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Building a motor for my 2000 GTP

ls1camino

New member
This coming spring, I was planning on installing a Gen V, Intercooler, VS Cam, and a built transmission. Well, with 117k miles (probably close to 125k by Spring), I added head gaskets to the list of replacement parts.

Then I got to thinking, why break my back removing and installing heads and cleaning up the block, when it would be 100 times easier to just pull the motor/trans as one, and replace them that way. I'm tossing around the idea of building a "fresh" motor. It will give me a nice Winter Project I can occupy myself with while waiting for warmer weather.

I'm thinking of starting with a L26 short block (junkyard pull), pulling it all apart, replacing the bearings and rings and putting it back together with ARP hardware. I'm going to just throw some home-ported L32 heads (bigger valves, right?) on her with the the LS6 Springs and call it a day.

I'm concerned that with the L26 Block, I'll run into PTV clearance issues with the VS Cam. Am I worrying about nothing? Also, is there any difference between the blocks and heads externally? I don't want to run into any last minute fabrications I need to do. I just want to swap over my stock sensors, covers, and accessories then fire her up to go get dyno-tuned.
 


i say do it. new 9.4 compression l26 block with the stronger rods and a cammed genV setup, it could even be a mild cam and id bet you would still be happy
 
just buy a L67 block, cheaper.

Not worth the bump in compression?

I can find an N/A GP around here a lot easier than a GTP. I just said L26, instead of L36 cause of the powdered rods. I'm sure a L36 will survive the mild build I am planning.

My questions are still valid.

go with an xp and do it right, you wont be sorry trust me.

I don't want to lose the reliability of the timing chain in my daily driver by upping the springs to 105# to properly rev out the the XP. I'm giving up a little power for reliability. The 75-shot of nitrous that I already have on the car will more than supplement the slight difference between the two cams.
 
lower compression is just easier if you ask me, less chance at popping a piston because you can run alot more boost on lower compression than high compression.
 


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