clinebarger
Thread starter
Oddly fascinated with this project - any updates?
How does one match parts together for something like this? (Lifters, heads, even gaskets, etc). I'm guessing the harness / brain box is a nightmare.
I get that there is a lot of skill involved - but is there a community of engine builders who share what works with what? (Genuine question from someone who can barely figure out a stock engine).
Intended usage & power/torque goals is a good place to start......The only engines I custom build are LSx engines & I'm very familiar with them.
For this one......
*Texas Speed & Performance put the stroker kit together for me & everything was perfect, I just told them how much dish I needed in the piston to obtain the 10:1 CR.
*Cylinder Heads choice was easy, I need low RPM torque production, Pretty big Chamber size to avoid having the pistons down in the hole thus ruining Quench. These 317's will probably run out of steam at @ 5,500 RPM, Which is fine for this build. If higher RPM is required......A set of CNC ported LS3 heads would be needed.
*Lifters.....Like I said, I've had great luck with LS7 lifters & were the best GM had to offer 'till the Bowtie lifters came out.
*I use OE GM head gaskets on all my builds, Mild to Wild!
*Camshaft selection is VERY important & will Make Or Break a build. Cam Motion helps me with that!
I build custom wiring harnesses & modify OE harnesses in house, I have all the GM Packard/Delphi Crimpers required for this., This particular build won't require as many modifications as one would think.......
*I'll start with a '03-'07 4.8L/5.3L/6.0L truck harness & remove all the 4L60E/4L80E transmission control circuits.
*I'll take the 8.1L/Allison 1000 Harness & separate the 2....Not difficult as they are almost separate from the factory.
*Will be using the factory 8.1L PCM & will be custom tuned on a chassis dyno to get the AFR dialed in & the base tune built. Then road tested & tweaked for roughly 500 miles. Then the trailer & Skid Steer will be hooked up to the truck for some HARD shake down runs to assure the engine doesn't Lean-Out or have any drivability problems.
*Transmission shift points will also be custom calibrated.....Normal & Tow Haul Modes.