Lt1 Swap

[Shah]

Why don't too many people do lt1 swaps? I mainly hear about ls1's. Are they not good engines? Im asking because im interested in one.

[96mikez28]

The LS-1 is a great motor, but contrary to what many LT1 haters say on here the LT1 ain't so bad

[97rs4life]

lt1 is not a bad motor, great for low end grunt. Most people turn away from them because of accessability to ls1's and they don't wanna mess with the optispark system, along with tuning abilities with the ls1 and things like hptuners, efiLive, ls1edit, etc

[JoeliusZ28]

LT1s have an inferior ignition system and inferior heads which will come into play when you want to make more than 400hp.

however the ammount more you will probably spend on an LS1, you could get headwork done on the LT1 and replace the opti with a delteq or equivalent.

LT1s aint bad at all, mine is definitely no slouch for being untouched with 90k on it. If it were me id swap in the V8 correct for the year of car, and honestly i will admit the LS1 is the better platform to work with. I just happen to be in love with my trusty LT1

[MattODoom]

I think id rather have a gen I SBC with an LT1 intake over an LT1 with the optispark and the cam driven water pump.

Interestingly enough, you can drill the LT1 intake for a dizzy and just use one of those instead of the optispark - probably have to swap to an aftermarket ECU like megasquirt or a 730 TPI ecm though.

[JoeliusZ28]

I think id rather have a gen I SBC with an LT1 intake over an LT1 with the optispark and the cam driven water pump.

Interestingly enough, you can drill the LT1 intake for a dizzy and just use one of those instead of the optispark - probably have to swap to an aftermarket ECU like megasquirt or a 730 TPI ecm though.

how are SBC waterpumps setup? Im planning on switching mine to electric.

[96mikez28]

It does suck that factory Wp's are cam driven, but putting an electric one on ain't that hard...

[MattODoom]

how are SBC waterpumps setup? Im planning on switching mine to electric.

Belt driven.



Electric is a good way to go, so thats an easy fix for you LT1 guys.

[Orange Terror]

Old School SBC FTW!!!! My next project will have a Gen I motor in it. Personally, I'm with Matt (hard to believe, lol) If it were me I'd get a Gen I small block and get some good aftermarket heads with it. Then you can go with a belt driven or electric water pump. And the ignition will be tons more reliable with a distributor setup and there are tons of things you can do with that. It also should bolt in just like an LT1.

[ITSSLOW]

Depends on your situation. Everything has its pros and cons. Since you have the 98+ platform I'd either go LS1 or SBC.

[ezysk]

I am not particular myself, I look at an engine as a block with holes in it so 4 things really matter to me, assuming it is at least a V8.
1. How big is the stock Bore?
2. What can it be safely bored out to?
3. Is it Aluminum or Iron?
4. Is it 4 bolt or 2 bolt mains?
In the end though, until I get into monster horsepower, I build what I can get my hands on, and go from there.

[Orange Terror]

Depends on your situation. Everything has its pros and cons. Since you have the 98+ platform I'd either go LS1 or SBC.

Really comes down to $$$ and time. Ask WMCCJames how much time and money he has into his LS1 swap. Probably cost you at least $6k to do an LS1 swap. You could easily do a carbed Gen I swap for half that. So its really about $$.

[ITSSLOW]

Really comes down to $$$ and time. Ask WMCCJames how much time and money he has into his LS1 swap. Probably cost you at least $6k to do an LS1 swap. You could easily do a carbed Gen I swap for half that. So its really about $$.

It won't cost 6 large! My bosses father in law got an LS1 hooked to a 4L60E trans with all the harness and PCM for $1200 off ebay. Only 28,000 miles too. Hell you could sell the 4L60E for most of that.

[MattODoom]

It won't cost 6 large! My bosses father in law got an LS1 hooked to a 4L60E trans with all the harness and PCM for $1200 off ebay. Only 28,000 miles too. Hell you could sell the 4L60E for most of that.

Well james has a brand new engine, with a brand new 6speed with brand new stainless custom headers.. with a brand new custom harness...

you get the idea!

[ITSSLOW]

Well james has a brand new engine, with a brand new 6speed with brand new stainless custom headers.. with a brand new custom harness...

you get the idea!

I know what you were saying but don't scare the kid away with a price like that.