So I know the main difference is the fact that the Corvette LT1 has 4 bolt mains, but other than that, whats the difference. I am trying to decide whether to rebuild my 196k motor, or to just get a junkyard motor, rebuild, break in and then do a full swap.

I am looking for about 400 HP, mild idle (not a radical cam) and my budget is about $5000 (I do all the labor).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

And as usual, thank you all for your time!!



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Do you want that power at the wheels? If so a mild cam might not do it. Other than than you could buy a trickflow top end kit or a Lloyd Elliot kit with the milder camshaft options. Then get a ported intake, valve springs, roller rockers, headers, TB not sure what size, and CAI. the trickflow says 430 hp which is most likely at the crank. The mildest le setup the le1 heads and cam are 1200 bucks.

 

Lloyd Elliot can do the LE trickflow heads and a custom grind cam to your likings for about $2,400 and get your intake ported and polished by him too for another $200. The LE2 setup from Lloyd would be a little cheaper than trickflow and probably better if you keep the stock bottom end. Trickflow is more for a wild setup, not just top end. A 58mm throttle body, LT headers, CAI, 30lb injectors, 3.73 gears, and a nice tune would just about do it. That should put you over 400hp to the wheels.

 

the only difference is the 4 bolt main. splayed mains are stronger. have you thought of having it stroked to 383? if your block needs bored have it bored 30 over to make it a 355. have a look at my build. very much like what your looking for. remember if your going over 350 rwhp then trany, rearend (mine is going) and more will need work, lol, well pretty much everything ive done.