Looking for pros and cons........
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
From: Location Location
Looking for pros and cons........
...Anyone breathing is more than welcome to chime in. Long story short, I recently purchased a 1994 Corvette coupe. I have since managed to blow up the LT1 in said coupe. Really I'm just getting the early signs of a lower end knock under acceleration, with accompanying loss in idle oil pressure. The oil pressure does climb with RPM, but it's slow, and fluctuates badly.
Pricing out rotating assemblies and other parts to have a motor built has my head spinning. My budget for this car is pretty tight. With me not being a mechanic, labor cost is going to seriously limit my options.
I can get a full LT4 engine from GM parts direct for about $3120. My question is what negatives can I expect to run into? By which I mean instrument cluster dissimilarities, clutch/fly options/issues (lightweight fly possible? still require match balancing??), engine weight, pretty much the entire gamut. I know I can't expect any single person to have any one single best answer. So, seriously, anyone with any info/opinion to toss at me, feel more than welcome. I will listen to all reasonable advice.
Looking forward to hearing from the always-helpful-members of this forum. Thanks in advance.
-DarkMatter
Pricing out rotating assemblies and other parts to have a motor built has my head spinning. My budget for this car is pretty tight. With me not being a mechanic, labor cost is going to seriously limit my options.
I can get a full LT4 engine from GM parts direct for about $3120. My question is what negatives can I expect to run into? By which I mean instrument cluster dissimilarities, clutch/fly options/issues (lightweight fly possible? still require match balancing??), engine weight, pretty much the entire gamut. I know I can't expect any single person to have any one single best answer. So, seriously, anyone with any info/opinion to toss at me, feel more than welcome. I will listen to all reasonable advice.
Looking forward to hearing from the always-helpful-members of this forum. Thanks in advance.
-DarkMatter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
The LT4 is a plug and play fit.
You can get the tach replaced with either a ZR1 or LT4 tach, used of course.
If you run the LT4 on the LT1 PCM, you will have to program EGR out. LT4s don't use EGR.
If you are staying manual, I would stay DM.
That is a great price... does it include intake? If so, great. You will have to reuse your fuel delivery components.
You can get the tach replaced with either a ZR1 or LT4 tach, used of course.
If you run the LT4 on the LT1 PCM, you will have to program EGR out. LT4s don't use EGR.
If you are staying manual, I would stay DM.
That is a great price... does it include intake? If so, great. You will have to reuse your fuel delivery components.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
From: Location Location
I've decided to go another route. A fairly reputable engine shop near me can do a stroker motor for a very reasonable price. The only things I want to provide are a crank, timing set, and cam kit.
I'd like any suggestions from the more experienced builders/gurus (and just about anyone willing to help really
) about cam selection. Will the Hot Cam kit still work with a bored & stroked motor, or will I be starving the motor?? Maybe a Comp cam kit instead?
Also, since I'm going with an internally balanced setup, flywheel recommendations? The car will be a driver, and not a purpose-built ET car.
Thanks in advance.
-DarkMatter
I'd like any suggestions from the more experienced builders/gurus (and just about anyone willing to help really
) about cam selection. Will the Hot Cam kit still work with a bored & stroked motor, or will I be starving the motor?? Maybe a Comp cam kit instead? Also, since I'm going with an internally balanced setup, flywheel recommendations? The car will be a driver, and not a purpose-built ET car.
Thanks in advance.
-DarkMatter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 721
Likes: 10
From: Irvine CA
I hope you didn't break it on the William Floyd Pkwy.
Just be careful, the NY smog laws are similar to what we have out here. Make sure your engine builder can build it and disguise it so it will pass smog.
Disguising it will not be too hard, but watch that cam.
Just be careful, the NY smog laws are similar to what we have out here. Make sure your engine builder can build it and disguise it so it will pass smog.
Disguising it will not be too hard, but watch that cam.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
From: Location Location
LMMFAO.....actually I DID break it on the William Floyd, Yellow. Are you from here originally? Have family or friends? Or just well acquainted with mapquest 
I figured since she's gonna have to come apart in any case, might as well make her better.
Well, that's another concern of mine. I am curious as to which cams are and will be good for the street. I may occasionally track the car, or run some autocross with her, but she's still gonna be my baby. I'm trying to get "reliable performance"...if you know what I mean.
Thanks for checking in..
Still interested in suggestions/advice
-DarkMatter
I figured since she's gonna have to come apart in any case, might as well make her better.
Well, that's another concern of mine. I am curious as to which cams are and will be good for the street. I may occasionally track the car, or run some autocross with her, but she's still gonna be my baby. I'm trying to get "reliable performance"...if you know what I mean.
Thanks for checking in..
Still interested in suggestions/advice
-DarkMatter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 721
Likes: 10
From: Irvine CA
No engine guru here.
I spent 13 years down by the water after I got married. Still got some family there. Packed up the wife and kids and went to California. We liked Shirley, but don't miss it.
I figured it was either William floyd or Sunrise Highway. Two go fast roads.
I spent 13 years down by the water after I got married. Still got some family there. Packed up the wife and kids and went to California. We liked Shirley, but don't miss it.
I figured it was either William floyd or Sunrise Highway. Two go fast roads.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer