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Questions about LT1 Upgrades

I am currently building an LT1 engine for my 1976 Corvette. This engine came out of a 1995 Z28 Camaro w/ a 6 speed trans. Now my question is.... I am wanting to do some lower end work on the engine, I have port and polished heads and intake, roller cam, rockers and lifters, and high flow injectors and intake. I was originaly wanting to build a 383stroker engine but after doing some research, I found that with most kitsrequire a lot of grinding and clearencingof theblock, rods and crank. I am not wanting to build a race engine here, just an engine that has the power when I need/want it. This car is going to be a driver, so I want this engine to last a long time before it needs to be rebuilt again. Ihave built 355 engines before by boring the engine30 over, butthat was with 1st generation 350 blocks. I am wanting to know if their are any compaines out heir that have a 355 kit for 2nd generation 350's (LT1's) or if it is even possible to build a LT1 355. Any info. on this will help me out a lot. (This is the first time I have used this part of the Corvette Forums site so if this is the wrong section of the site to post this question please direct me in the right direction) Thanks, Dan.

RE: Questions about LT1 Upgrades

It's an iron blcok so you ought to be okay going 30 over and just buying a good set of 30 over pistons. Frankly, my experience is that its almost cheaper anymore to just buy a short-blcok compared to rebuilding the engine (at least if you want a stroker and have to buy a new crank anyway). You might shop around for a 383 short-block. I can't imagine it would cost over about $2000.

RE: Questions about LT1 Upgrades

I called around and found a kit that will work, with out any mods except of course boring my cylinders out.Thanks, for the info. anyway Lee and like you said it would be cheaper to buy an engine already built, but what would be the fun it that. Another thing about buying a prebuilt engine is the fact that you might know what parts were used to build the engine but youdon't exactly know what was done to the engine to make those parts fit/work. Thanks, Dan.

RE: Questions about LT1 Upgrades

Have fun. And you are right, building it is a good way to get just what you want.