Guest taker1996 Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 I'm new to the site and have a Z32 that I plan on doing a swap on. I've been searching old post for many days now but my biggest problem is deciding which block to go with. It's very obvious that LT1's and LS1's are very popular here but what's the benefit to them over let's say a stroked 383 or "aggressive" 350 small block. Originally after reading on here for a while I was just going to go with an LT1 but after talking with a few people I know about it, they asked why not just go with a 350 SBC with a few performance mods. I really couldn't explain the benefit either way. I guess I should explain what I want out of my completed project. I want my car to be streetable and run 12's. I don't know if that's even a feasible combination but that's why I'm asking. I was thinking along the lines of 350 to 400 HP to the wheels but maybe I don't even need that much I dunno. After looking at some engine prices I still can't figure out the best solution. Should I go salvage sbc and rebuild to higher specs, used LT1, or what? This is so frustrating to me and any opinion whould be one step closer in helping me get started. I'm not rich so I need to get the best bang for the money I do have. Thanks in advance for any advice you may have. I respect you guys expertise and appreciate you taking the time out to read this. P.S. I have read tons of post already so please don't flame me and tell me to use search none of the information seemed to answer my question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dpiatkin Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 to get 400 RWHP your block will have to be close to 500 HP !! to be reliable that will take some very careful building...... You should do a search for posts that have been written by a forum member named grumpyvette. This gentleman has more chevy building experience than most 2 guys put together !! and I think his posts will be very helpfull to you!! He has a current posting called "recent engine build up........" in the chevy V8 forum, that is a great example of what I mean. This guy can answer your question I'm sure..... Good luck with your project !! and take lots of digital pic's along the way. And welcome to the forum !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest taker1996 Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 Whoa 500HP! Maybe I'm being unrealistic to what I want to achieve. Let's drop my HP expectations because I obviously don't know any better. I just want something that's fast, powerful and can potentially run in the 12's. I just don't want to complete this swap and still get spanked but stock tt's or something. I guess I just want to be able to keep up with stock Z28's and whatnot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dpiatkin Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 here is a good place to start to see what you might require to reach the "12's" its written for mustang engines but there is a hp to body weight of vehicle and the 1/4 mile et's that can be expected. it will give you a rough estimate as what you really need to reach those times.http://www.jason.fletcher.net/tech/combos/pwrcombo.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dpiatkin Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 not too sure wether the numbers on that chart are block HP or RWHP ?? but it will give you an idea of what you need...... you can figure between 15% and 20% loss in HP from the block due to your tranny etc... so there is a bit of a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted January 15, 2004 Share Posted January 15, 2004 Just my $.02: As I mentioned in some previous posts, I put a SBC in an 85 Mazda RX7. The RX is about the same weight as the Z's, and there are a lot of similar 'issues' with stufing a V8 in where it dont' belong. That aside, heres my point. A STOCK chev 305 (the first motor I put in the RX) with a 4 BBL quadrabog carb, manifolds into 2" exhast, and a 3 speed auto trany, is not a 'big' power combo... But in a light little car it went like hell! I figured (by the ol' but-o-meter and a wrist watch) my RX was probably in the low 13's.. and the drivetrain was all STOCK. No motor build, no shift kit, no a/c or p/s. I would say buy a 'doner' vehicle with a good runing 350/trans and drop that in your Z first. Just because with all the other stuff that needs doing for this kind of swap, a motor build is a lot of extra work and time IMO. In the end, a stock chev drivetrain (say from a 3500lb Camaro) is going to have a HUGE power to weight ratio advantage in a light car, like a Z. Sorry.. thats like $.03 at least... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKDGabe Posted January 16, 2004 Share Posted January 16, 2004 Work up your budget and what the planned use of the car is. Sounds like daily driver... for me I'm going EFI for that use. If it was strictly a strip car carb is cheaper but I want good fuel economy as much as the power. Aquire your parts slowly otherwise you can simply double that cost estimate you just made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
love-my-V8-280Z Posted January 16, 2004 Share Posted January 16, 2004 Im installing a LT1 270HP. I should get 20 MPG and run in the 13's. I have talked to other and they are very pleased with the power. The fuel injection gives you a smooth running car and good gas mileage as well as a motor that will go 200,000 miles. If you want more HP its not much work to add 50 HP or 100 HP. And I would think it may hit the 12's with just a few upgrades. I saw a make it a LT4 kit for $2500 that promised some huge HP's. it was a head and cam kit... Good luck! Just my 2 cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest taker1996 Posted January 16, 2004 Share Posted January 16, 2004 Thanks for the replies. I think I'll just find a stock sbc from a Caprice or something and go from there unless I get a good deal on an LT1 or something. That way I can better gauge the power and torque gains from the V8 swap and have a good idea of where I need to go from there. Thanks again guys! dpiatkin that website is very informative especially if those combinations really work. It does give me a better idea of what to look for in a motor now. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dpiatkin Posted January 16, 2004 Share Posted January 16, 2004 I think you can get real nice gains in HP using both blocks..... difference I believe will be in the drivability of EFI(LT1), or Raw fuel consumption of a carb'...(older block and heads). Good luck with you project !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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