Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
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Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
We have an '89 RS with a sweet little 305 (all stock). She runs good, but we want more HP. My uncle gave us a 350 engine from 1996 Chevy truck. It is all stock with original Vortec heads; no intake. It is a little rough, but we are totally rebuilding it. Our goal is 400 hp. We need some help on this task and we have a lot of questions. He also gave us some cast heads (3970126), port and polished 2.02 int.-1.95 ex. Are these heads worth putting money into to rebuild or should I keep and rebuild the votecs or buy new heads?
Last edited by AKA Greg; 05-13-2017 at 07:10 AM. Reason: Miss type
#3
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
It is fairly easy to make 400Hp on Vortec heads with new springs. The 96-2000 vortec heads are the best iron head chevy ever made stock. Ditch the 126 heads they are not nearly as good, bring the others to a shop, have them checked for cracks and have screw in studs installed and good springs installed leave the valves the stock size.
Keep the cam roller maybe something like comps 12-432-8 and you will have a great machine.
Keep the cam roller maybe something like comps 12-432-8 and you will have a great machine.
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
We are doing a complete rebuild with new bearings, lifters, rebuild the heads, etc...I was going to install a 488 cam - then have the cylinders bored over .030.
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
And put in a new TBI ...thought about a Holley 4 barrel carb and regulator. What do you think?
#6
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
Can you post a link to the cam. Either way it will make more power with vortec heads vs the 126 heads. Make sure you get proper pistons not crapper re builder pistons that sit too low.
Grab an RPM performer or Air gap or clone of either one if you are going carbed.
Grab an RPM performer or Air gap or clone of either one if you are going carbed.
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
It is fairly easy to make 400Hp on Vortec heads with new springs. The 96-2000 vortec heads are the best iron head chevy ever made stock. Ditch the 126 heads they are not nearly as good, bring the others to a shop, have them checked for cracks and have screw in studs installed and good springs installed leave the valves the stock size.
Keep the cam roller maybe something like comps 12-432-8 and you will have a great machine.
Keep the cam roller maybe something like comps 12-432-8 and you will have a great machine.
We are not using anything from the 305. All new or rebuilt.
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...00106/10002/-1
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
#12
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
#13
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
Think of it this way stock 170CC vorted heads flow better than some of the older large port bowtie "performance" heads. They can support 400hp with zero porting or valve changes.
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...nVvBoCWLHw_wcB
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
~What kind of pistons and ring set should I look for?
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
#18
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
You want a set of pistons with a 1.56 compression height not a 1.54 Shoot for a 9.5:1 compression and it should help you stay away from other issues.
Here is a calculator.
https://www.summitracing.com/popup/c...ion-calculator
I am using these but they are discontinued
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/stl-h345ncp
You can get lifter kits from comp but you may be able to reuse yours. Give comp a call I am sure they have a kit. Make sure to tell them it is not a retrofit
Looks like these are the lifters the recommend
http://www.compperformancegroupstore...ct_Code=850-16
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...?csid=189&sb=2
Here is a calculator.
https://www.summitracing.com/popup/c...ion-calculator
I am using these but they are discontinued
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/stl-h345ncp
You can get lifter kits from comp but you may be able to reuse yours. Give comp a call I am sure they have a kit. Make sure to tell them it is not a retrofit
Looks like these are the lifters the recommend
http://www.compperformancegroupstore...ct_Code=850-16
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...?csid=189&sb=2
#20
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
Make sure those are actually vortec heads. Vortecs didn't come until 1996, so they would have to had swapped them over if that block is a 92.
I made about 420 hp with my vortec setup. Vortec heads, with beehives and a comp 280xfi/hr, on a low compression l98 factory block.
86mph in the 1/8 with a 3524lb car.
I made about 420 hp with my vortec setup. Vortec heads, with beehives and a comp 280xfi/hr, on a low compression l98 factory block.
86mph in the 1/8 with a 3524lb car.
#21
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
The will have one of these two casting numbers.
10239906 (#906) or 12558062 (#062)
A lot of them can be identified by the saw tooth pattern on the front.
http://www.onedirt.com/tech-stories/...k-chevy-heads/
10239906 (#906) or 12558062 (#062)
A lot of them can be identified by the saw tooth pattern on the front.
http://www.onedirt.com/tech-stories/...k-chevy-heads/
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
Make sure those are actually vortec heads. Vortecs didn't come until 1996, so they would have to had swapped them over if that block is a 92.
I made about 420 hp with my vortec setup. Vortec heads, with beehives and a comp 280xfi/hr, on a low compression l98 factory block.
86mph in the 1/8 with a 3524lb car.
I made about 420 hp with my vortec setup. Vortec heads, with beehives and a comp 280xfi/hr, on a low compression l98 factory block.
86mph in the 1/8 with a 3524lb car.
#23
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
I was told it was a 92 engine...I am checking the block number tonight. The engine might be a mid to late 90's. You're right about the Vortec heads though...1996 and up. Thanks for your input. We are just getting started and I am not made of $ so, this will take a year or so to complete. Thanks irocman7!
The block casting number should be 10243880. Also known as the 880's.
I am now running an 880 4 bolt main 383. Good motors.
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
You want a set of pistons with a 1.56 compression height not a 1.54 Shoot for a 9.5:1 compression and it should help you stay away from other issues.
Here is a calculator.
https://www.summitracing.com/popup/c...ion-calculator
I am using these but they are discontinued
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/stl-h345ncp
You can get lifter kits from comp but you may be able to reuse yours. Give comp a call I am sure they have a kit. Make sure to tell them it is not a retrofit
Looks like these are the lifters the recommend
http://www.compperformancegroupstore...ct_Code=850-16
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...?csid=189&sb=2
Here is a calculator.
https://www.summitracing.com/popup/c...ion-calculator
I am using these but they are discontinued
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/stl-h345ncp
You can get lifter kits from comp but you may be able to reuse yours. Give comp a call I am sure they have a kit. Make sure to tell them it is not a retrofit
Looks like these are the lifters the recommend
http://www.compperformancegroupstore...ct_Code=850-16
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...?csid=189&sb=2
Last edited by AKA Greg; 03-17-2017 at 11:51 AM.
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
Yep, checking the numbers on the heads and block tonight. Thanks guys.
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
The will have one of these two casting numbers.
10239906 (#906) or 12558062 (#062)
A lot of them can be identified by the saw tooth pattern on the front.
http://www.onedirt.com/tech-stories/...k-chevy-heads/
10239906 (#906) or 12558062 (#062)
A lot of them can be identified by the saw tooth pattern on the front.
http://www.onedirt.com/tech-stories/...k-chevy-heads/
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
We removed the heads today. Some forums say the heads I have shown here (10239906) are good and others say they should be replaced with new aluminum vortec heads to reach the 400 to 425 horsepower we are looking for.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/97458/
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/97458/
Last edited by AKA Greg; 03-18-2017 at 03:57 PM.
#30
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
We removed the heads today. Some forums say the heads I have shown here (10239906) are good and others say they should be replaced with new aluminum vortec heads to reach the 400 to 425 horsepower we are looking for.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/97458/
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/97458/
Plan on upgrading the valve train, I went with beehive valve springs comp retainers, and arp screw in studs. It was less than 300 with the machine work.
All the ones I have seen cracked, were cracked right in the middle between the two water jackets. When you pop those off clean that area with a wire brush and check.
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
That article was denunked a few years back, surprised its still floating around.. I'm running the 906s myself. Same flow numbers between all of them
Plan on upgrading the valve train, I went with beehive valve springs comp retainers, and arp screw in studs. It was less than 300 with the machine work.
All the ones I have seen cracked, were cracked right in the middle between the two water jackets. When you pop those off clean that area with a wire brush and check.
Plan on upgrading the valve train, I went with beehive valve springs comp retainers, and arp screw in studs. It was less than 300 with the machine work.
All the ones I have seen cracked, were cracked right in the middle between the two water jackets. When you pop those off clean that area with a wire brush and check.
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
It is fairly easy to make 400Hp on Vortec heads with new springs. The 96-2000 vortec heads are the best iron head chevy ever made stock. Ditch the 126 heads they are not nearly as good, bring the others to a shop, have them checked for cracks and have screw in studs installed and good springs installed leave the valves the stock size.
Keep the cam roller maybe something like comps 12-432-8 and you will have a great machine.
Keep the cam roller maybe something like comps 12-432-8 and you will have a great machine.
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
What needs machined to add lift? I know the machinist will know what to do, but I would like to know for my own edification.
Last edited by AKA Greg; 11-26-2017 at 09:39 PM. Reason: wrong word
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
I found a good price on a 383 Stroker Kit. We are getting the short block overhauled to be a 383. But 1st the heads are off to the machine shop to be checked and machined.
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
This is the 383 stroker kit we want to install. We have to modify the block to add clearance for the bigger stroke.
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
Yes, I want to stay around 9.5:1 to 10:1 compression.
#44
Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
Just recently finished a 383, but have not gotten it into the car yet. 400 horse is doable, and there are plenty of proven combinations out there!
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
Awesome. I hope she runs and sounds great for you. We've hit a wall for now...summer is near and cruise ins and shows are the plan for a few months. We will get back into it later this year. Now it's time to drive.
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
Last edited by AKA Greg; 05-18-2017 at 05:02 PM.
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
Personally I think a 272 cam would be fine for you if your are not all out drag racing the car. A 282 is pretty big and really moves your tq range arround and pushes that peak rpm up alot. I suppose it also goes into play what rear end gears you have and trans(tq converter stall)...exc. Now saying that, I wish the PO that had my engine before put a larger cam into it.... the xe268 is way too small for me personally when drag racing. If you do go with a xe282 then make sure to keep the compression ratio static at 10:1 or more. It will really help with a cam that size.
Personally i have a 385, 11.1:1 compression, eagle rotating assembly, 750 cfm carb, 1.6 roller t rockers, xe268 cam, Dart Iron heads 200/80 cc runners 23* and make 12.10 passes at 110mph so about 400hp or a touch more. I know you are trying to stay a bit lower compression wise. 10:1 would be about right for you if you plan to drive it around alot and retain iron vortec heads. Just run 93 octane if its available .
Last edited by fasteddi; 05-18-2017 at 05:08 PM.
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Re: Building a 400 hp Engine from a 5.7L Votec
Thanks fasteddi. I will keep this in mind. I appreciate all of the info I am getting from all of the veteran motor heads. This is the biggest undertaking we have attempted, but will be worth it when we finish.