has anybody seen or done this swap?? this involves putting a LT-1 intake on the L-98 motor... would this help to extend the power range of the L-98 similar to installing the SuperRam or Mini-Ram?? how well does a ported LT-1 intake flow compared to a SuperRam/Mini-ram setup??
There's a guy that is selling this swap for $400... pretty cost efficient alternative if it would stop choking my L-98 at 4800...

 

The LT1 intake should turn close #s to a mini ram. The short runners on the intake will broaden the power band increasing peak hp, but reducing peak torque. The motor should breath find up to 6000 rpm with the cam most likely becoming the limiting factor. http://www.lt1intake.com/ does the conversions.

 

my future plans call for the lt1 intake.

as 93polo said , the l98 cam with it's low lift will be a limiting factor.

you will also want to replace the valve springs.

now, you save almost a grand choosing a $400 lt1 intake over the Super/Mini Ram manifolds. i originally was thinking an LT4 hot cam kti for ~$500 would work ok. the kit comes with valve springs and roller rockers and such.

your next limiting factor, over a factory LT1 is the heads. lt1 castings flow better than l98's, so a port and polish, multi-angle valve job should bring you up to lt1 w/hot cam hp and tq. my guess would be ~350hp at the wheels, max, depending on the flow of the heads. there are many lt1's on the forum with dyno numbers on their hot cam installs. ~330rwhp with stock heads and full exhaust with long tube headers.

you would need to reprogram the computer, and this is where my research is still in progress. i've seen hot cams peak hp at over 6k rpm. i've also heard that the 730 speed density ecm only has tables covering to 6200rpm. what happens when i want to shift at 6300? 6400? :crazy:

it is a great cost effective intake. there are many on the forum with large strokers and big cams, making huge hp with the factory intake. it does not have room for the egr valve, so if you live in CA, i guess you're out of luck.

 

Not sure, off hand, whether or not you need to do anything regarding the cooling system. Doesn't the L98 intake still have coolant passages in the front of the intake from the heads while the LT-1 intake does not?? As I said, not sure if this makes a difference or not. :confused:

 

I have seen this done. Well on somebody's web site. He drilled and tapped the intake right where the front coolant passages are in the heads. He then used 1/2" or 3/4" pipe "fittings" and screwed them in. Next, he ran Heater hose to a remote thermostat housing. It seemed to work pretty well.

 

Don't forget to make a distributor hole. LT1=optispark.

 

What kind of head/cam would work well with that LT1 intake?? Could you just get a port/polish done on the stock heads, or would it be best to get AFR's or something?

 

this is just my opinion...

you need to match the cam to the head flow.

if you went with aftermarket heads, say the afr's, then you would have the same set up as an LT1 with afr's. There are many LT1's with afr's on this board, using anywhere from HotCams to radical solid rollers.

if you port and polish the stock heads, you should have them flowed, then you can compare the flow numbers to afr's, or better, call some cam manufactures and tell them the flow numbers. they should be able to help you pick a cam that will work with the flow numbers and satisfy your power and range (rpm) goals.

 

I will let you know in a couple of weeks. Still waiting on John to get mine finished.

I've already bought everything, all the way down to the LT4 fuel rail covers and valve covers.

I went with the MSD Pro Billet small HEI, and everything else came from the General using either Camaro or Corvette Parts. It should look factory, well, aside from the distributor sticking out the back...

:seeya

 

SpedRacr,

what other mods are you doing with the intake swap?

 

I already have a cam that is being choked by the t.p.i. I ported the stock intake to match ASM runners, but my heads are completely stock except for the springs and roller rockers. I am running stock LT1 exhaust manifolds hooked up to stock LT1 exhaust with no cats. IM me if you want to talk some more.
:seeya

 

Pretty sure it will use the same values that it did right before it went off the charts-like if spark advance was 22 degrees at 6200, then it will be 22 deg at 6500.


[Modified by HighHopes85, 1:52 PM 5/21/2002]

 

you need a small distributor, camaro style, this is the perfect time to upgrade to a msd 6al and blaster 2 coil which can mount on a fenderwell..the HEI won't clear the LT1 once modified if i remember right. double check with the LT1 guy but i'm fairly sure you need the camaro dist & sometype of outboard coil. i thought about doing this mod a LONG time ago before it was very public but just never did. i wound up with some great TPI deals & with a tiny little zz4 cam i knew it would fall about 5800rpm so i wouldn't gain all too much with the shorter runner. top end HP would probably be higher but at the expense of midrange torque. i'd love to back to back a good TPI combo VS a LT1 intake at the track on a mild 350 {like a zz4} & see what type of times click off.

 

forgive my ignorance but when you swap the LT1 intake, does it replace the lower intake as well, or just upper??

 

Will the throttle body of of an L98 work on the LT1 intake or do you need one for a LT1?

 

the LT1 is a single piece and it would replace the plennum, runners and lower intake of the TPI. you can use the stock throttle body, but it sits lower and i think you need to clearance for the TPS.