At what point do you think billet caps and or a stud girdle is needed? I am going to be machining a LML block for a customer. Going to be a hot street truck I believe. Proby don't need them but wondering what others think.
Billet caps
- Thread starter Harshman
- Start date
Depends. Basically the main point would be to try to tie the block together for more strength but in reality, thats not really where the weak point is. It was assumed it helped with crank walk but thats not the case.
Ive built engines with and without them, ranging in 800-1200 hp. No issues thus far and one of them got beat to high hell.
My nrg crank engine in my truck does not have them if that tells you anything.
Ive built engines with and without them, ranging in 800-1200 hp. No issues thus far and one of them got beat to high hell.
My nrg crank engine in my truck does not have them if that tells you anything.
Personally, I tend to push for billet doweled mains on every engine I build/spec. A girdle I tend to use over 1000whp on customer's engines. Do I have billet mains or a girdle in my engine? No, but also I'm the one who has to cover my own negligence/cheapass-ness. For the extra money, I think if touching near 4 digits, dowelled billet mains solve most of the issue. Even doweling the mains has shown to be a big improvement in reducing cap walk/chatter.
My 1340hp engine with a big single was stock LB7/LLY crank, stock mains/ARP studs, stock LLY block etc was fine. My LB7 engine is stock LB7/LLY crank, stock mains/ARP studs, stock LBZ block and will live in the 800-1000whp area.
The reason I tend to push for dowelled billet mains over a girdle is because a girdle can be added later without any extra machine work whereas you cannot easily add billet mains later should your HP goals grow.
My 1340hp engine with a big single was stock LB7/LLY crank, stock mains/ARP studs, stock LLY block etc was fine. My LB7 engine is stock LB7/LLY crank, stock mains/ARP studs, stock LBZ block and will live in the 800-1000whp area.
The reason I tend to push for dowelled billet mains over a girdle is because a girdle can be added later without any extra machine work whereas you cannot easily add billet mains later should your HP goals grow.
Dowelled stock is about all you need. Beyond that, you need a billet block since a lbz/lmm/lml is only going to get you 1500-1700 reliably.
So Is that machining all the other mains to be like the #5 main with the sleeve over the bolt hole or is it an actual dowel pin?
I'm running 2 LML blocks at 800-900hp time sustained power with just main studs. Also spinning same with NB cranks at 5500rpm. Still holding over 40psi oil pressure hot. So they oblivious haven't walked to much at this level..
Machining to have the sleeve over the bolt. Pretty easy counter bore to do
