LT1 questions
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 81
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
Ok so i know this question has been asked a million times but i always find the same answer.... Buy the $1000+ AFR heads. I don't have that kind of money to spend on heads right now. I'm doing a LT1/ 6 speed/ resto on my 84 and money is going into everything. So my account stays low. So i also have a gen 1 sbc 357 with vortec heads and it makes a little over 400 fwhp. I want my LT1 to make some more hp. I was looking at running a cc503 /longtube headers and not sure what i want to do with the heads. I don't have a lot of money to spend. I currently have the stock iron castings.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 81
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
I also have a mildly ported intake manifold. How much hp can i make with that type of setup with stock heads? Are LT4 heads more worthwhile? AGAIN i cannot afford AFR heads... Mildly ported LT1 intake/stock iron castings/cc503 cam and matching valvetrain/1.5rr's/gasket match porting/longtube headers and 3" exhaust/52mm throttle body (is it worth the money to buy a 58mm?, my intake is opened up to take one) and a custom tune probably from PCM for less. What kind of numbers would i be looking at?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 81
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
Also another quick question, i want to replace the rod bolts on the stock connecting rods. Will the bolts just come out or do they need to be pressed out? I don't want to disassemble the rotating assembly to change them. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
Likes: 85
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Also, with the iron heads you have a Caprice/Impala engine. Just make sure it is a 5.7l, they also made a smaller version.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 81
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
I know its not the 4.3L V8. I have one of those in the 96' Caprice i drive in the winter. lol waht kind of hp would i be making with those mods? I don't have the money to buy new AFR heads... I might be able to get some mild porting done on an aluminum set...
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 81
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
WOW! You're asking a lot of questions on a lot of different areas.
You are aware of what you're getting into, right? Wiring harness, computer, ignition, etc., etc.
Since there are so many variables involved in a swap of this kind, it would be best to find someone who has actually done it. Someone who can fill you in on all the specifics involved. As I see it, jumping from wheels to rod bolts to iron heads is probably why you aren't getting more responses. It's not that we don't want to help, but there are so many specifics and details involved in a swap of this kind, most of us haven't walked that road.
So what I'd do is use the Search feature on this and several other Forums and try to find someone who has made the same swap. That way you'll have a source that can fill you in on EXACTLY what needs to be done. You're making a generational change and some things don't transfer over from one generation to another.
Maybe someone can post a link to a site that has some, if not all, of the information you need.
Sorry I can't help more.
Jake
You are aware of what you're getting into, right? Wiring harness, computer, ignition, etc., etc.
Since there are so many variables involved in a swap of this kind, it would be best to find someone who has actually done it. Someone who can fill you in on all the specifics involved. As I see it, jumping from wheels to rod bolts to iron heads is probably why you aren't getting more responses. It's not that we don't want to help, but there are so many specifics and details involved in a swap of this kind, most of us haven't walked that road.
So what I'd do is use the Search feature on this and several other Forums and try to find someone who has made the same swap. That way you'll have a source that can fill you in on EXACTLY what needs to be done. You're making a generational change and some things don't transfer over from one generation to another.
Maybe someone can post a link to a site that has some, if not all, of the information you need.
Sorry I can't help more.
Jake
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 81
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
I generally know how to do this swap its not to bad. I have changed motors in the past but i'm looking for input from you guys. Well i'm just looking for what kind of numbers i can make based on my mods... i didn't really ask that many questions... sorry if it seems like i did.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
That cam, mild porting (bowls) wont get you anywhere near 450chp.
Probably in the upper 3xx maybe 4. You really need to do more headwork and port the intake.
pm sent
Most shops if they will even touch iron heads will want more to do them than aluminum. Very time consuming and messy.
Probably in the upper 3xx maybe 4. You really need to do more headwork and port the intake.
pm sent
Most shops if they will even touch iron heads will want more to do them than aluminum. Very time consuming and messy.
Last edited by cv67; Mar 6, 2010 at 10:12 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
See what I mean yet?
You're not getting the responses you're looking for because your questions are all over the map. It's not the number of questions you're asking but how they're dealing with so many different areas. Then you post multiple posts in a row; bang, bang bang!
Swapping a LT1 into a 84 involves a lot more than just bolting the engine in place. Even though you think it's "not to (sic) bad", there are a LOT of changes that have to be be made.
That's why I asked if you know, REALLY KNOW, what you're getting in to.
Did you do the research, as I suggested, to find someone who has done this swap? If not, list the things that you think will need to be changed or modified in order for such a swap to work.
Lets approach this in a logical, orderly way and not jump around from one topic to another. Just prepare a listing of what you think's involved and post it here. From that we should be able to tell if you're getting in over your head. Based on what I've read so far, it seems like you are.
Remember what "Dirty Harry" said: "Man's got to know his limitations".
Jake
You're not getting the responses you're looking for because your questions are all over the map. It's not the number of questions you're asking but how they're dealing with so many different areas. Then you post multiple posts in a row; bang, bang bang!
Swapping a LT1 into a 84 involves a lot more than just bolting the engine in place. Even though you think it's "not to (sic) bad", there are a LOT of changes that have to be be made.
That's why I asked if you know, REALLY KNOW, what you're getting in to.
Did you do the research, as I suggested, to find someone who has done this swap? If not, list the things that you think will need to be changed or modified in order for such a swap to work.
Lets approach this in a logical, orderly way and not jump around from one topic to another. Just prepare a listing of what you think's involved and post it here. From that we should be able to tell if you're getting in over your head. Based on what I've read so far, it seems like you are.
Remember what "Dirty Harry" said: "Man's got to know his limitations".
Jake
Last edited by JAKE; Mar 10, 2010 at 08:50 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
If youre dead set on the conversion have at it lots more to it than just swapping engines.
If it were me Id sell the LTx stuff and build up a Gen1 sbsc, much less hassle and $. You can always use a miniram or a converted LT1 intake on the Gen1 motor.
If it were me Id sell the LTx stuff and build up a Gen1 sbsc, much less hassle and $. You can always use a miniram or a converted LT1 intake on the Gen1 motor.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 81
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
Ok here's the deal, nobody here seems to help like other ppl on other sites. I ask maybe 3 questions at a time, and that's too much?? I answer like 20 on other sites for other ppl. Not trying to be a "debbie downer" but it seems like the help isn't here. I know ppl on here have done the swap, and its really not that bad. I know Exactly what i'm doing. I'm just having a hard time with little things like the radiator. The engine mess i already got sorted out. I know whats going on with the transmission as well. Again nobody who reads this post take this the wrong way but you have to see it in my eyes. I'm not hardly getting any answers.... And THANK YOU to those who have helped so far!