Popped the engine in my Firebird - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

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?

Judd View Member Profile	Apr 23 2006, 03:35 AM Post #1
Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 231 Joined: 9-January 04 From: N.E Ga. Member No.: 112	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?

Judd View Member Profile	Apr 24 2006, 03:37 PM Post #2
Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 231 Joined: 9-January 04 From: N.E Ga. Member No.: 112	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.