Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Billet Main Caps worth the $$$?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 2, 2003 | 11:18 PM
  #1  
2001CamaroGuy's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,766
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ USA
Default Billet Main Caps worth the $$$?

at what point are Billet Main Caps needed (HP level)?

for someone with a MAX 550rwhp and 6500RPM engine, would they do any good?
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2003 | 11:32 PM
  #2  
CAT3's Avatar
Restricted User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 7,603
Likes: 0
From: Sierra Vista, AZ
Default Re: Billet Main Caps worth the $$$?

Yep, theyd give you the extra insurance as well as braggin rights. Do you need them, absolutely not.

And btw have you considered doing an all out ARP Stud kit? You really dont need that either, bolts are just fine.

I see where you are going, maybe you should have posted all of this in one single post. Easier for you to look back on if nothing else.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2003 | 11:35 PM
  #3  
Z-Rated's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 0
From: Friendswood TX
Default Re: Billet Main Caps worth the $$$?

on a roll tonight arent you Chris
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2003 | 11:35 PM
  #4  
Smoke_Ford's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
From: Bloomington, IN
Default Re: Billet Main Caps worth the $$$?

The question is not if they are worth the money, but is it worth it to remove the engine to install them. If you are already down there, why not?
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2003 | 01:41 AM
  #5  
annil8r's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Roanoke,va
Default Re: Billet Main Caps worth the $$$?

ask Matt Harlon or what ever his name is with the turbo ram air if he recommends them, I think if u ask him that u might get cussed.
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2003 | 01:53 AM
  #6  
y2khawk's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,491
Likes: 1
From: Olmsted Falls, OH
Default Re: Billet Main Caps worth the $$$?



Until I break one of the stocker powdered metal ones, i won't be trying them again.

Although I was never able to confirm, I think the line hone was suspect when i had them installed. Considering I had Katech caps, installed by Katech themselves the line hone should be a no brainer for them. All the bearing bores were correctly sized, and clearances were where the should have been. Measured by yours truely with a micrometer and dial bore gauge, and sanity checked w/ plasti-gauge. The middle 3 mains spun within 1000 miles. After some conversations about the install procedure, the process used on the hone was flawed. Unequal metal removal between the aluminum block and the steel caps makes for loss of bearing crush. So that was quick work of $2000 in machining

I should have known that motor was cursed, considering the bore hone was wrong when i got it back. Was to be a .010 hone, and the bores came back .001 bigger than when i dropped it off. I had to take it back to them, and watch them measure it before they realized their bore gauge was off by .010

Anyway, i'm now sticking to stock caps with studs.

So far so good. When i do finally drive over the crank, i'll let you know
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2003 | 02:42 AM
  #7  
MelloYellow's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 1
From: Centrifugal City
Default Re: Billet Main Caps worth the $$$?

Waste of money. Worst purchase I've made for the LS1.
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2003 | 11:18 AM
  #8  
blackz93's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,661
Likes: 1
From: nc
Default Re: Billet Main Caps worth the $$$?

exactly what happens when someone says they "spun a bearing"?
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 3, 2003 | 11:29 AM
  #9  
Billiumss's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 15
From: Erie, PA
Default Re: Billet Main Caps worth the $$$?

Hey Matt Harlan, Are you gonna try and make our COFBA/Norwalk event this fall?

Bill
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2003 | 12:30 PM
  #10  
2001CamaroGuy's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,766
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ USA
Default Re: Billet Main Caps worth the $$$?

on a roll tonight arent you Chris
pretty much...



Ok...thats what I thought (waste of money)....

I'm going to install studs (don't like GM bolt) anyways so that should be more than enough for what I'm asking out of this engine....

(this is cool...I can shave an extra $400 off my exspected $7000 price tag for this project...if only I could shave an extra $2000.... )
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2003 | 05:15 PM
  #11  
Gold Phoenix's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis Area
Default Re: Billet Main Caps worth the $$$?

What about a 382cid forged motor with up to 20 psi of boost from a turbo? Should this be a good investment with ARP main studs?
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2003 | 05:18 PM
  #12  
Slow Z28's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 2
From: My house
Default Re: Billet Main Caps worth the $$$?

In a buildup of that nature, that's a no expense spared type project, so in comparison to what you are spending, that extra money is pocket change to the other stuff.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:10 PM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE