Hello from Pennsylvania!

[LTX Nick]

Hey everyone,

New member here. I used to frequent LS1Tech and CamaroZ28.com, but haven't been active on those forums for a few years. Figured that this would be the best site for current LTX stuff.

Anyway, I have a 1995 Z28 which I just cam swapped over the winter. Unfortunately a few recent dyno runs to 6200 RPM either revealed a weakness in my stock 67,000 mile bottom end, or a weakness in my ability to successfully perform a cam swap...made 356/362, but I have some nice "shiny" oil as a result. Going to be dropping the engine/trans combo here soon to find out exactly which bearing decided to start destroying itself (I'm leaning towards a cam bearing).

It's forced upgrade time, and I'm definitely not going to go with the majority of the crowd and just LS swap. I'm planning for a 500-550 flywheel hp N/A 383. I will try to post some updates as I proceed with tear-down, machining, and reassembly. I have an "in" with a great local automotive machinist, and I'm excited to work with him throughout the process and expand my knowledge along the way.

[Cathead]

Welcome to the forum! LTX and Pennsylvania...I think you've found a home here

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[popo8]

Welcome to the family man... make sure u start a build thread with lots of pics.

We are a simple people and pics make us happy. ;)

LTXtech.com is my drug...

[Fastbird]

Hey everyone,

New member here. I used to frequent LS1Tech and CamaroZ28.com, but haven't been active on those forums for a few years. Figured that this would be the best site for current LTX stuff.

Anyway, I have a 1995 Z28 which I just cam swapped over the winter. Unfortunately a few recent dyno runs to 6200 RPM either revealed a weakness in my stock 67,000 mile bottom end, or a weakness in my ability to successfully perform a cam swap...made 356/362, but I have some nice "shiny" oil as a result. Going to be dropping the engine/trans combo here soon to find out exactly which bearing decided to start destroying itself (I'm leaning towards a cam bearing).

It's forced upgrade time, and I'm definitely not going to go with the majority of the crowd and just LS swap. I'm planning for a 500-550 flywheel hp N/A 383. I will try to post some updates as I proceed with tear-down, machining, and reassembly. I have an "in" with a great local automotive machinist, and I'm excited to work with him throughout the process and expand my knowledge along the way.

That's always a risk taken when you open up a motor. Sorry it had to happen to you. I'm about to take the same chance with my car that it almost turn key ready again.

What are your motor plans? 500-550 flywheel isn't unrealistic for a goal.

[LTX Nick]

Thanks all! And I will be sure to take many pictures along the way. I tried to take as many precautions as possible. Cleaned all of my parts and followed the instructions (when given), took advice from reliable sources, took lots of measurements and followed all torque specs. I’m really curious to see if my cam swap caused the failure, or if maybe a main or rod bearing was on the verge of going. I don’t have any knocking, but I have a squeak on startup (it stops after a minute or so) that I thought was a pulley. Took the belt off and the noise was still present. Listened to the water pump and Torqhead sensing unit, but no noise from them. Finally drained the oil and saw really fine bronze colored shavings, and I had already changed it since break in.

So far, plans are (subject to change) forged pistons and rods, probably a forged 3.75” stroke crank, studded 2-bolt mains, either AFR 195 or 210 heads, LE ported trickflows, or 200cc ported stock castings if AI would ever respond to my emails...

[popo8]

Btw, where in PA are u from?

LTXtech.com is my drug...

[LTX Nick]

Btw, where in PA are u from?

LTXtech.com is my drug...

I'm in South Central PA. York County.

[popo8]

I'm in South Central PA. York County.Oh cool, I'm in Berks County near Reading.

LTXtech.com is my drug...

[LTX Nick]

Oh cool, I'm in Berks County near Reading.

LTXtech.com is my drug...

Yea, you definitely aren't too far away from me. Who knows, we may even run into each other sometime!

[1QUICKZ28]

Welcome aboard! Great group here with tons of knowledge. Never be afraid to ask any questions. Your new build will be plenty fun on the street and at the track. I’m from PA also, Blair county area. Keep us posted on your build.


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[TrybalRage]

Welcome to the board, fellow PA resident!

[SSlowBoat]

welcome to the forum. Sucks to hear about the motor (i assembled mine with wd40 and it survived lol ) but im sure it will be bad ass when done.

[LTX Nick]

Good to see all of the other PA guys here. I want to tear into this soon, but it has been hard to find time to take on that task lately. Sucks that the car will be down for the summer, but it sure beats wrenching in a non-insulated garage in the winter!

[LTX Nick]

I guess I'll have to start a build thread soon. Just gathered a few parts last weekend. Got a Callies Dragonslayer 3.875 stroke crank, Callies Compstar 6" H-beam rods and some CP forged flat-top pistons. Everything was still new-in-box for $1700, so it sounds like I'm going to have a 395 CID LT1! Should be able to get about 11.4:1 static compression with AFR 210 heads, a zero-decked block and some Impala head gaskets. Also found a NOS LT4 intake manifold to top off the heads, so I'm planning on porting that too. Anything I can get so that this beast makes 550 chp.

38979

[popo8]

Looks like u got a decent deal man!

LTXtech.com is my drug...

[popo8]

Definitely need to start a build thread, with lots of pics.

LTXtech.com is my drug...

[LTX Nick]

Definitely need to start a build thread, with lots of pics.

LTXtech.com is my drug...

For sure! I'm still working on gathering some parts, but the build should start soon.

[shownomercy]

Welcome!

I like to pretend I am a PA resident, Hershey area

[popo8]

Welcome!

I like to pretend I am a PA resident, Hershey areaIts cool... we have accepted u as an honorary member

LTXtech.com is my drug...

[harner]

Welcome from glorious Schuylkill County. Good luck with your build!

[LTX Nick]

Thanks all! Guess I better start a legit build thread soon. Just bought an engagement ring and a new truck, so the build progress has been temporarily paused.

Also, I bought a complete b-body LT1 that I am using for the block/front and rear main caps only. Let me know if anyone local to PA needs any random brackets or other LT1 parts. If not sold, they'll be scrapped before the end of the year.

[95 T/A FI]

Nick, welcome to the forum. I’ve been a central pa lurker for years and am going to be doing a major project soonish. Not building from the ground up like you (can’t wait to see your build thread). I recently purchased one of Jason Short’s complete engine finds. And once I decide when and how to go pick it up in Rochester, I’ll be doing my first ever engine swap/tune. Haven’t decided yet if I want to tackle the swap myself or just pay someone local to do it. Much like yourself, I like to learn things as I go, but I also don’t want to bite off more than I can chew. Good luck.

[Camaro96]

Welcome you are in a great place to get knowledge about your LT-1 with a bunch of great people. Good luck on your build can't wait to see your progress.

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[SSlowBoat]

lloyd is the best. look forward to a build thread. if you need help we have done this a few times, sometimes successfully lol.


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