Motor build????

bullfrogjohnson

Big Girl!
Nov 20, 2006
4,167
1
0
39
Locust, NC
I think that a good soild motor can be built for less than most are thinking. You don't need main studs, you don't need internal balance, you don't need pistons/modified, you don't need a cam, you don't need fancy heads and you don't need head studs. That is if you staying under 800 hp and keep power down in the 2600 range and have a good tune. Most may not agree with me but from what I have seen first hand, rods will get it done! I'm not so sure on a LBZ with the correct tune you wouldn't do it with a stock motor and live for a couple of years racing and pulling. Some people can hurt anything! Some people can get away with anything! Then there is most of use in the middle. lol Jeff

x2.... Mine is still kicking after all these years. I built mine for high rpm and low torque and has proved to be a good choice so far.
 

x MadMAX DIESEL

<<<< No Horsepower
Dec 30, 2008
7,535
1
38
34
Lexington, Ky
I think that a good soild motor can be built for less than most are thinking. You don't need main studs, you don't need internal balance, you don't need pistons/modified, you don't need a cam, you don't need fancy heads and you don't need head studs. That is if you staying under 800 hp and keep power down in the 2600 range and have a good tune. Most may not agree with me but from what I have seen first hand, rods will get it done! I'm not so sure on a LBZ with the correct tune you wouldn't do it with a stock motor and live for a couple of years racing and pulling. Some people can hurt anything! Some people can get away with anything! Then there is most of use in the middle. lol Jeff

I agree, I do think a set of valve spring would be something I would do though.
 

TrentNell

Finally underway !!!!!
Jul 7, 2008
7,543
0
0
44
slc tuah
I think that a good soild motor can be built for less than most are thinking. You don't need main studs, you don't need internal balance, you don't need pistons/modified, you don't need a cam, you don't need fancy heads and you don't need head studs. That is if you staying under 800 hp and keep power down in the 2600 range and have a good tune. Most may not agree with me but from what I have seen first hand, rods will get it done! I'm not so sure on a LBZ with the correct tune you wouldn't do it with a stock motor and live for a couple of years racing and pulling. Some people can hurt anything! Some people can get away with anything! Then there is most of use in the middle. lol Jeff

X2 , I put my motor through hell , that motor cost me 4500.00 + or - 500 and the cut stock piston let go before anything else ( basically the one thing done right LOL ) . As far as motor go I will only go to one extreme or the other all or nothing , the in between motor builds cost the most and usually fail just as fast as the cheapies , i still think cutting the pistons is worth it , key ways , rods, and head steads I would do but still think we could survive with out, and valve springs if the boost is over 50 psi.
 

camomax

pushing the limits
Nov 5, 2008
503
0
0
55
Florida
FWIW my current motor is a stock short block with 80,??? mi. I pulled the stock pistons, put my rods in it, and slammed the pistons right back in. Put head studs and valve springs in it. No machine work, not even keyed. I dont know if it will last a full race season, but for the money saved versus a "full" build, I'll give it a whirl.:thumb:
 

sweetdiesel

That's better
Aug 6, 2006
10,390
0
0
52
Thailand
FWIW my current motor is a stock short block with 80,??? mi. I pulled the stock pistons, put my rods in it, and slammed the pistons right back in. Put head studs and valve springs in it. No machine work, not even keyed. I dont know if it will last a full race season, but for the money saved versus a "full" build, I'll give it a whirl.:thumb:

No keyway?:D
 

JD4440

<< Lo-Carb Monster
Feb 27, 2009
1,776
1
0
Orlinda, TN
I think that a good soild motor can be built for less than most are thinking. You don't need main studs, you don't need internal balance, you don't need pistons/modified, you don't need a cam, you don't need fancy heads and you don't need head studs. That is if you staying under 800 hp and keep power down in the 2600 range and have a good tune. Most may not agree with me but from what I have seen first hand, rods will get it done! I'm not so sure on a LBZ with the correct tune you wouldn't do it with a stock motor and live for a couple of years racing and pulling. Some people can hurt anything! Some people can get away with anything! Then there is most of use in the middle. lol Jeff
I'm likin' the way Jeff thinks. I'd like to get out for 5-6 k with rods and machine work being the big $$ getters. But then again I'm getting an early start on parts sourcing, hoping to find unneeded parts from other builds before I need them.
FWIW my current motor is a stock short block with 80,??? mi. I pulled the stock pistons, put my rods in it, and slammed the pistons right back in. Put head studs and valve springs in it. No machine work, not even keyed. I dont know if it will last a full race season, but for the money saved versus a "full" build, I'll give it a whirl.:thumb:

Didnt have time, I was late for a race!:rofl:

:rofl: Awesome :thumb:
 

JD4440

<< Lo-Carb Monster
Feb 27, 2009
1,776
1
0
Orlinda, TN
has anybody had problems with the cut and coated lb7 so-cal pistons. i have some friends that have lost a couple of these pistons

What's the argument with using cut/coated stockers compared to cut/coated new from Guy ? I have a set that come out of a LB7 W/T that supposedly was never tuned, engine fire done the truck in. Wanted to send them to someone to cut/coat if at all possible. I'm looking for 7-750.
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,670
5,817
113
Phoenix Az
FWIW my current motor is a stock short block with 80,??? mi. I pulled the stock pistons, put my rods in it, and slammed the pistons right back in. Put head studs and valve springs in it. No machine work, not even keyed. I dont know if it will last a full race season, but for the money saved versus a "full" build, I'll give it a whirl.:thumb:

now this is something im really lookin forward to hearing about :eek:
 

05chevy

Active member
Jun 10, 2010
1,086
0
36
When u all talk about mechine work do u mean on the heads? Or keying the crank shaft and cam? I seen one guy said u don't need mechine work lil confused there. Sorry for sounding dumb but I wanna get the best bang for the buck like everyone else.
 

GeorgiaDieselGTO

Wants to drive his truck
May 12, 2010
102
0
0
Crossville
Well there is a lot of machining you can do and depending on the shape you motor is in and what all you want to do to it. At the minimum i would get the heads decked and pressure checked, and polish the crank, and get the rotating assembly balanced. If you lost a piston you will want to at least hone that bore and maybe bore it depending on the damage. I also internally balanced my crank, and it takes a good competent machinist to do that.
 

05chevy

Active member
Jun 10, 2010
1,086
0
36
Ok thanks I was figuring that but I didn't know if there was something I was over looking or just didn't know
 

sweetdiesel

That's better
Aug 6, 2006
10,390
0
0
52
Thailand
Ok thanks I was figuring that but I didn't know if there was something I was over looking or just didn't know

Lots of people will use a tq plate to simulate the heads being tq down and the hone the cyl walls. Also if you run a girdle or billet main caps it's something to consider.