368...should I, could I, would I

[Hib Halverson]

"Barney" my Dark Purple Metallic 95, has a little over 80,000 miles and about 60,000 on it's Automasters Street Skinner engine.

Back in April, my Wife (The Fairest Sandra the Red, Duchess of Goleta) and I ordered a '12 Z06 and after driving it a while, I'm thinking my old 2G ZR1 needs a "shot in the arm"

So, I rang up the Beaglemaster, Jim Van Dorn at Automasters of Bowling Green, and asked him about taking my 350 out to 368. We'd pull my 350, send the block up to Lingenfelter's to have the steel sleeves put in. We'd send the heads over to Greg Van Deventer to be "freshened" and have a few more mods done which he puts in heads which go on 368s. I'm also thinking about changing the intake cams. Then we'd assemble the engine at Automasters and stick it back in the car.

Right now my engine is at about 500-hp and I'd like to see it at 540-550. Think I can get there?

[Eric24]

Should I.....Hell Ya!
Could I.....Hell Ya!
Would I....Hell Ya!

Then I would drive that beast to my favorite Army guys house and let him "drive" it!!

[mike100]

I think you need to add at least 1/2 a liter seeing as how you have recently been corrupted by the thrust of a 7 liter in a lightweight C6.

[tf95ZR1]

All that for 40-50 HP?
Hummmm

[scottfab]

Why only 368?
For a few $ more......

[Paul Workman]

Baby steps, Hib. "State of the art" has eclipsed 368, and it will cost 80-90% of what a serious hp upgrade would cost. Course the result would eclipse the Z06, hp wise anyway.

Just sayin...but U did ask.

P.

[XfireZ51]

I think you can be there w a 350 but you would not do it w just the intake cam.
Since you're in Cali, what about emissions?

[FU]

I concur with XfireZ51. There is someone in the Chicago area that does top end porting on a CNC. Couple that with some good intake's. The combo will get you close to the goal. That package is excellent and a well proven product. No need to go into the block (IMO).

That's what I would do if it were my car.

If your thinking about a 368 my opinion is go big 385-402 or leave it alone , the 350 is fine. This suggestion come's from experience with 368-385-415-441's. Opinion's may vary.

Good Luck

[Hib Halverson]

Originally Posted by scottfab

Why only 368?
For a few $ more......

Well, I'm kinda fixated on the 368 because, if I did it, it'd have to be for under 10 grand and to go 385, I'd need a crankshaft which I bet costs $4000.

My 350 already makes about 500-hp via the port work and other engine mods I have already. I can easily spin the tires, which are F1 Supercars. A good 385 which is streetable, is going to make 580 or so and a good 415 is over 600. All that would do is spin the tires more, but not make the car that much quicker. Obviously, if I put slicks on the car, it'd be a different story...but then I'd be breaking driveline parts.

A comment was made about a 368 with different intake cams failing California's smog check. No doubt, the reason I'm still not sure about the cams is just that–the smog check. Actually the smog check is also why I may have to retain my ported stock exhaust manifolds and cats.

I'm not a drag racer (at least not a frequent one) and I think a 540-550-hp 368, coupled with the right suspension upgrades (right now, other than revalved SRC shocks, my suspension is stock) and a 3.73 axle (right now, the ratio is stock) would make a really fun car. It won't catch my 12 Z06 on a road course, but it will keep it in sight.

[scottfab]

Originally Posted by Hib Halverson

...snip..... It won't catch my 12 Z06 on a road course, but it will keep it in sight.

ah but is the 12 purple .....