LL8 Rebuild. Any upgrades recommended?

[c good]

I'm thinking about picking up a Junk Yard engine for a rebuild project. My Envoy is running great (knock wood) but has 200K miles on it. I've rebuilt Chevy 350's, Nissan 4 bangers, Volvo 4 cylinders, etc. Nothing as technical as this LL8 but I've learned alot just reading all the posts here. I would have a machine shop do the new cylinder sleeves and mic everything out.

I'm just wondering if there are any upgrades to stock G.M. parts that might be worth while? Better pistons? Different Cams? Better oil pump? Head bolt stud kits? Timing chains, tensioners, etc...

I don't want a high performance engine. Just stock or a little more H.P. is just fine. Mainly I want it to be reliable. Thanks for any ideas.

 

[Ilikemy3s]

With the given specifics of the engine, I am not sure there are any shops that do rebuild them

 

[Mooseman]

There are some differences in heads and crankshafts that you might want to look into. Look into Nivlac57's YouTube channel. He has a video that explains which are the better parts and which are desirable and undesirable years.

Nobody ever made an improved/upgraded oil pump but our stock pump is plenty stout, supplying over 80 psi at speed.

Nivlac57 does have a line on crazy upgraded parts like pistons and connecting rods but unless you plan on adding a massive turbo, you won't need anything like that. The stock parts he's shown can make plenty of power and still hold together. Even the stock bottom end can survive over 1000 HP.

 

[TJBaker57]

There may be useful informations in the Wiki as well.

Vortec4200wiki

Welcome to the Vortec 4200 Wiki. This is centered around the Vortec 4200 platform. Here you will find lots of information on the performance and modification of Vortec 4200 engines.

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