Looking for cheap lt1 build up advice (is now a LS1 or LT1)

[Guest iskone]

I want to build a 450hp motor with reliablity.

I'll be looking to buy a lt1 t56 drive train.

 

Done some reading but havn't got solid answers.

 

I don't want to do a stroker with an lt1 if I can get the 450hp number with out it.

[Tim240z]

I think that you should consider going LS1 instead....

[dmyntti]

Check the Camaro and Firebird sites for your answer. You can get there with an LT1 but you will need to do ported heads and a big Cam (CC306 or GM847). There is a head porter on fbody.com named Loyd Elliot that everyone seems to like and his prices are reasonable last time I checked.

[Guest iskone]

Why go LS1? I'd love to go that route but the price of the conversion has always lead me away.

 

I'll pooke around on some camaro/firebird forums, got anywhere I should start.

[Tim240z]

Hopefully Mike (Mas280) will chime in. He did tons of mods to his LT1, then went LS1 and with some minor mods is putting out a lot more ponies.....

Maybe search through some of his posts....

[Guest iskone]

I'll look around

I may reconsider going with the LS1 if I find a cheap one on ebay.

I know the LS1 doesn't take much to make 450hp and it's looking like the LT1 with mods would be pretty comprable.

[Tim240z]

Mike spent a bunch of time and $$$ on his LT1 and never got to 400rwhp. With a cam and a few minor mods, he has 400rwhp with the LS1....food for though. Plus, maybe the biggest factor od all....no Optispark!!

Coilpack ignition is a much better option (LS1).

I have the LT1 T56 in my Z, and it's a great engine, but for higher HP requirements, all I'm saying is that learn from others experience, and then decide. If I were to do it over, I would go LS1.

[dmyntti]

For websites try fbody.com and cz28.com The forums tend to turn into flame wars but there is alot if info with dyno numbers on these boards.

[Guest iskone]

I've read about problems with accessory mounting as well.

 

I looked into making more power with the LS1 but every thing I've seen that makes 450hp with the LS1 uses new heads, a cost I would like to avoid.

 

I'm I looking in the wrong places, I did a net search and found a site called ls1.com

 

I thought one could get that kind of power with a LS6 intake, camshaft, headers, cold air, and a 85mm TB

 

Do I need to add more to the list?

I searched on hybrid for LS1 mods but could'nt find anything making 450hp.

[mas28O]

Lt1 is good motor, but if you are looking at making 450hp do not waste your time with the lt1. It will cost you less to make 450hp out of a ls1 vs a lt1.

 

 

LT1 mods

heads

cam

1.6rr

52mm tb

320rwhp

11.8@114

 

Ls1 mod

cam

ported tb

 

Under drive pulley

398rwhp with old cam 405rwhp with new cam

11.1@122.8mph

 

 

Good luck

 

 

 

Mike

[Tim240z]

Lt1 is good motor' date=' but if you are looking at making 450hp do not waste your time with the lt1. It will cost you less to make 450hp out of a ls1 vs a lt1.

 

 

LT1 mods

heads

cam

1.6rr

52mm tb

320rwhp

11.8@114

 

Ls1 mod

cam

ported tb

 

Under drive pulley

398rwhp with old cam 405rwhp with new cam

11.1@122.8mph

 

 

Good luck

 

 

 

Mike[/quote']

 

There you have it from the man himself!!!

[Guest iskone]

Damn!

A cam and a ported tb!? That's it? oh wait and the under drive pulley.

 

Do you have headers, cold air, or a reprogramed map?

 

If that's the case I'm going with the LS1!

[Tim240z]

Told ya so

[mas28O]

I have a nice cold air intake, and 13/4" headers. I am using a auto trans so a t56 should make more power.

[Pop N Wood]

If you are at all worried about smog, then might want to check into you local laws (BTW I use to live in Bremerton). LS1's are OBDII. There have been members who sold there LS1 Z's because the referee said the car needed ABS sensors.

[Guest PROJECTRB240SX]

WOULDN'T A 383 STROKER KIT, FULL HEAD WORK (PORT, POLISH, DOME CLEANING, 3-ANGLE, ETC.), PROPER SIZED CAM, AND A MATCHING EXHAUST GET YOU CLOSE TO THAT POWER GOAL?

[Guest iskone]

A 383 would get me there without a problem, the price for the 383 I had built on paper along with the t56 from d&d performance was about the same price as buying a ls1 drive train for $5,000 of ebay.

If I had a choice between a ls1 and a pre 86 383 I'd go ls1, even if the ls1 cost me $1,000-$1,500 more I'd still go ls1.

 

The referee? Are you talking about the state troopers?

I wasn't worried about emissions, I'll take a look at the laws or give the state troopers a call.

[Guest PROJECTRB240SX]

I'M TALKING 383 LT1. IF YOU GO TO AUCTIONS YOU CAN GET LS1S IN WRECKED VEHICLES FOR ABOUT $2-3K. YOU CAN GET A LT1 IN A DECENT CAR FOR ABOUT $300-1200 (THEN SELL OFF WHAT YOU DON'T USE), A STROKER KIT IS ABOUT $1200-$2200, EXHAUST SHOULD BE DONE WITH THE SWAP ANYWAY, HEADWORK IS PRETTY CHEAP ON DOMESTIC MOTORS, AND CAMS ARE A DIME A DOZEN.

[Guest iskone]

There aren't any $300 lt1's anywhere near me.

Unless I can find a sweet deal on an lt1 or other small block i'll spend the cash and go with a ls1.

[Guest JAMIE T]

I've got a 400hp LT1. It made 340rwhp. Given drive-train loss, that is 400 crank HP. It comes at the expence of LT4 HOT cam kit, ported and polished heads, 1-3/4" prim. headers, other bolt-ons. That was when I still had the stock ECU, no tuning. My new ECU is tuned for my app. and made a huge improvement. Also, that was with stock cat-back(engine is still in my Z28) and a slipping clutch. I've since replaced the clutch with a SPEC unit and alum. flywheel.

 

I'm sticking with my LT1 cause I got it. Otherwise, I MIGHT consider an LS1.