Blown Heads
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,028
From: eastern NC
Dennis, in case it hasn't been mentioned before, welcome to the Corvette Forum.
The LT-1 is a pretty potent and stout engine. You really need to tell us more about it's history. Mileage, how it has been treated and ran up to this point etc?
Do you have a budget in mind and what are your plans for the car?
Good luck... GUSTO
The LT-1 is a pretty potent and stout engine. You really need to tell us more about it's history. Mileage, how it has been treated and ran up to this point etc?
Do you have a budget in mind and what are your plans for the car?
Good luck... GUSTO
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Dennis, in case it hasn't been mentioned before, welcome to the Corvette Forum.
The LT-1 is a pretty potent and stout engine. You really need to tell us more about it's history. Mileage, how it has been treated and ran up to this point etc?
Do you have a budget in mind and what are your plans for the car?
Good luck... GUSTO
The LT-1 is a pretty potent and stout engine. You really need to tell us more about it's history. Mileage, how it has been treated and ran up to this point etc?
Do you have a budget in mind and what are your plans for the car?
Good luck... GUSTO
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,330
Likes: 3,245
From: Hartford WI
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,330
Likes: 3,245
From: Hartford WI
That would be a great idea to get the head work done with the same guy recommending the cam. He might be able to also do intake porting work for a few dollars more, recommend a set of headers and find someone to do a dyno tune to maximize the setup. Why would anyone spend that much money and not dyno tune is beyond me. After all, a "computer friendly" cam might hamstring the rest of the system.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 262
From: Park Ridge New Jersey
That would be a great idea to get the head work done with the same guy recommending the cam. He might be able to also do intake porting work for a few dollars more, recommend a set of headers and find someone to do a dyno tune to maximize the setup. Why would anyone spend that much money and not dyno tune is beyond me. After all, a "computer friendly" cam might hamstring the rest of the system.
I would love to get a dyno tune if there was a good place in the NJ/NY/Ct/E. Pa area....at this point pcm4less or someone Lloyd recommends.
One thing to take into consideration, that I didn't, he recommends a 3200 Torque converter(and not cheap one $700-$800). I have an auto w/ 3.07 gears. Now my trans has 91K miles on it and has 3 leaks (2 external, 1 interior)...I plan on taking out the trans to fix the leaks, install the TC and while its out have the trans rebuilt with a skift kit. Lloyd suggested I go with the LE2 package and I should see 340-350 rwhp and get another 30+ hp with headers (next winter fun).
I'm very excited, but I'm worried about the drive-ability. I'm not going to drag race it, but I like to play in that 0-80mph range and long (100 mile) cruises with my wife.
Anyone with a similar set up? Thoughts?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 262
From: Park Ridge New Jersey
So, are the Yank & Vigilante basically the same or why is one better than the other? And where is a good place to buy one? This build and budget exploded so I'm trying to save as much money as I can, while buying top quality parts.
The drive-ability is still a concern, this is my 1st performance car with an auto....my last was a '99 Firehawk 6 sp
OP: sorry for the hijack of the thread, but this one could be a good one, lots of knowledgeable folks here
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,330
Likes: 3,245
From: Hartford WI
He mentioned Yank or Vigilante. I assume at one point I will blow up the trans (especially with all that new power) and I have to pull it out for the leaks/TC, so why pull it out in the future to rebuild it....plus I think its going to be more than a "rebuild"
So, are the Yank & Vigilante basically the same or why is one better than the other? And where is a good place to buy one? This build and budget exploded so I'm trying to save as much money as I can, while buying top quality parts.
So, are the Yank & Vigilante basically the same or why is one better than the other? And where is a good place to buy one? This build and budget exploded so I'm trying to save as much money as I can, while buying top quality parts.
No. Yank is the brand of torque converter or the **** genre.
Vigilante is a line of Torque Converters by Precision Industries who also makes the Stallion for the Ford 4R100. If you have time, you can shop around for the best deals. While Yank doesn't show a 700R4 or 4L60E unit, I have to believe they have one. The only thing I don't like about the Yank (good reviews though) is that you bought it, you own it. If you don't like the stall, you pay me to restall it. With Precision Industries, you have a free restall so if the TC breaks today and it is within 2 years, they will cut it apart, flush it and weld back together or you can tell them you don't like the current stall and want it 500rpm (for example) higher and they will do it for free.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 349
From: Sacramento California
Interesting conversation but I am still curious of the actual condition of the engine. What does "blown head" mean exactly? Has anything been taken apart? The engine is designed to shut down to avoid excessive damage... how about taking a look?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
The engine and fuel system isn't designed to prevent damage actually. blown head ...gasket. Oil pressure switch is designed to come on below 4 1/2 psi normally internal damage will occur before light comes on especially under load. Low coolant can skew cts readings since air does transfer heat like a liquid. Some model have a check gages light to alert driver something is not right. With head gasket failures there is always the potential for more damage. Severe overheating can cause cracked heads, scuffed pistons and cylinders. You really don't know what you got until its apart.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
OP with a 3k budget, I'd have the heads checked for cracks/flatness and have a valve job done and settle for a mild cam or leave it stock.
Heads, Cam, and supporting mods are going to eat more than 3K if you do it right and the oh buy the ways are budget killers.
Now if you have double what you plan on spending available go for it...(as I said the oh buy the ways are the killer)
Mike
here's my sig
Polybushings front/ banskis, DRM brackets rear
Dana 44 w/ 3.54s
EM LTs, 3" B B stainless exhaust still sitting in Garage
AI 200CC full CNC ported heads with upgrades
AI custom cam .615 lift and more duration than the pundits believe necessary
AI hardened guideplates and AI pushrods
CC PROMAG 1.6 NSA,
ATI super damper
3500 Stall
Mezierre HD
58MM TB
Ported Intake
Racetronix Fuelpump and wiring upgrade
Tuning by ED Wright
Thousands in ETCs and OH BUY The Ways
Last edited by aboatguy; Feb 8, 2017 at 09:34 PM. Reason: to add my sig