[JSH]

Originally Posted by CS10SS

Gotta save some upgrades for the future.

Agree 100%, which is why I added 200 crank last year via a custom valve train and headers in my 1st group of mods, but no SC or TB changes, other than 10% lower pulley.

My 2nd group could have included anything but will incl.:

Ported SC
103
DSX LP
GripTec snout 2.4
FII blower spacer plates & thermal reduction blanket
MM CC

My 3rd group might incl. a 2650, DSX HP, etc., or not.

[ZLAV1N]

Progress is being made & the build is coming along nicely. Katech found out that some of the guides are beyond spec and a few are right at the limit of the GM spec. Apparently this happens on LT4's. Mine only had 7,700 miles when the build started. So we added bronze guides with Katech Ti/Mo Valves just to be safe & prevent any issues down the road.

[SFV1LE]

It all looks great, love the blueprinting sheet! Is the pic on the bottom a head after CNC but before final steps that result in that polished look? Both look clean as new, but the head at the top is so shiny, and has hand markings.

EDIT: I zoomed in close to the one on the bottom and looks like there is no CNC yet on that, it still has the casting look finish around the valves.

[EDFHOBBIES]

Originally Posted by CS10SS

Progress is being made & the build is coming along nicely. Katech found out that some of the guides are beyond spec and a few are right at the limit of the GM spec. Apparently this happens on LT4's. Mine only had 7,700 miles when the build started. So we added bronze guides with Katech Ti/Mo Valves just to be safe & prevent any issues down the road.

Question...

The weak link of the factory rotating asm is the thrust bearing I believe. Is this addressed while the engine is out? If so can they do a little spill on how they go about the upgrade?

I'd be interested to see why and what it looks like? I've heard complete street do a spill and maybe weapon X but never any photos and why the thrust bearing is the problem or how its corrected.

I believe they see failure just past a the 900 mark which is why I haven't turned up my setup much past 1000.

a lot shops do cams in the car, but your motor is out and seems like a good idea to look at it.

[Katech_Mike]

Originally Posted by EDFHOBBIES

Question...

The weak link of the factory rotating asm is the thrust bearing I believe. Is this addressed while the engine is out? If so can they do a little spill on how they go about the upgrade?

I'd be interested to see why and what it looks like? I've heard complete street do a spill and maybe weapon X but never any photos and why the thrust bearing is the problem or how its corrected.

I believe they see failure just past a the 900 mark which is why I haven't turned up my setup much past 1000.

a lot shops do cams in the car, but your motor is out and seems like a good idea to look at it.

This engine is 100% stock bottom end. If we were doing a full engine build we would install a complete thrust bearing.

We have yet to fail a thrust bearing on a stock bottom end LT4 even on 1,000RWHP set ups.

Anything much past 1,000RWHP we would recommend building the bottom.

[EDFHOBBIES]

Originally Posted by Katech_Mike

This engine is 100% stock bottom end. If we were doing a full engine build we would install a complete thrust bearing.

We have yet to fail a thrust bearing on a stock bottom end LT4 even on 1,000RWHP set ups.

Anything much past 1,000RWHP we would recommend building the bottom.

I understand but those of us on budget builds that want to use stock internals and correct this problem would be interested or I would.

[JSH]

Mike,
I see you only have 7 posts here, and just want to say that a lot of Camaro guys at this site, myself included, would surely benefit from having your/KaTech's input on many if not most topics. I've said to you in email that I will send my next car and perhaps my current car to KaTech.

Originally Posted by Katech_Mike

This engine is 100% stock bottom end. If we were doing a full engine build we would install a complete thrust bearing.

We have yet to fail a thrust bearing on a stock bottom end LT4 even on 1,000RWHP set ups.

Anything much past 1,000RWHP we would recommend building the bottom.

[swisstyphoon]

Originally Posted by EDFHOBBIES

I understand but those of us on budget builds that want to use stock internals and correct this problem would be interested or I would.

Here is an explanation
https://www.enginebuildermag.com/202...february-2020/
The Gen V thrust bearing looks more like a half a washer.
My engine shop converted mine to the King LS style bearings while the engine was apart.

[Katech_Mike]

Originally Posted by EDFHOBBIES

I understand but those of us on budget builds that want to use stock internals and correct this problem would be interested or I would.

To replace the thrust bearing the crankshaft has to come out. So at a minimum your replacing all of the torque to yield fasteners in the bottom end (Rod bolts, main bolts, ect).

It honestly doesn't make sense to go that far without doing rods, pistons, main studs, main & rod bearings, ect.

In my opinion I wouldn't touch the bottom end until you're ready to build the engine.

[Katech_Mike]

Originally Posted by JSH

Mike,
I see you only have 7 posts here, and just want to say that a lot of Camaro guys at this site, myself included, would surely benefit from having your/KaTech's input on many if not most topics. I've said to you in email that I will send my next car and perhaps my current car to KaTech.

Thanks for considering Katech for your next build. We're looking into becoming a supporting vendor which will mean much more activity from Zach or myself.

[ZLAV1N]

One step closer.

[SFV1LE]

I hope those head-gaskets hanging from a peg are the ones they took off your motor prior to throwing them out, and not something they plan to install on someone's car :-)

[JSH]

Originally Posted by SFV1LE

I hope those head-gaskets hanging from a peg are the ones they took off your motor prior to throwing them out, and not something they plan to install on someone's car :-)

I would think those are otherwise good gaskets off of customer's engines that took a beating during removal. Hopefully not blown gaskets from customers lifting the heads with too much... N2O

[SFV1LE]

Any N2O is too much N2O :-)