C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

LT1 questions

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Old Jul 9, 2007 | 06:13 PM
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Default LT1 questions

im wondering whats the biggest LT1 you can make. For example, could you put the LT1 intake and matching cylinder heads (not necessarily the stock ones) on a 400 block? With the LT1 are you only limited to only 350 blocks? Im not an expert when it comes to matching engines, intakes, and heads so thanks
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Old Jul 9, 2007 | 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by RWD_tech
im wondering whats the biggest LT1 you can make. For example, could you put the LT1 intake and matching cylinder heads (not necessarily the stock ones) on a 400 block? With the LT1 are you only limited to only 350 blocks? Im not an expert when it comes to matching engines, intakes, and heads so thanks


I wonder if you could use an aftermarket aluminum block ? You can get those up to 454 cubes. This is an interesting question you posted.
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Old Jul 9, 2007 | 07:03 PM
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From all I've read, there is no aftermarket LT1 block. The LT1 block is different because of reverse cooling, so best you can probably do is +.060 overbore stock block.

You may, let me emphasize MAY, be able to stuff a 4" stroke crank in one, but that would call for special (short skirt) pistons and lots of clearancing.

If I remember correctly, TPIS claims to have stuffed a crank with a stroke longer than 4" in a LT1 block, but I wouldn't trust it as far as I could throw it.

So, if you do the math - bore2 x stroke x .7854 x 8 you can come up with the cubes. Guys are complaining all the time that no one in the industry has stepped up with an aftermarket block that can take more bore.

If anyone knows anything different, I'm here to learn.

Jake
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Old Jul 9, 2007 | 07:30 PM
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Seen a few 409's. One guy named Phil owned a shop called CXI here in Houston supposedly had a 421. It was in a few magazines. Motor had a valve train failure at low speed and still wiped out the motor. He "claimed" he had 1000 hp with the nitrous. I don't think that was ever varafied.
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Old Jul 9, 2007 | 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by BAM92
Seen a few 409's. One guy named Phil owned a shop called CXI here in Houston supposedly had a 421. It was in a few magazines. Motor had a valve train failure at low speed and still wiped out the motor. He "claimed" he had 1000 hp with the nitrous. I don't think that was ever varafied.
dont you have to start with a 400 block to get a 409? whats the biggest u can safely bore & stroke a 350 block?

i thought the LT1 blocks were the same, i didnt think they had to change anything by going with reverse coolant

Last edited by RWD_tech; Jul 9, 2007 at 07:38 PM.
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Old Jul 9, 2007 | 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by RWD_tech
im wondering whats the biggest LT1 you can make. For example, could you put the LT1 intake and matching cylinder heads (not necessarily the stock ones) on a 400 block? With the LT1 are you only limited to only 350 blocks? Im not an expert when it comes to matching engines, intakes, and heads so thanks
I was wondering the same thing.
I wonder if a LT1 can be stroked to a 383 like the L98?
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Old Jul 9, 2007 | 09:09 PM
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yeah you can stroke an LT1 to a 383, all you need is a rotating kit and it does need to be bored slightly
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Old Jul 9, 2007 | 11:56 PM
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Originally Posted by RWD_tech
yeah you can stroke an LT1 to a 383, all you need is a rotating kit and it does need to be bored slightly
Oh ok
thought you could like any 350 V8 ,just wasnt sure if they made a stroker kit for the LT1

Thanks for info
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Old Jul 10, 2007 | 02:03 AM
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LT1's have been done to 409's, but 401 and 396 are more common for biggest ones. Now, if you can all find the one, the ONLY one, BowTie LT1 aluminum block that some dude has, that I believe has the 4.125 inch bores? Intersting.
Anyways, if building one and you arent really sure what to do, I would do a 383. Its simple, relatively cheap and very rewarding in the ol seat of the pants.
But putting LT1 heads on a 400 block isnt feasible when there are many aftermarket heads and manifolds available for that 400 block.
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Old Jul 10, 2007 | 12:12 PM
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so you can bore and stroke a 350 to a 396 or 409??? wow i didnt think you could go that big. thats why i was thinking about getting a 400 block and fitting the LT1 stuff on it. i now see that isnt possible. im trying to build a 400-450 WHP car...without boost.
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Old Jul 10, 2007 | 01:21 PM
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396 seems pretty common. I have an article from years ago with a Lingenfelter 415 on an LT1 block.
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Old Jul 10, 2007 | 07:04 PM
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can you fit an LT1 intake to a 400 block if you get the correct heads? there is a guy on here with a 1973 406ci and an LT1 intake on it. this is basically what im wondering. i dont have to use the original LT1 block or heads
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Old Jul 10, 2007 | 08:04 PM
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You would have to do the 'conversion' that some folks do in order to fit the LT1 intake onto the L98 engine, and it would work on SBC heads with a similar bolt pattern. I've read the reverse flow heads could be modified to fit the regular SBC, but it would be easier and more cost effective to start with gen I SBC heads.

Another option would be to buy a miniram.

Last edited by LTxDave; Jul 10, 2007 at 08:07 PM.
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Old Jul 10, 2007 | 08:16 PM
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well maybe i should look for a TPI C4...

i was thinking to get an LT1 car to make things easier for me, turns out that may not be true
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Old Jul 11, 2007 | 07:25 PM
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You can get an easy 400+ hp out of an LT1 with heads and cam. Stroker will get you to 450 with out being to radical and give you a good torque increase. I have an extra LT1 from when I put the blower/stroker in my vette. I plan on stroking it to 396. It will be N/A. I am looking for a flat hp/torque curve and probably 425hp to 450 max to put in my Trans Am.
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