So ive been thinking about an engine swap?

[blacklt1firebird]

I've been toying with the idea of an engine swap, im not lookin for a crazy drag car but would like somethin along the lines of 350-400 RWHP, i have an lt1 but i feel like it'd take quite a bit of work, so if anyone has an insight itd be appreciated, ive thought about finding an ls1 to build while still driving the car, a 5.3 swap, or next winter pullin the lt1 and rebuilding it. As far as which would b the cheaper and easier route to go please let me know! Id like to keep it N/A and without a bottle too. I'd like to keep my stock trans (t-56) and rear end also, rear end was just rebuilt with 3.73 gear. Would an ls/5.3 bolt to the lt1 t-56?

[Fox Slaughter]

Um a AI valvetrain will put you over 350whp in a M6 and with their heads you would be looking over 430whp. You can have a valvetrain, heads intake manifold ported by them for under 4000.

No the LS1 uses a different bell housing also has push (if I recall) and the LT1 has a pull style clutch or its the other way around.

Budget 350/355 (350 bored .030 over)

http://www.rpmmachine.com/eagle-stre...mance350.shtml

[meissen]

No such thing as budget engine swaps. If you're only looking for 350-400rwhp, I'd just do a heads and cam kit.

[BP_Z28]

No such thing as budget engine swaps. If you're only looking for 350-400rwhp, I'd just do a heads and cam kit.

This. Learn it, live it, love it

[birdie2000]

No such thing as budget engine swaps. If you're only looking for 350-400rwhp, I'd just do a heads and cam kit.

Agreed.

I was looking into doing this exact swap with almost the same power goals (mine were ~390-400rwhp with a tame idle and RV-like torque) and while you might be able to build a decent budget engine, all the other parts and such will nickle and dime you to death. In the end, as much as I hate to keep dumping money into an LT1, it still makes sense at this point for my goals and budget.

Hell, you can get 350rwhp in an M6 LT1 car pretty easily with just a cam swap, and even then the cam wouldn't be all that big.

[sman]

As much as I love the LS engines, youve already got 8 cly to work with. Id use 'em! Going to be WAY more work to stuff an LS in there than it would be to build the lt1. Heads and cam should make you happy.

[blacklt1firebird]

Alright thanks guys. I drove it all last summer n now this summer it just doesnt seem as fast/fun haha. Any suggestions on cam/heads? Should i just port stock heads or upgrade them? its got 99k on the clock, would it b worth a full teardown n rebuild or just do top end for now n wait til the bottom end goes? Id like a lopey cam too, its not a daily driver other than nice days so it wouldnt bother me much. But would still like to have the reliabilty factor

[Fox Slaughter]

Alright thanks guys. I drove it all last summer n now this summer it just doesnt seem as fast/fun haha. Any suggestions on cam/heads? Should i just port stock heads or upgrade them? its got 99k on the clock, would it b worth a full teardown n rebuild or just do top end for now n wait til the bottom end goes? Id like a lopey cam too, its not a daily driver other than nice days so it wouldnt bother me much. But would still like to have the reliabilty factor

Www.advancedinduction.com

[nascarnate326]

Ive considered a 5.3 LS swap many times, in the end it just doesnt make sense if you already have a LT1.

Throw a cam in it, set a safe rev limiter, have fun.

[meissen]

What I would do - if you're willing to spend the money for a swap - I'd get a heads and cam package from advancedinductions and then also pick up the LS1 pcm conversion kit so you can get rid of the optispark. Then you'd have reliability and power.

[TrickyTransAm]

Why not do the LT4 conversion kit from Summit. Manifold, heads, cam all in a package directly from GM ready to go. 425hp factory designed.

[ryanwarby01]

Why not do the LT4 conversion kit from Summit. Manifold, heads, cam all in a package directly from GM ready to go. 425hp factory designed.

The only way that kit will get you 425hp is if you add 100 hp NOS shot with it.

[TrickyTransAm]

The only way that kit will get you 425hp is if you add 100 hp NOS shot with it.

425hp isn't that difficult when you think about it. Good flowing heads, high compression, and a cam can get you there without nitrous. 425 at the wheels is a different story.
Has someone on here or yourself purchased that kit to debunk it?

[ryanwarby01]

425hp isn't that difficult when you think about it. Good flowing heads, high compression, and a cam can get you there without nitrous. 425 at the wheels is a different story.
Has someone on here or yourself purchased that kit to debunk it?

You can definitley get a h/c/i kit good for 425+ hp, it's just not the LT4 kit. I had that kit on my lt1 for a long time and never dynoed anywhere near 425 crank hp. A stock LT4 was good for 330hp and that kit isn't good for another 100hp on top of that.

[Sleeper]

Keep the LT1, HCI, get rid of opti. Done. The engine swap is bound to be a nightmare unless you're a serious pro at mechanical work.