New heads and cam on 120,000 mile motor

**fredg369** · 10-21-2005, 06:32 AM

Ok,I have a 120,000 mile lt1
I know the best way to do things is to just rebuild the whole block.
Would I be making a big mistake if I put on heads,port matched intake and a new cam without rebuilding the lower end.
What kind of trouble could I run into.

**luciangage** · 10-21-2005, 10:28 AM

i'll bet you will spin a rod bearing. i did this in a 97 t/a i had. when you do it will most likely be #6. dont know why but it seems all your problems come from it. if yo go ahead with the build w/o the bottom you will be asking fogr a headache. thenyou will be replacing all the gaskets you just replaced.intake and all that.if your going to put heads on it use the cast iron head gaskets ,they are thinner and will increase your commpression a little.

**fredg369** · 10-21-2005, 03:01 PM

I spoke to some1 today and they said the bottom end is pretty stronge and it wouln't be a problem.Will I damage the heads at all if something would happen?Will the higher compression help with not spin a rod bearing.Maybe I'll just do a cam,headers,and some 1.6 roller rockers and call it done for now.

**luciangage** · 10-21-2005, 04:04 PM

no it will not damage any thing that you replaced but you will have to replace te bearings and crank could do damge to connecting rods as well. this is your call it may or may not work, build it like it is then since you know the bottom end is going to be rebuilt later start thinking about and saving for something like a 383 stroker kit. when you do this you have to relace everything in the botom anyways, bore stroke crank pistons ect.and go withthe heads it will be worth more hp than the headers and cam.this is just my opinion anyone else feel free to agree or disagree w/ me