Picked up my 355!!!
Without knowing the block deck, but assuming a .010" decking you mentioned, with .030" off the heads, you *may* well be at 11.8 or so... ugh... That is really pretty high for a 35x displacement... Considering that you get greater gains with a higher CR with more displacement, I just really wouldn't like the risks associated with a pump-gas 35x displacement motor pushing close to 12:1... Hell, my 11.6:1 CR is a concern for me. I just have to be sure my system is tuned properly with good tuning for the low-octane tables to ensure that if I get bad gas it sees the pinging and switches properly. Takes time to fine-tune the knock tables and low-octane settings to get it all 'just right'...
Honestly, I highly doubt there are any tuners out there, other than myself, that has the experience and drive to tune not only for performance, but also for the 'safety net' that the late-model PCMs (including LT1s) afford. Takes quite a bit of time to tune in the knock system for a given engine combo to see 'real' knock and to tune for a 'safe' low-octane configuration for it.
I know for fact there are far too many people that think they can 'tune', but in reality they don't even understand the principles behind how PCMs interprete and interpolate the available sensor information, let alone how the various tables actually impact and derive the running state for a motor. Prime example are people that change MAF calibrations as a 'tuning method', as it is a compelte hack and a joke. Point blank fact is that the MAF is the only highly calibrated sensor on late model cars, outside of factory widebands, and to change thier calibration is the most ignorant thing to do.
My car was Dyno tuned at Speedinc and has 0 knock real or false and put out 413.66 rwhp b4 the TDs, on pump gas and thats with a s60 out back, on the stock short block. It trapped 120 so far.
Im not at all worried about the CR. The only thing that worries me at all, is piston to valve clearance but LE says we should have no probs since the pistons are .010+ in the hole. Well they actually measured between .010-.015 with an average of .012 in the hole.
From everthing Ive ever read says LT1s love higher compression( one of the benifits of reverse cooling) and Ive heard of more than a few guys runnin 12.5:1 and even more on pump gas safely.
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
I have done plenty of LT1s as mild to moderate performance buildups where it didn't need 4-bolt mains and if the mains all check out (ie it doesn't need a line hone due to a 'problem') I have run ARP main studs... Including my new 383 buildup. It has main studs added with no line hone and all the journals spec'd out perfect.
It is really a matter of knowing what you are doing and making sure your torque wrench is properly calibrated. The only thing studs do is provide a more consistent and stronger clamping force on the caps. Since you are not twisting the threads in while applying force (the way it works when tightening a bolt, ie it is a shearing action on a course thread), it provides for better clamping (since you are tightening a finer, shallower-angled thread on the nut only while leaving the twisting action out of the equation).
Hell, anyone like ARP would be stupid to NOT say it is a good suggestion to do a line hone if you are changing hardware. That way if it fails and a line hone wasn't done, they can't take blame. At the same time if a line hone IS done you can be certain that everything is inline and consistent.
Don't forget, newer blocks are WAYYYY more consistent in regards to machining tolerances than old-school blocks. Late-model blocks have the benefit of much more recent technology to aid in providing a better overall factory piece. Old school blocks can be soo far off it isn't even funny. All of those 'inconsistencies' just don't *usually* apply to LT1 blocks.
Again, put ARP, or another high-strength stud in it. If you don't and you have a bottom-end issue you'll only be kicking yourself. It is a cheap upgrade ($50-75 or so) for the insurance.
Hell, if you want I have a box full of extras in the garage from having done so many with windage trays that I didn't use. I think I even have enough ARP washers and nuts to put together a complete stud set. If your interested, send me a PM and let me know and I'll let all 7 studs/washers/nuts needed go cheap (you would still need to buy the 3 Moroso studs to install the windage tray).
So Ill need 3 moroso bolts for the windage tray, and ARPs for the rest?
I will do this as soon as Im back from the shootout, cash is tight untill then.
I have personally see PM rods deform at around 700-750 or so hp. I have seen pink rods break at 650.










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