F-Body Europe

as I speak, my car is sitting lonely in OKC waiting for its time at the doctor. Since reprograming, new top end didnt cure my wiffs of smoke between shifts, it was time for a short block rebuild.

Hopefully in 4 weeks or less (shop is kinda slow) a healthy, bouncing, 3500lb baby 355ci LT4 will come rolling down the road.

But thats it damnit!!!! I'm not putting anymore $$$ in this thing!!!

Forged? Time to max out the jets on that nitrous kit! Its gonna be fast.

Keep us posted,
Jeff

I was currious what was up with your car. So if you are rebuilding, why not go stroker? Should be a LOT easier there than over here.

Yeah right:) I have said that exact same thing myself several times and my wallet is still empty to this day. And all I got to show for it is a new project car. Some day I will find a car that I can live with!?!?!?!

Best of luck. Let us know how the LT4 does.

Nothing major, just some smoke between shifts(rings). 6 years of Autobahn will do that I guess. Yeah, your right, it would be major easy to stroke it(probably 3 race oriented machine shops within 30miles of me). Only problem, is I dont want a stroker. If I ever decide to do it right, it will be a 355 pushing major amounts of boost. Atleast now, I will have the 355 part of it covered.

Serious!!!! Right now, all my future savings, and focus is on a built 306 that I can run in a undecided class. I have something special in my little notch, and I want to exploit it. The Z is for the streets. I cant afford to build it, or keep it running (lovely GM durability).

I will use the Z as a daily driver, and as a show piece, but the race money is on the 5.0.

You all have heard it from the horses mouth. Rob has gone over to the darkside!!

Its all economics. I like to run hard, but cant afford the upkeep on the LT1 or the days instead of hours to fix or install something. My fix is to street drive the Z (didnt say baby, now did I? ) and run the LX hard as hell at the track. I will give up the speed/power just to keep doing my hobby.

As far as the rebuild, I was told by the shop owner to save my money. I'm not loosing a noticeable amount of oil (maybe 1/2qt every 2 or 3 thousand, and most of that is coming out the rear main )

Basically all he is going to do is throw the clutch/flywheel in, rear main, wire in the water pump correctly, put the fluidamper on, and maybe some misc stuff if it comes in under the price cap I put on him. The bonus of this (unless something hidden pops up) is that I've already got 500 miles on the new valvetrain, so its ready to rip as soon as I get it back. Hopefully Friday He told me today that when he went to test drive to check out a possible miss-fire I have that even at 60mph it would blow the Nittos off if he hammered it in 3rd (yeah it was alittle wet, but still).....I cant wait!!!

Sounds great! Now you have someone to blame if it doesnt run properly:)

Sounds like you are making some good HP! Even more with a dyno tune. Maybe 380+rwhp? Let us know the track times and the dyno #'s! Inquiring minds want to know! Hope it all works out.

Jeff did you find a tranny?

Yes I did. Sergio came through for me and we have practically a whole LT1 f-body coming over here between the two of us.

Rob, I hear that in 97' LT1's switched to a new rear main seal that is better and doesnt leak. I hear it is maybe made of viton, but never the less it is better. Well just thought I would tell you that so you could have one thrown in when they do your car.


Jeff

Thats good info, but it was replaced on the spot. My tranny is on shop floor, the clutch is in, but Surprise the flywheel that came with it had some serious grooves installed as a bonus!!!!!!:( The shop owner called me with this great info, then said, "What do you want to do with this car? Reason I ask, is why do you want a aluminum flywheel?" Turns out, I will fight SPEC about the wheel, and have the stock one surfaced and re-installed. Up to 3/10's added to my '60!!! Cast iron please. Getting a couple of other little things done also, but nothing real wild. Its kinda cool having a guy that runs a 9sec Sonny Leonard motor'd Nova work on your car!!

Should have it done within the week, and be raping yours and my favorite cars by next weekend (I swear its stock ).

BTW, I'm feeling generous, and hope your predictions are correct. If this thing makes 380rwhp NA I'll knock 30bucks off the heads and intake. (Now you know, I'll never tell you if it does!!!!!!!:) J/K )

Ciao
Rob

Well I hope I am right, even though I already sent the cash! If I am, I will go and start my own business guessing rwhp dyno numbers, like people do in the circus with weight.
Rob, there is also a great GP on 98+ SS spoilers for really cheap! Go to CZ28.com for details in the GP section.(thought you may be interested)

Keep us posted!

Jeff