time for mods

[DJ 95 Formula]

Seeing how my baby has 104k on it now I think I need to rethink my mods. I was going to get new heads (eddlebrock), full valvetrain upgrade (from stock). However, with my motor having so many miles on it (not beaten but not babied either) should I back off modding this motor. I can't really afford a new motor, well I could but that would eat up anything I would have left to put in for mods. The valvetrain upgrade I can see but maybe the heads aren't worth it, at the most just get mine machined. I don't want to have to go to deep (crank, pistons) unless absolutly required in order to take advantage the minor upgrades, valvetrain.

Still need to do the bare essentials though, full new exhaust, new rims/wheels, new hood raptor style ram air (have cai now but it's a pain to get to clean filter), suspension. Oh and a new shifter ball.

What do you think, as I get back into this mode I may be forgetting some things.

[Detroit_Bird]

I've got 160K on my LT1, and just did a compression test - 160 psi average, came up quick too. I'm amazed, but internally, I have no reason to tear her down yet. Im thinking of sticking a cam and lifters in to see just how much this high-miler will take.

I've heard of guys pulling decent times with over 200K on the motor, so I really wouldn't worry about 104K. Plus, if anyhting does go wrong in the motor, you can swap your top end to a new one.

[Joe 1320]

I am a firm believer in my system of doing heads in high mileage cars. The problem exists where high mileage motors seem to spin bearings right after a head swap. Evidently there is a certain shift that takes place when the heads are removed and replaced.

I stumbled across a proceedure that all but eliminates most of these problems. I never remove both heads from the block at the same time. Once everything is removed down to the long block and that includes the removal of the intake, I remove one head, replace with the new head and finish the torque sequences in full before moving to the other head. Then the opposite head is R&R'd in the same proceedure. Then the rest of the componants are reinstalled and there appear to be far fewer instances of problems. There must be something to this because I know of several instances where others did the proceedure by removing both heads, having them worked and reinstalled. The result was wiped bearings soon after.


I've done work for several friends that involved a "total makeover" at 120K miles and no problems 40K miles later. Go for the mods!

[Fastbird93]

Originally posted by Detroit_Bird
I've got 160K on my LT1, and just did a compression test - 160 psi average, came up quick too. I'm amazed, but internally, I have no reason to tear her down yet. Im thinking of sticking a cam and lifters in to see just how much this high-miler will take.

I've heard of guys pulling decent times with over 200K on the motor, so I really wouldn't worry about 104K. Plus, if anyhting does go wrong in the motor, you can swap your top end to a new one.

Have you done a leakdown check on that??? My black car is getting a new motor, had 45% leakdown on #5, and that was at 160 psi. The rest of my cylinders were somewhere between 200-220, except 3, which was on it's way out too at 185 and 35% leakdown.

[DJ 95 Formula]

Optional Kit

Thanks for the comments. I do feel more comfortable going forward with these mods now. My fear was will the top end some how hurt the bottom end if I do nothing to the bottom. Changing one head completely at a time sounds like a good plan, though, does it makes sense to buy new ones and be able to do the whole job or getting mine machined and having to wait for one to come back before pulling the other. I haven't researched enough to see what performance gains there can be maching stock heads compared to eddelbrocks or racenets versions (prolly just refab'd stock)

I was thinking of getting something like Racenets kit http://www.lt1f-body.racenet.net/valvetrain.php the power pack II as it comes with everything I am looking for ( rockers and rods not the tb). Then should I be looking into LT4.