Summer 09 Build

[myTreadZz]

So right now I've got my camaro sitting in the garage and this summer I'll finally have the funds to build the motor. It has a 383 LT1 :metal: with a weak ass h/c setup (AFR 190cc heads and mild lunati cam) :shame:. Theres a few things I would like to clear up for myself before diving headfirst into this. My max budget will be between 6-7 grand, but would prefer to not go over 6. Bear with me please, I don't have much experience at all with building motors.

1. My goals are ~450whp and +450wtq. I plan to stay N/A for now but FI or a shot of the juice may become an option down the road. I would like to go forged bottom end but it all depends on how much it will cost.

2. I've been researching different setups and would like to save as much money as possible without sacrificing quality. My number one choice as of now is the LE2 h/c package. I've also given consideration to an advanced inductions package but they are a bit pricey.

What should I expect to spend?

[Z28pr0jekt]

The problem with wanting to go FI down the road is you would be better off building the motor for low compression now, rather than having to disassemble the bottom end later and putting new pistons in and having it all rebalanced..

and in that situation a low compression will most likely not net 450/450 with an NA setup

[sdmws6]

Remember that the weakest link with the LT1 is the top-end. I've seen plenty of LT1s with blowers and turbos push out those kind of numbers on stock shortblocks. If you set up your upper-end properly, you can easily see 450rwhp/tq. Obviously, it's not going to be cheap, but if you take your time and do your homework, you can hit your preffered numbers without spending 6K. However, you'll probably be spending the rest of that left-over money on the rest of the drivetrain :laugh:

[1hottcamaro]

Well Good luck with your build!

Why not send your AFR heads out to LE or AI and have them worked instead of buying a whole new set up?

[myTreadZz]

FI probably won't be happening for this build then. Could I still have an N/A monster that meets my power goals with the occasional spray (150-200 shot)? Correct me if I'm wrong but if I decide to go this route then a forged bottom would be wise. This may sound stupid but this will be my daily driven car when I'm not at college, so it needs to have some street manners, reliability, and I would like it to get reasonable gas mileage, although I wouldn't expect great mpg by any means.

As far as working with the heads I have, I'm sure it would save me a lot of money but I haven't heard much good about the afr 190cc lt1 street heads. They are no longer in production, and the newer 185cc afr's outflow them. If I can achieve the results that I want with them then it would surely be a viable option, but I was under the impression that they weren't such a good platform. Although untouched, they made shit power when my car was dyno'd by the previous owner. Given the exhaust was stock (don't ask me why) and the cam was mild, but 290 rwhp and 390 rwtq is pretty pathetic for a 383 lt1. Thats bolt on (stock cubes/internals) lt1 horsepower numbers right there. If I am wrong about my heads, please let me know, it will save me a lot of money down the road. Thanks.