Thoughts on the following combination

[hgffrank]

Ok I was thinking about building an engine, then about having one built and instead I think I am going to just buy a short block and a nice set of heads. So please let me know what you think about the following combination that I am really considering:

408 short block

• Blueprinted & Steam Holes Plugged (left open if desired)
• Performanced Prepped
• Dish Hyperutectic .040 Pistons
• GM 5.7" Rods w/ 180,000 PSI Bolts
• Rods Cleared For Most Cams
• GM 3.750 Crank .010-.010
• Computer Balanced
• With Your 76cc Heads 9-1
• With Your 64cc Heads 10-1
• [Must Use 400 Flywheel & Balancer]
• Part #408SB-1

they will used different pistons if asked too, but I was thinking the ones on it would be good
http://www.gustafengines.com/index.c...rt_Blocks.html
An added benefit of this short block is that its fairly close in Illinois and I could pick it up and not pay shipping, but even shipping shouldnt be that bad if I chose to have it shipped
Patriot cylinder heads, the ones you can see in this closed ebay auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260142747431&ssPa geName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=016
195cc aluminum, 2.02/1.60 valve
5 angle competition valve job
CNC bowl blended
64 or 68cc available
1.45 oversize springs
3/8 or 7/16 studs, competition length(long on top)
up to 5.50 lift w/ non roller cam
one piece, undercut stainless steel valves
guide plates

and my own stuff:
1.6 full roller rockers
780cfm q-jet (temporary till I get something like a Demon or BG)
Edelbrock performer rpm air gap intake
shorty headers 1 1/2 primaries 2 1/2 collector(I know its small but would be very temporary unless I sold the set and got a bigger set which would be very likely)
65K volt adjustable vacuum advance HEI distributor
electric water pump
Cam not yet known


Thats what I am seriously considering unless someone here can give me a good reason not to.

And yes I know the rest of the car would need mods to hold up, I understand that part. I would use the T5 until I killed it, then look to go automatic, or T56.

But all good things come with time, so I'm focusing on the engine now.

I am parking the car at the first snow and its going to be torn down, and be decently restored, hopefully I'll have it done by next spring. But I'd like to drop in the new motor and take it for a spin first. i'll have to be easy on it though since theres no frame mods yet.

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

Looks like a nice setup. A couple of questions:

1. What cam you chose is gonna make a huge difference. Can the head supplier recommend what brand/type of cam you should use for those heads?

2. Are those Keith Black pistons? The more I hear about them, the more I don't like them...special installation required.

3. It says "computer balanced"...is that the entire rotating assembly?

4. If you're thinking about switching trans, you might want to keep this in mind for exhaust routing if you need a new crossmember.

5. 2-bolt main block I'm assuming?

6. Warranty?

But it looks good on paper.

[MiT/A'96]

Sounds good to me,just do some planning and research stuff ahead of
time and you won;t go wrong...

[hgffrank]

Looks like a nice setup. A couple of questions:

1. What cam you chose is gonna make a huge difference. Can the head supplier recommend what brand/type of cam you should use for those heads?

2. Are those Keith Black pistons? The more I hear about them, the more I don't like them...special installation required.

3. It says "computer balanced"...is that the entire rotating assembly?

4. If you're thinking about switching trans, you might want to keep this in mind for exhaust routing if you need a new crossmember.

5. 2-bolt main block I'm assuming?

6. Warranty?

But it looks good on paper.

Well crap on this build, just got off the phone with the company today and they said the websites about 3 years old and the short block I wanted is no longer offered. but they seem to be really eager to do anything I want(of course), and I may just go with a 350 block stroker, they offer many stroker combinations. Trying to stay under my 1500 budget isnt easy when I want forged parts...lol...Still planning on the heads, but probably end up with something based off a 350..I gotta call back and catch a certain person to talk to, then I'll know more.

[Formula Z]

$1500 isnt much of a budget considering what you want to do. Id try and find one built already and use the money for that instead. good luck though.

[WMCC Gary]

$1500 isnt much of a budget considering what you want to do. Id try and find one built already and use the money for that instead. good luck though.

I have too agree, Thats a TIGHT budget. I bet you'll at least twice that into by time your done.

[csmith4153]

Well crap on this build, just got off the phone with the company today and they said the websites about 3 years old.

Why dont they update there website? I'm always making changes to mine.

[csmith4153]

What are you really looking for? I am willing to work with you. If you shoot me a parts list, I can come up with a "package Deal" for you.
I'm also willing to sell you a crate engine at my cost. But those are more than 1500.

[hgffrank]

I think you guys misunderstood my budget here. The $1500 max was just for the short block, $1000 or so for heads, so my total budget is $2K-2500, with a little left to get the odds and ends I'd need to put it all together and stuff.

I'd go up to $2500 on a prebuilt engine but I would be asking alot wanting 425hp425tq minimum. Seems the only way I'm gonna get that level of performance is by buying a short block and heads seperate and assembling it myself.

I gotta go pick up my daughter now but I'll get back to this thread a bit later.

[csmith4153]

If you build one yourself, You will save money, and you can say "I built that".
I can come up with some engine packages over the weekend for you if you want.

[hgffrank]

If you build one yourself, You will save money, and you can say "I built that".
I can come up with some engine packages over the weekend for you if you want.

i would build it myself but I just dont have the tools, space to do so, and certainly not anywhere I could control how clean it is, not to mention no machine shop close by which is a huge factor. Closest machine shop is in Albion about 25 miles away, but I have heard enough about that shop that I would never trust them.

If you come up with some packages and make an offer I'd certainly be willing to listen. I really dont want a crate engine due to the fact they are overpriced and typically have crappy performance in stock form. Also what kind of warranty comes with the engine?

[shawnc16]

Im sure you could go treading through racingjunk.com or another forum with users selling fresh shortblocks for cheap.. then you could go through it if you needed to. You dont need forged parts! (1bad83ta) Justins making 400+ at the crank... How much power are you looking for?

[hgffrank]

UPDATE....super unexpected change in plans...LT1...yeah baby....just found an LT1 a guy offered me for $500 complete. He pulled it from a 95 camaro to put in a sand rail, but says he ran outta time so he offered it to me. HELL YEAH, I cant beat that. I am excited. For $500 I dont think I can go wrong.

[csmith4153]

Congrats on the LT1.
Are you just going to put into the car or go thru it before you do the install?

[hgffrank]

Congrats on the LT1.
Are you just going to put into the car or go thru it before you do the install?

I'd like to go through it with new bearings and such. Not to mention I'd like to do a bit of upgrading in the process. I'm not familiar with LT1 engines at all so I have no clue what I should upgrade and such. Some idea's would be great.