I think I pretty well futzed up the engine in my Firebird at the Friday Open track session at Road Atlanta. It layed down on me coming down the back straight and I let off of it at the crest of the hill. Got back into it right after the crest and it started making a bit of noise. I checked the temp and oil pressure and both were good so I once again got back into the gas after 10B and that's when I decided that since I was right at the pits I would go ahead and pull in. Good thing too, I let off the gas as I was coming into the pits and it shut off. At first I thought it was a broken rocker or a push rod or something but I'm pretty sure it's a terminal condition. Gonna go get it Sunday. O-well, not that let down because I have had alot of fun with it and beat on it pretty well. It had over 250 1/4 mile passes, bout the same amount of AutoX passes, well over 100 miles of track time at Road Atlanta and around 55K hard street miles that includes a crapload of play up in the mountains.

I think it's time to get a big engine now,,, I'm thinking I want something like 500-550RWHP! I want a dead reliable bottom end,, any opinions on a 400cid+ short block?

If it an LS1 and you have the money I'd say go for it, if it's an LT1 I wouldn't bother going over a 396

It's a LS1 and I think after looking through a few vendors this weekend I'll be going with a LS2 based 402. Several different builders are offering them and it really looks like the best bang for the buck. Only down side is that I will not be able to run knock sensors untill someone figures out a way to change frequency in the PCM or something else that will work. Really like the knock sensors being there.

Ever figure out exactly what broke? Katech rod bolts are great for making the low end more reliable. Did you have a fast ramp cam? That's what worries me about my setup.

I haven't even looked at it yet, it's over at my parents house presently and it will be awhile before I get over there and check it out. I'm pretty sure it's a spun rod bearing though. The cam was a TSP 231 and it's an older and slower ramp design. I think it was just too many miles of high rpm running.