The LT1 engine that will go in is being built by Zane at Zannetec. It got taken +30 to fit the forged pistons that I got on ebay along with forged rods. The crank is a forged one as well, so it all went out for balancing along with the flexplate and the SFI damper. When Zane got it back he spotted what looked like a crack in the block and rang me to tell me the bad news. I had a frantic scramble around but could not find one in the UK, although I could get plenty in the states. Zane took it back to the machine shop for a second opinion and got it under a magnifier where it turned out to be a casting flaw.

The machine shop re-honed the bores and managed to clean it up which was great news for me. With it back at Zannetec he started putting it all together and after a trip there to drop off the bits I’d forgotten to give him (like the mains caps, oops) he got the short motor assembled and made a start on the heads. They are aluminium Camaro ones with upgraded Comp Cams springs and roller rockers. Should hopefully all be together in the next week or so, as long as a replacement oil pump drive shaft turns up (I’d forgotten to get one with the pump). Can’t wait to get the motor and trans in as I’ll be able to get on with building the rest of the car up. Stay tuned!