GIRDLE vs. BILLET MAINS

[benoitthegr8]

ABOUT TO REBUILD MY ENGINE, I'M BETWEEN WANTING TO GIRDLE IT, OR GO WITH THE BILLET CENTER CAPS. WITH THE COMBO I WILL BE RUNNING THE CAR SHOULD RUN IN THE 10'S. WHAT I'M WONDERING IS THE BENEFITS AND NEGATIVES BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT BOTTOM END BUILDS.

 

[REDS HOT AIR]

this should be interesting

1 vote for girdle with stock caps here

 

[1320n10]

girdle with stock caps here also. The motor has been freshened 4 times and every time the line hone that was done with the girdle install has been perfect.

 

[V6 Beast]

Billet Centers here.

Sully

 

[DR BOOST]

billet centers

 

[benoitthegr8]

I SAW V6BEAST'S GN GO FOR SOME RUNS IN MOORESVILLE, I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE ON YOUR WEBPAGE THAT YOU HAD ONLY THE 2 BILLET CENTER CAPS. THAT'S A WELL BUILT MOTOR, 10. TEENS IS RUNNING FAST.

 

[RobsIron]

Either is more than adequate. Whatever your budget allows.

I've got billets.

 

[RobsIron]

By the way, I had a 671 Blown Injected Alchohol 331 SBC with a 2 bolt main stock caps and a girdle back in the 80s....no problems.

 

[83ttypecooled]

boom

Hi,
I'm not up your projected horsepower range, 500+ I guess. However, I saw an interesting article in gnttype.org where the back quarter of the crank, with converter, no less, broke off. I think it was called the run over the crank club, multimedia site. My point is, strong main caps at 2 and 3 will not help you there. I would say this is a good case for a girdle.
Dale

 

[GNVYUS 1]

I would go with the Girdle and be done with it. Its a wiser investment than just the centers if you plan on going fast.

I have the billet centers, but I plan on going faster than I expected. I HOPE the centers will stay alive, where if I had the girdle I would KNOW it would stay alive.

 

[Intercooler]

The money should be spent on a crank (Eagle) that won't give up the ghost. That is what is needed.

 

[steveX]

I am in the process of restoring my car and rebuilding the LC1. I want to go 9`s . so i did the four steel billet main with the girlde. i figure if am going to run 9`s i might has well go all out. I am pretty sure you will be just fine with the girdle. you must make sure you line bore the main.

 

[Intercooler]

What's an LC1? Never heard of it.

 

[turbotwister]

GIRDLE IS THE WAY!

Hi,

I have biult three engines with girdles that are currently being thoroughly tortured.keeping the caps from moving and strengthening the block are major prioritys that just going with steel caps cannot solve.one of the engines was recently taken apart for freshening and i was very happy with the small amount of wear to the bearings and no signs of any other damage or wear.i have seen plenty of engines without girdles with either broken caps(stock) and\or cap walk.

In my opinion a girdle is not an option it is a necessity.

,Nick

 

[Ttype6]

The girdle and stock caps will handle more power than steel caps alone. The current T.S.M. record holder runs stock caps,girdle,stock crank,stock balancer,and stock rods.

 

[DR BOOST]

Originally posted by Ttype6
The girdle and stock caps will handle more power than steel caps alone. The current T.S.M. record holder runs stock caps,girdle,stock crank,stock balancer,and stock rods.

step into 2005 please.

 

[1320n10]

And who would the record holder be????

 

[re-evaluating]

I know, I know, pick me I know!!!!!!!

Originally posted by 1320n10
And who would the record holder be????

King David and the motor is all stock like all TSM cars..



















And I don't mean me....... But my stock block does wear a girdle.

 

[benoitthegr8]

IS IT BETTER TO RUN A GIRDLE WITH BILLET MAINS, OR WITH THE STOCK ONE'S? DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

 

[V6 Beast]

Well that is hard to say. I can't think of any reason that using billets centers with girdle would be inferior to stock centers. Now they may be overkill, but plenty of people think the girdle is overkill so why not go all the way? The crank will probably break 1st NE way.


Hey Dave! Thanks for answering my email

Sully