Forged 355 Project

TERMINATED 

Following my 11.8 run at the end of the 2007 season, I decided that I could make better use of
the power available to me with a forged 355 bottom end. The improved quench, fresh build and
the ability to rev beyond 6500rpm was very attractive; a local board member happened to have
a freshly built 355 for sale and I couldn't pass it up. I arranged deal with another local board
member to complete the install for me.

The plan was to reuse the LE2 heads and LE1HL cam, they were plenty big for a 355 and barely
had 8000 miles on them. The stock shortblock was set aside for a future project.

The project was an absolute nightmare. It seemed like everything that could go wrong did. I
spent much more than I had anticipated and in the end, the motor vibrated so bad, the project
was terminated. Parts were sold to minimize the loss. The old shortblock was removed, we determined that the crank was cracked, two of the main caps were backwards and in the wrong positions and that all of the rods were damaged.

I decided that if I had to spend the time and money rebuilding the whole motor,  I was going to
upgrade to a 383 while I was at it. 

Shopping list for the 355 Project:

Forged 355 Shortblock----------- Private Sale 03/18/2008
- Zero deck '94 LT1 block, bored +.030" (fresh)
- Arp main studs
- Eagle H Beam Rods
- Ross 4cc Pistons
- Custom SBC crank, lightened, balanced and machined to fit.

Tri Armor Rings----------------- Musclecar Specialties 02/22/08
Clevite bearings---------------- Musclecar Specialties 02/22/08

Spohn Kmember w/poly mounts----- Spohn.net 02/18/08

Intake manifold gasket set------ Musclecar Specialties 02/22/08
58mm TB gasket------------------ Musclecar Specialties 02/22/08
Timing cover gasket------------- Musclecar Specialties 02/22/08
Water pump gaskets-------------- Musclecar Specialties 02/22/08
Valve cover gaskets------------- Musclecar Specialties 02/22/08
PCV Valve ---------------------- Local Vendor 03/10/08
High Volume Oil Pump ----------- Local Vendor 03/10/08
NGK TR55 Spark Plugs ----------- Local Vendor 03/10/08
160* Thermostat ---------------- Local Vendor 03/10/08

Prothane Engine Mounts --------- Jegs.com 04/04/08
Prothane Tranny Mount ---------- Jegs.com 04/04/08
.026" Head Gaskets ------------- Summitracing.com 04/04/08
Percy's Header Gaskets --------- Summitracing.com 04/04/08
1350 U Joint ------------------- Local Vendor 5/23/08
Timing Chain ------------------- Local Vendor 5/23/08
Master Cylinder and Line Lock -- Private Sale 05/27/08

Head Refresh ------------------- Lloyd Elliott 04/11/08
KMotion 800 Springs ------------ Lloyd Elliott 04/11/08
New guideplates ---------------- Summitracing.com 04/11/08

Painted Intake Manifold -------- Blue99TA
Painted Acc Bracket ------------ Blue99TA
Painted Water Pump Housing ----- Blue99TA
Polished Rims ------------------ Blue99TA

Installation-------------------- Hale-Bent Performance 5/29/08
Updated Tune-------------------- Ed Wright @ Fastchip.com

TERMINATED

DUE TO EXCESSIVE VIBRATION