LT1 capabilties
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From: Ol Dirty Durham NC
LT1 capabilties
LT1 guys please chime in here
I bought my 86 L98 with the intentions of doing a full restore including a fully rebuilt Gen1 with an SC...
After really finding out how much time/money that will cost I am considering rethinking my strategy. I still want to do a full restore but try not to dump 10K into a motor that probably won't have very good street manners. So I was looking at the LT1 motor and was wondering if someone can help with the following questions.
I have a family friend who can do all the machine/rebuild work so I was going to try to find a used LT1 motor/ w tranny for hopefully a decent price and rebuild from the ground up. I want to get around 400RWHP w/o a power adder.
-Asuming strong enough internals are put in can an LT1 acheive that power level?
-Is there any good links for LT1 builds and parts?
-Where could I locate a used LT1 besides Ebay Motors?
-What else besides engine, tranny, and ECU is required to do a swap?
-Does anyone have dyno results of an LT1 build?
-If that power level is achieveable, can stock internals be used?
Thx for the help as always guys
I bought my 86 L98 with the intentions of doing a full restore including a fully rebuilt Gen1 with an SC...
After really finding out how much time/money that will cost I am considering rethinking my strategy. I still want to do a full restore but try not to dump 10K into a motor that probably won't have very good street manners. So I was looking at the LT1 motor and was wondering if someone can help with the following questions.
I have a family friend who can do all the machine/rebuild work so I was going to try to find a used LT1 motor/ w tranny for hopefully a decent price and rebuild from the ground up. I want to get around 400RWHP w/o a power adder.
-Asuming strong enough internals are put in can an LT1 acheive that power level?
-Is there any good links for LT1 builds and parts?
-Where could I locate a used LT1 besides Ebay Motors?
-What else besides engine, tranny, and ECU is required to do a swap?
-Does anyone have dyno results of an LT1 build?
-If that power level is achieveable, can stock internals be used?
Thx for the help as always guys
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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Why cant you just throw a MR/LT1 intake on the 86?
Youre going to need headwork to get an LT1 to those numbers, and that might run as much as new heads for the 86.
Youre going to need headwork to get an LT1 to those numbers, and that might run as much as new heads for the 86.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Howard PA
Wow, not to change the subject but wouldn't it be nice if some aftermarket company cast an LT style intake for the L98?
It's really hard to believe some company hasn't stepped up and produced something like that. They'd make a killing. How many threads do we see about installing a modified LT based intake to an L98?
It's really hard to believe some company hasn't stepped up and produced something like that. They'd make a killing. How many threads do we see about installing a modified LT based intake to an L98?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: O'Fallon Missouri
Originally Posted by ALLT4
Wow, not to change the subject but wouldn't it be nice if some aftermarket company cast an LT style intake for the L98?
It's really hard to believe some company hasn't stepped up and produced something like that. They'd make a killing. How many threads do we see about installing a modified LT based intake to an L98?
It's really hard to believe some company hasn't stepped up and produced something like that. They'd make a killing. How many threads do we see about installing a modified LT based intake to an L98?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,153
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by ALLT4
Wow, not to change the subject but wouldn't it be nice if some aftermarket company cast an LT style intake for the L98?
It's really hard to believe some company hasn't stepped up and produced something like that. They'd make a killing. How many threads do we see about installing a modified LT based intake to an L98?
It's really hard to believe some company hasn't stepped up and produced something like that. They'd make a killing. How many threads do we see about installing a modified LT based intake to an L98?
And LT1intake.com sells a modified LT1 base.
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From: Ol Dirty Durham NC
Originally Posted by vader86
Why cant you just throw a MR/LT1 intake on the 86?
Youre going to need headwork to get an LT1 to those numbers, and that might run as much as new heads for the 86.
Youre going to need headwork to get an LT1 to those numbers, and that might run as much as new heads for the 86.
I actually started that process, I have an LT1 intake and fuel rails sitting in the garage. I am just trying to decide if it is worth going through having to deal with modifying it and all the other mods to get it to work.
Ok say I stay with the Gen 1 setup and rebuild it with the LT1 intake, what kind of crank, rods, and pistons would be good for that hp level? I think I could get away without using forged? I am trying to stay a low cost as I can (without sacrificing quality.) I am not looking to drag but maybe 1 weekend out of the year just to get a baseline ET. I am looking more for a sleeper street motor. Heads I am leaning towards are the reconditioned 165's from Aerohead racing. Decent flow characteristics and a reasonable price ($695/pr assembled)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Howard PA
Originally Posted by C4CBF
I want to get around 400RWHP w/o a power adder.
Originally Posted by honda hunter
These days 400hp can be reached with stock casting heads easy. The right combo can get you deeper into the 400's.
We need some LT1 guys to chime in that are making 400RWHP, is it possible with stock heads?
That TPIS manifold looks bitchin'........why haven't I noticed that before? That looks looks like the way to go unless the price and everything else you need would be cost prohibitive.
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From: Manama Bahrain
Originally Posted by ALLT4
I doubt the stock heads can get you 400RWHP, maybe 400CHP. With some good porting I think it could be done.
We need some LT1 guys to chime in that are making 400RWHP, is it possible with stock heads?
That TPIS manifold looks bitchin'........why haven't I noticed that before? That looks looks like the way to go unless the price and everything else you need would be cost prohibitive.
We need some LT1 guys to chime in that are making 400RWHP, is it possible with stock heads?
That TPIS manifold looks bitchin'........why haven't I noticed that before? That looks looks like the way to go unless the price and everything else you need would be cost prohibitive.
Team Owner
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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Originally Posted by C4CBF
Ok say I stay with the Gen 1 setup and rebuild it with the LT1 intake, what kind of crank, rods, and pistons would be good for that hp level? I think I could get away without using forged? I am trying to stay a low cost as I can (without sacrificing quality.) I am not looking to drag but maybe 1 weekend out of the year just to get a baseline ET. I am looking more for a sleeper street motor. Heads I am leaning towards are the reconditioned 165's from Aerohead racing. Decent flow characteristics and a reasonable price ($695/pr assembled)
Those 165cc heads are basically going to be equivalent to a stock '113/LT1 head depending on the valve size you pick, and thats not going to end up equivalent to any super build.
All you have to do is look at what LT1 guys get from just a cam change, and you'll see what power numbers your engine would be capable of with those 165's and a LT1/MR intake thrown on the motor.
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From: Ol Dirty Durham NC
Originally Posted by vader86
Same ones you'd need to put an LT1 to that level. Internal parts for these 2 motors are interchangeable. If youre talking about 400chp, then hyper pistons, forged rods, and a cast crank. Depending on the CR you end up with you could go with cast pistons. If you want it to hold to 7000rpm+ or 400rwhp, then forged everything would be better. It wouldnt be any different than building an LT1 to that level.
Those 165cc heads are basically going to be equivalent to a stock '113/LT1 head depending on the valve size you pick, and thats not going to end up equivalent to any super build.
All you have to do is look at what LT1 guys get from just a cam change, and you'll see what power numbers your engine would be capable of with those 165's and a LT1/MR intake thrown on the motor.
Those 165cc heads are basically going to be equivalent to a stock '113/LT1 head depending on the valve size you pick, and thats not going to end up equivalent to any super build.
All you have to do is look at what LT1 guys get from just a cam change, and you'll see what power numbers your engine would be capable of with those 165's and a LT1/MR intake thrown on the motor.
Team Owner
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From: Athens AL
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From: Ol Dirty Durham NC
Originally Posted by vader86
Safety Car
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From: Maryland
Originally Posted by C4CBF
do you have the stock heads? Any work done to them? Thx
His heads are ported and polished, which costs around $1500 min. including valves and valve springs, etc.
There will be some adaptation work to put the LT1 in an older vette. If I was you, I think I would do something to the L98 that costs less than 10k, like the miniram, as noted. Or seriously, if you haven't done anything yet to your '86, consider finding a '92 with the LT1 already installed and working on that.
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From: Rockford IL
I'm currently in the process of a LT1 into a 84 Crossfire. Going to start with a stock LT1 w/ LT's and MSD6AL. Before doing anything with the motor- I'd like to work out all the bugs.....(hopefully, there wont be any) Then I am looking for a ballpark of the same things... The cars weight under 3000 lbs. 400 RWHP and using a ZF6SPD... But for bugworking I'll be using a 700R4. Next winter will be the Trans swap. There is a lot of stuff to do...But I'm allso really into motorcycles, I have not touched the project car since march. I was simply looking for the CHEAPEST, sub-3000lb, 400RWHP, and 6-speeds of FUN. And get it all done for under $7500. Which I think can be done.