Hey Guys,

I am toying with the idea of building up a lt1 camaro. I am thinking that I would be happy with around 450rwhp but you know how that goes. So here are a couple of questions.

I have two Scat rotating kits down there, one for a 355 and the other for a 383, the kit prices aren't that much different but I know more machining would be required for the 383. Dyno-flo also has a rotating kit that would be about 1200 for all forged components. Would going all forged components just be overkill?

I would also plan to spend the 1600-1700 on a head/cam package from LE or AI, which would just about give me everything i need except for a hydraulic kit that would include the lifters, pushrods, etc. Any good place to get this, or can LE/AI include this?

This is the shopping cart from Summit:

MPE-15620 Exhaust System, Cat-Back, Stainless Steel, Polished Stainless Tips, Chevy/Pontiac, Camaro/Firebird, Kit $407.95 $407.95

PRO-66915C Rocker Arms, Stud Mount, Self-Aligning, Full Roller, Aluminum, 1.6 Ratio, Fits 3/8 in. Stud, Chevy,Small Block $208.69 $208.69

PSM-72C2239 Headers, Quicktrip, Full-Length, Steel, Ceramic Coated, Chevy/Pontiac, Camaro/Firebird, 5.7L, Pair $449.39 $449.39

PSM-82-1161 Exhaust, Y-Pipe, Aluminized Steel, Chevy/Pontiac, Camaro/Firebird, Each $129.99 $129.99

SCA-1-41605 Engine Rotating Assembly, Forged Crank, Forged Pistons, I-Beam Rods, Small Block Chevy, Kit $1,159.95 $1,159.95
·This part is temporarily out of stock, but you can order it now. Tentative ship date: 10/28/2008, if your order is placed today.

SCA-1-41835 Engine Rotating Assembly, Forged Crank, Forged Pistons, I-Beam Rods, Small Block Chevy, Kit $1,275.95 $1,275.95
·This part is temporarily out of stock, but you can order it now. Tentative ship date: 10/28/2008, if your order is placed today.

SLP-260-1650 Gaskets, Full Set, Chevy, Small Block Gen II, Set $205.39 $205.39

 

why would you buy those headers when there is a 50 pg discussion about a full length SS set being made by another member on here for $550???

Forged is overkill unless you want to use spray or another power adder later on, if you can afford it by all means you never know...

Good luck getting 450 RWHP outa a 355....

 

I know I saw the LPP headers and would probably go that route I just had everything on the summit checkout so i could see the price all at once, the headers will save a little money.

I am not dead set on getting to 450rwhp that would just be a max goal, and it definitely is possible to reach that on a 355 too so not sure where you were going with that,although it may take more than the LE2 setup.

I am wondering if rebuilding the motor with forged pistons and rods and use the stock crank would be fine. How hard are you guys pushing these motors on the stock cast crank? From doing some reading it sounds like the stock crank is as good if not better than say an Eagle cast crank.

 

stock crank is rated at 600hp and that is the least of your worries if your building an n/a motor. stock crank cleaned up and do splayed 4 bolt mains and forged if anything you need worry about is the rod/pistons as they are the weakest link. a 355 with a nice le2 package your easily 400+ no problem with a good tune and still have room to play.

 

I think what I would want to do is go for a LE2 setup with whatever custom grind would fit the build, and I want to be able to rev to 6500 and not have to worry about it. This isn't a daily driver just a fun car. Assuming I get around 400 N/a I would probably go for a 100-125 shot later on. Would this justify a forged setup, Scat has a nice little forged rotating assembly for like 1200-1400 bucks. I made this spreadsheet to figure out the cost, seem reasonable?