ls1 experts
 

Just finished putting a cam in the sons LS1 99 camaro with a new dual roller chain. What do you think about checking the bearings, will I have to replace the bolts when this is done. And do you have to resize the rods if you put in good bolts?? It had good oil pressure and ran ok. Thanks Tom

Re: ls1 experts
 

I am not an expert, but I had a heads/cam street car with a stock bottom end, and drove it everywhere. Ran 11.50's @ 3700#'s still had a/c, I would say just run it unless he plans on using the bottle. The stick cars can be a problem for the rear end if using good tires and it hops at all. A couple mfgrs sell lower control arm brackets that move the rear control arm mount down on the rear that will help. If changing rear gears, I would recommend a solid pinion spacer.

From my expierence,
Jason

ls1tech.com is a good source if info - at least it used to be when I had a street car.

Re: ls1 experts
 

Tom,

I take back stock bottom end - I upgraded rod bolts.

http://store.katechengines.com/share...unt2=201011300

If I remember right they were ARP stuff sold by Katech. I just took the old ones out and lubed/torqued the new ones one by one.

Jason

Re: ls1 experts
 

Tom, like Jason said...get some good (boxed) lower control arms, the re-location brackets, drop the lca's down to lowest holes, a right side airbag for a little pre-load, a T/A rear cover and HD stud bolt kit, some HD (I used Moser) aftermarket axles, and the 10 bolt 7.5" rear will live---for AWHILE. 4.10's worked great for me w/my stick car, and a Vig. 3200 stall w/3.73's works very well w/the automatic cars....this, w/your cam, headers, and a good computer re-tune, and a set of M/T d.o.t. radial drags should put you very solidly into the 11's. Best wishes. WJ:)

Re: ls1 experts
 

Bolts are supposed to be replaced if removed If you use ARP they can be reused they torque instead of
torque/angle should not change size of rod because fractures line rod/cap up bolts just clamp LS rods
together bolts do not align rod and cap on LS rods.
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: ls1 experts
 

You do not recondition LS-1 rods in the normal manner. If changing the bolts causes them to go out of round, you resize the rod to a lrger bore size, and use a special rod bearing sold by Clevite (now Mahle).

I do not encourage people to waste money on rod bolts for fractured powdered metal rods. Just buy a set of rods, even the budget import rods are better than the powdered metal stuff.