 220
A mild cam matched to a stock cube engine. 228R range
Stage 2:
At some point i'm sure the bottom end will start to go, so I'd like to do a stroker kit at this point. Maybe TSP's 383 kit.
If needed, I could get the as-cast heads ported for the additional cubes.
A healthier cam would probably be in order as well. Upper 230's
A fast intake would likely make a difference at this point.
Sound like a good plan or no? Trying not to do duplicate mods and burn money unnecessarily.
TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,481
Likes: 5
From: PA/MD
If it was me I'd look for a great deal on iron 6.0, or if the 100 lbs turns you off from that and ls2 block.
Then bore/ stroke to get a 402-408 bottom end with the best parts you can afford with pistons to match you end build compression.
After the bottom end is built start saving for your idea of a perfect head/cam package.
Then last thing for me would be intake, tb and fuel upgrades.
Firming the whole build you could be driving your car with the motor it has in it till your ready to swap complete motors, then sell your ls1 to recoup money spent or keep it as a backup
Then bore/ stroke to get a 402-408 bottom end with the best parts you can afford with pistons to match you end build compression.
After the bottom end is built start saving for your idea of a perfect head/cam package.
Then last thing for me would be intake, tb and fuel upgrades.
Firming the whole build you could be driving your car with the motor it has in it till your ready to swap complete motors, then sell your ls1 to recoup money spent or keep it as a backup
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: tacoma wa
I would build a motor on the side exactly how you want. If you do plan one and the bottom let's go then there is a possibility you could damage your heads. Doing another block is just smarter because you can still drive the car until your ready for the motor swap.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 363
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville, AL
Yeah, building a motor on the side is definitely the way to go if you can. But budget and...well garage space won't allow it for me. Plus I'd like to have a head/cam car for a while.
