Contemplating a 396 LT1 Build for a winter project...
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From: Cheyenne, Wy
Contemplating a 396 LT1 Build for a winter project... Just wanted to get some opinions. I have been researching what it takes and what routse I wanna go be it a 383, 396, or 409 stroker. 383 is too common for what I want...yes I know it makes power and all, but every other person I talk to has a 383 cause its so much cheaper and easier...a 409 is too big...this is still a daily driver for now and I dont wanna do THAT much machining...so I am thinking 396 Stroker.
I am new to the idea of stroking an engine so I am learning so please go easy on me here lol, but am I correct?
Also I am looking at prices. I am going to forge it of course, and it COULD be used as a setup for a F1SC or something along those lines later...but for now a Stroker with Nitrous. I know this will be pricey, but its a project and I will be purchasing a seperate block to do this so I am not without a car while building it or if something goes wrong.
Now my next question. Be it 383 or 396, how well will my CURRENT setup work for this? What WILL jive and what WONT? I know the cam and pushrods wont...what else? Heads? Intake? etc
I currently have the LE2 heads with 2.00 int/1.56 exh 52cc chambers, Comp Cams Ultra Pro Mag 1.6 NSA Roller Rockers, and Patriot Extreme .660 Springs.
I have a 58mm TB, and ported intake manifold, LPP LT Headers, 3" Exhaust, SVO 30# Injectors, Walbro 255 Fuel Pump, LS7 Lifters
What else do I need? Should I P&P my heads more? etc.
Thanks for the assist guys.
I am new to the idea of stroking an engine so I am learning so please go easy on me here lol, but am I correct?
Also I am looking at prices. I am going to forge it of course, and it COULD be used as a setup for a F1SC or something along those lines later...but for now a Stroker with Nitrous. I know this will be pricey, but its a project and I will be purchasing a seperate block to do this so I am not without a car while building it or if something goes wrong.
Now my next question. Be it 383 or 396, how well will my CURRENT setup work for this? What WILL jive and what WONT? I know the cam and pushrods wont...what else? Heads? Intake? etc
I currently have the LE2 heads with 2.00 int/1.56 exh 52cc chambers, Comp Cams Ultra Pro Mag 1.6 NSA Roller Rockers, and Patriot Extreme .660 Springs.
I have a 58mm TB, and ported intake manifold, LPP LT Headers, 3" Exhaust, SVO 30# Injectors, Walbro 255 Fuel Pump, LS7 Lifters
What else do I need? Should I P&P my heads more? etc.
Thanks for the assist guys.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,053
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From: colorado springs Elevation: 6035 ft
Why not optimize the setup you already have? I hears you were goin through the traps in 3rd gear. Throw a 150 shot on it and I bet you see some low 11's high 10's
Just wanted to get some opinions. I have been researching what it takes and what routse I wanna go be it a 383, 396, or 409 stroker. 383 is too common for what I want...yes I know it makes power and all, but every other person I talk to has a 383 cause its so much cheaper and easier...a 409 is too big...this is still a daily driver for now and I dont wanna do THAT much machining...so I am thinking 396 Stroker.
I am new to the idea of stroking an engine so I am learning so please go easy on me here lol, but am I correct?
Also I am looking at prices. I am going to forge it of course, and it COULD be used as a setup for a F1SC or something along those lines later...but for now a Stroker with Nitrous. I know this will be pricey, but its a project and I will be purchasing a seperate block to do this so I am not without a car while building it or if something goes wrong.
Now my next question. Be it 383 or 396, how well will my CURRENT setup work for this? What WILL jive and what WONT? I know the cam and pushrods wont...what else? Heads? Intake? etc
I currently have the LE2 heads with 2.00 int/1.56 exh 52cc chambers, Comp Cams Ultra Pro Mag 1.6 NSA Roller Rockers, and Patriot Extreme .660 Springs.
I have a 58mm TB, and ported intake manifold, LPP LT Headers, 3" Exhaust, SVO 30# Injectors, Walbro 255 Fuel Pump, LS7 Lifters
What else do I need? Should I P&P my heads more? etc.
Thanks for the assist guys.
I am new to the idea of stroking an engine so I am learning so please go easy on me here lol, but am I correct?
Also I am looking at prices. I am going to forge it of course, and it COULD be used as a setup for a F1SC or something along those lines later...but for now a Stroker with Nitrous. I know this will be pricey, but its a project and I will be purchasing a seperate block to do this so I am not without a car while building it or if something goes wrong.
Now my next question. Be it 383 or 396, how well will my CURRENT setup work for this? What WILL jive and what WONT? I know the cam and pushrods wont...what else? Heads? Intake? etc
I currently have the LE2 heads with 2.00 int/1.56 exh 52cc chambers, Comp Cams Ultra Pro Mag 1.6 NSA Roller Rockers, and Patriot Extreme .660 Springs.
I have a 58mm TB, and ported intake manifold, LPP LT Headers, 3" Exhaust, SVO 30# Injectors, Walbro 255 Fuel Pump, LS7 Lifters
What else do I need? Should I P&P my heads more? etc.
Thanks for the assist guys.
If you want to make the jump to a 396 I would look into aftermarket heads, maybe an intake too. So with that said you would want a new custom cam, pretty much a whole new topend. Otherwise it wont make much more HP than your setup now.
Have AI/LE port out a set of AFR's or TFS 220 casting, new cam to match, maybe convert over a intake. Depending on the setup you may need to run a shaft mount rocker. Upgrade to 42lb injectors.
Or you could build a 385, have Llyod do everything he can to the heads, new matching cam, monobalde. 37/39 injector.
Have AI/LE port out a set of AFR's or TFS 220 casting, new cam to match, maybe convert over a intake. Depending on the setup you may need to run a shaft mount rocker. Upgrade to 42lb injectors.
Or you could build a 385, have Llyod do everything he can to the heads, new matching cam, monobalde. 37/39 injector.
You will need a lot of dough to do it right. The heads will work but I would have them reported to LE3's and the valve size bumped, your current cam will be too small.
Also you need to decide up front whether you're going to build a forced induction engine, or nitrous engine... Two completely different approaches there.
You would do well to maximize the setup you have now. You're not even CLOSE to running the number that car can run.
Your choice though, some people keep refining a combo til it performs like it should, and some people keep spending money and going "bigger" with mediocre results.
Also you need to decide up front whether you're going to build a forced induction engine, or nitrous engine... Two completely different approaches there.
You would do well to maximize the setup you have now. You're not even CLOSE to running the number that car can run.
Your choice though, some people keep refining a combo til it performs like it should, and some people keep spending money and going "bigger" with mediocre results.
Thread Starter
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From: Cheyenne, Wy
I dunno what I wanna do yet. I had planned on going LE3 with the heads if I go to the 396, and I plan on doing it right...I know it will be pricey.
I am just trying to decide on a few options cause I am gonna be getting quite a bit of money this winter. I plan on finishing my rear end build ASAP, then I want to rebuild this Jasper Block. WAS thinking just refreshing the internals...then started thinking of going forged since I will have it apart...then started thinking stroker...you know how it goes lmao.
I MAY still keep it the 357, and just spend the money on the paint and body stuff like rolled fenders, paint job, etc...**** I dunno! lol
I am just trying to decide on a few options cause I am gonna be getting quite a bit of money this winter. I plan on finishing my rear end build ASAP, then I want to rebuild this Jasper Block. WAS thinking just refreshing the internals...then started thinking of going forged since I will have it apart...then started thinking stroker...you know how it goes lmao.
I MAY still keep it the 357, and just spend the money on the paint and body stuff like rolled fenders, paint job, etc...**** I dunno! lol
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From: colorado springs Elevation: 6035 ft
even if yo did build a stroker what are you going to gain? 50 whp? For how much money? I'll stick with my stock short block. If I blow it up I'll go get another $300 to $500 short block
what does daily driving a 396 have any difference then DD a 383? my car is very tame and i have driven it HARD nearly every day this summer until the rear got too loud and started losing posi. it barely consumes any oil. i say go for the 396 it will make better torque and tolerate more cam then a 355.
Coming from a Guy who has spent the $$$ learning I can tell you this.
Build the motor for what you are going to use it for, NOW. Not what you "plan" on doing in the future.
To a degree, if your FI will be installed with in the next 6 months after the intial build, ok. I understand but a FI set up is a lot more $$$ and most cannot get to that next level so easily.
Do a 383 with a good H/C set up, good dyno tune and toss a Shot of Nitrous on it in the interm.
Build the motor for what you are going to use it for, NOW. Not what you "plan" on doing in the future.
To a degree, if your FI will be installed with in the next 6 months after the intial build, ok. I understand but a FI set up is a lot more $$$ and most cannot get to that next level so easily.
Do a 383 with a good H/C set up, good dyno tune and toss a Shot of Nitrous on it in the interm.
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 21
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From: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Hahaha - you n ZL1LT1 had this exact talk about what he's going to build on Sunday. He even said they don't make specific F1 kits for the LT1 F-Body, and that you have to put the head unit on which requires excessive grinding to the block. No worries tho, if that's the idea you like, go with it! Just know, once its built you two gotta run 
ZL1LT1 has some good ideas doesn't he? 
ZL1LT1 has some good ideas doesn't he? 
