you find any alternative for pistons in your speed-pro catalog for the "budget motor" buildup?

If i milled down the 6.0L aluminum heads .030, would the Escalade pistons still fit with a mild cam? thanks for any info you can come up with!!

Chris

 

Speed Pro catalog still hasnt come in yet, it seems my mail is delivered by one legged bicycle postmen. <img src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" border="0">

Escalade pistons are about $300 and come in stock and +.020 sizes. Hopefully I can find some off the shelf hyper units for <$200. Milling the heads will not effect piston choices unless compression comes into play. The LQ9 (Escalade) pistons are flattops and are probably rated right at what stock pistons are. I would consider these, and any budget piston, an NA-only choice. If your gonna spray go ahead and pend the cash on custom forged pieces. Rods are up to you, but stock is the cheapest <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0"> Since this is the LS1 aftermarket NO ONE WILL EVER MAKE A BUDGET PART, so the stock crank will really be your only choice for a budget build. Off-set grinding the crank will increase the stroke to about 3.71 which gives about 11-14cid, but you will need custom rods (or maybe a lucky find in a rod catalog <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0"> ). '01 6.0L heads are the way to go. They are essentially LS6 heads cast cheaper with more emphasis on mid lift since they are for trucks. DEFINATELY my choice for heads, hands down. For the track with a 4400+ stall mid lift numbers dont mean jack, but around town you'll feel the difference IMO. Realistically you can build a shortblock for about $800 in parts then throw on a decent heads and cam and you will have spent maybe $3200. Not bad for 29 more cid. If you pay the core charges or find some used parts cheap you can have your complete stock motor to sell or keep for another project. If you get a decent deal on the labor you -may- be able to recoup 80-90% of the costs. Thats pretty speculative though.

Also, YOU can save cash by sticking with that Vigi3200. It stalls to 3800 now, with 430ft-lbs+ you'll see 4400rpm. Saves you the cash for a YTP. Also with big torque you may be able to keep high gears in (3.23's) and still get off the line real well.

Just remember to spend the money where it needs to be spent (machine work, heads, broken parts <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0"> ) and not where is doesnt. Budget builds are fun, but remember, you probably wont see the power of these all bore guys or torque of the 4" stroke guys, but you can laugh because you spend 1/10 of what they did (no offense to anyone...im just REAL cheap).


Ryan <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">

 

yeah, i'll end up sticking with the vig cause i do want to spray it. and i'll see where i get from there. but it isn't definite if i'm gonna. i got a hook up for the GM parts so the escalade pistons would be dirt cheap, as well as a pair of NEW heads. so...if i go and mill the heads down and use the escalade pistons, that should net a 11.1 compression ratio or close shouldn't it, cause stock with the escalade pistons is 10.1 or close. but i wouldn't have any piston to valve clearance problems?

Chris

edit-i'd probably be going with a new rear end soon anyways and get a 3.73 installed in it or a similiar ratio. if i sprayed i'd use the 28" tall tires i have now, n/a i got a set of 26" for use obviously. the reason why i wanted to switch convertors is that i wanted something with a higher STR so i could launch even better with the stock gearing. the stall speed i know goes up

[ December 17, 2001: Message edited by: z28kid98 ]</p>

 

youd really have to get with an engine builder or cc your heads to find a good compression numbers/milling number. the 6.0 heads are good in this case because they are already opened up to a 4" bore. may be a little less machine work for a shop to do.


Ryan