2 bolt or 4 bolt
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: stockton CA
2 bolt or 4 bolt i have never torn into an LT1 and i wanted to know if my 1996 SS has 2 bolt mains or 4 bolt, im pretty sure its 2 bolt but i just wanted to make sure, and i also wanted to know how much power the 2 bolts can handle
horsepower isnt the only thing you need to worry about with a 2 bolt block, rpm is just as important. You can make 550 whp but if you turn to 8000 rpm then you will have problems with the two bolt caps. On the other hand, you can make 700 whp only spinning to 5500 rpm's and i would say a studded two bolt would work just fine. I know most people are going to say that you will need a 4 bolt conversion but i think most people just do that because someone tells them they should.
This is the first 2bolt vs. 4 bolt thread where everyone has replied intelligently 
.
Listen to these guys.
A lot of truth here
Most of those who have actually pushed the 2 bolts or just studded them have had exellent results.
.Listen to these guys.
A lot of truth here
I know most people are going to say that you will need a 4 bolt conversion but i think most people just do that because someone tells them they should.
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my builder suggest keep my 2-bolt mains put studs and invest in alittle better rods.
not saying the LT1 rods are bad but, the price you pay to take them off the old pistons, polish the beams & shot pen,recondition,balance them,new ARP bolts. you'll spend about the same if you buy rods that already have all that, and stronger.
not saying the LT1 rods are bad but, the price you pay to take them off the old pistons, polish the beams & shot pen,recondition,balance them,new ARP bolts. you'll spend about the same if you buy rods that already have all that, and stronger.
Launching!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
change the rods there bad just like the ls1 stock rods and up grade the the rod bolts. i think you people are CRAZY running that much power and money in your motor on a 2bolt, have it splayed to a 4bolt just to be safe.
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Carlisle, PA
I had mine converted to a 4 bolt just for piece of mind.
When your planning your build you really need to take into consideration your future plans....my plans were heavy nitrous use with the addition of a second power adder in the future.
For me it was worth the extra money to be ready for anything I throw at it.
If I wasn't going the power adder route I would say that a 2 bolt would work just fine for a very heathly setup as many have mentioned before.
When your planning your build you really need to take into consideration your future plans....my plans were heavy nitrous use with the addition of a second power adder in the future.
For me it was worth the extra money to be ready for anything I throw at it.
If I wasn't going the power adder route I would say that a 2 bolt would work just fine for a very heathly setup as many have mentioned before.
Originally Posted by CatchinZs
I had mine converted to a 4 bolt just for piece of mind.
When your planning your build you really need to take into consideration your future plans....my plans were heavy nitrous use with the addition of a second power adder in the future.
For me it was worth the extra money to be ready for anything I throw at it.
If I wasn't going the power adder route I would say that a 2 bolt would work just fine for a very heathly setup as many have mentioned before.
When your planning your build you really need to take into consideration your future plans....my plans were heavy nitrous use with the addition of a second power adder in the future.
For me it was worth the extra money to be ready for anything I throw at it.
If I wasn't going the power adder route I would say that a 2 bolt would work just fine for a very heathly setup as many have mentioned before.
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Carlisle, PA
Originally Posted by MrBill97396
Ask Big Rick in his old street car days his 383 with nitrous was a 2 bolt
Big Rick is definitely an example of a person who can setup a racecar.
For me...I am just more at piece with the fact that I had mine converted to a 4 bolt.
I spoke with numerous engine builders before I went Eric Koenig (Racer8077...I think is his username here) based out of HPE's shop.
All gave me the same basic idea that the level that I planned to be at would not require a 4 bolt setup but it was advisable for longevity...remember these guys all want us to be happy with our purchase and get years of use out of it.
If you want to put more than 450rwhp thru the block you should put a 4 bolt cap on in a street motor. In high RPM race motors, or motors where the majority of the time they are actually at WOT that HP level comes down. Around here we have 430hp (flywheel) circle track motors that would be dead if they were two bolts. That's equal to 370rwhp.
Plain and simple is it's gonna cost you more to fix the mess the motor makes when the 2 bolts give up the ghost than it's gonna cost to put the 4 bolts on.
Bret
Plain and simple is it's gonna cost you more to fix the mess the motor makes when the 2 bolts give up the ghost than it's gonna cost to put the 4 bolts on.
Bret
FormerVendor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 6
From: Houston, Tx.
Originally Posted by SStrokerAce
If you want to put more than 450rwhp thru the block you should put a 4 bolt cap on in a street motor. In high RPM race motors, or motors where the majority of the time they are actually at WOT that HP level comes down. Around here we have 430hp (flywheel) circle track motors that would be dead if they were two bolts. That's equal to 370rwhp.
Plain and simple is it's gonna cost you more to fix the mess the motor makes when the 2 bolts give up the ghost than it's gonna cost to put the 4 bolts on.
Bret
Plain and simple is it's gonna cost you more to fix the mess the motor makes when the 2 bolts give up the ghost than it's gonna cost to put the 4 bolts on.
Bret
I am surprised though at the total abuse SOME blocks with the 2-bolts still on them have taken but they will cap walk like crazy and they will break if pushed hard enough. We've taken the 4 bolt OEM deals off too in pieces quite a few times after people see oil pressure is lost.