My First Stroker

Hello everyone, and welcome to the GMHTP forums. This is longtime GMHTP contributor Chris Werner, and I'm excited that we have this new way to share both feedback on the magazine and information about the cars we know and love.

I wanted to ask the readers what their thoughts are on the "My First Stroker" hands-on LS1 engine build series of stories that began in the August 2006 issue. Have these stories been helpful to you as an enthusiast? Do they make you more or less likely to take on your own LS1 engine build, and do you think the information in them would significantly help you in your parts selection and assembly? Do you find the information contained in these stories to be duplicative of other resources out there (internet, books, or otherwise)?

Let me know any information you want to share so that the other writers and I can make future GMHTP tech stories even more informative and helpful. Thanks, and please be brutally honest with all of your comments!  

I missed the first installment. However, I just read the second installment and all the side bars. I have built performance engines since 1984, but I have NEVER built an lsx series engine. With all that said, I picked up the magazine because my next engine build up is lsx427. Your article was very informative and answered question that I been pondering. I have built on average 2 performance engines a year since '84. So some things you wrote for me was common knowledge(cam degreeing). But for any new enthusiast to our industry/sport that information is vauble. For the majority of people who never cracked open a lsx ( me ), the revelation of alignment for front/rear cover, and oil pan would have been over looked. Rear oil gallery plug... hmmmm thats not on any 1955 to 1989 sbc. The gasket side bar, The details on special tools and why they are needed, your entire article was very well laid out. For someone who never touched a lsx, new guy or seasoned guy it is very helpful..... how do I buy back issues.

Art Wiggins
Chicago, IL  

Art,

Thank you for your comments, I am glad that you found the articles helpful! You will be happy to know that the third installment of "My First Stroker" will appear in the November issue - which is just about to ship out to subscribers - and the fourth (and final) installment will appear in the January issue.

As to back issues, you can find them at www.primediabackissues.com. In addition, the first installment of "My First Stroker" is available on our website here; just click on "Tech" on the left side of the screen.

As these engines become more and more popular to modify, rest assured that GMHTP will stay on top of the market and continue to provide the coverage that enthusiasts are looking for. Good luck on the 427!

Chris  

the storie was great cause i have not bult av ls1 eather and this will help a lot love how you gave other book advise on were else to look for help keep them comming  

Chris
Prior to your "My first stroker" series, we had started building and planning our 455 cu.in LS1.   At the time your first article came out we were ready to start our initial assembly.   We used your series as our bible for assembly. It was extremely informative, well pictured and all of the sidebars were useful.  I look forward to your next series.
Our 455 is running great in our 2002 WS6.  Ran a 10.92 @ 127 mph at ATCO.

Much thanks
BOB  

Chris, I am very interested in your articles "My First Stroker" and need to know all the back issues I need to order to obtain this series of articles.

Thanks in advance,
Travis