Ok, got my valve covers off in order to address some valvetrain issues. Since their off, I may replace them.
The '92-prior centerbolt covers seem to have different oil fill and breather locations as well as different mounting bolts. The 92-priors have the long 'button-head' style bolt that appears to screw directly into the head, while the 93'-up LT1/4's have the short, wide-head torx bolts that screw into studs that are mounted into the heads. However many valvecover manufacturers proclaim that their centerbolt valvecovers (which require the long buttonhead bolts), fit all 86-up heads. How is this done ? I tried removing my bolt mounting studs with no luck. :confused:

Here are a few examples that are out there:

LT1/4 valvecover bolts;


'92-prior valvecover bolts;


92 valve covers;


Proforms black 86-up's (?)


Moroso's 86-up (?)


Here's some from a custom rod shop that have been clearanced for the alternator. (what a PITA that was trying to remove the stockers). These look real good and are less than $100. They claim 86-up fittment. (?)


Here's some Edelbrock Elites. But in one ad, Edelbrock says
:nono: to Lt1's. (?)



Whats the real deal guys ? What fits 93-96 LT1 Vettes ?
:confused:

 

Sorry I can't help you with your problem but I realy like these black proforms. Do you know how much they are and where I could get my hands on some??

Thanks in Advance

 

Jegs. $130.
http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...64&prmenbr=361

 

I take it you solved you're problem? No?

Nice pic's.........

 

i have been trying to get a answer to this question for days proform makes the covers for gm performance i have call gm tech and they will not tell me yes or no if they fit . the guy told me they will not fit a f body.
i said i have a corvette he said i don't know.
mitch :banghead: :banghead:

 

The Proforms fit but you will have to do some grunting and grinding to make them work.

Call Jeff Kopp or Chris at Superior Chevrolet. I bought from them and the bolts you show came with the valve covers.

To cut some slack to GM guys, the Corvettes changed breather hoses and accessory mounts it seems like every year. Even Jeff Kopp had to go take a look at his own 92 to understand what I was talking about when I said my 94 had different breathers and my car would not match up. The LT1 cars have a clearance problem at the base of the alternator bearing boss that would force you to do some grinding. The EGR pipe on the passenger side is a very tight fit with these covers.

I'm sure the parts guys have heard enough gripes about these things not fitting right that they won't give a blanket yes without knowing the car and whether you are willing to work out problems.


[Modified by 94lt1torchred, 5:30 PM 10/3/2003]

 

Update. After examining some aftermarket centerbolt valvecover bolts at the local parts stores, I thought to myself that GM wouldn't actually change the LT1 head simply because the bolt style changed. So it was back to the garage for another attempt at removing the '95's valvecover bolt studs. (barring the use of a monkey wrench and a Ford tool. :D ) When I eyeballed them closer I could see a secondary torx pattern surrounding the female threads for the valvecover bolts on the top center of the studs themselves. Sure enough, with the right bit they came right off. I believe it was the same size as our roof panel one.
SO, with this done, theory says that any non-baffled centerbolt valvecovers should work on these 93-96 LT1's. You would simply use the previous style centerbolts and gasket. Since the majority of aftermarket valvecovers have oil fill and / or breather holes on both covers, you would simply do away with the stock pvc grommet to throttle body crankcase ventilation and use a more traditional open element / push-in style crankcase breather for positive ventilation. Since oil fill can occur on either head, you could interchange the valvecovers from right to left to fit your need, as long as they were 'square' cut. Bearing in mind however, that alternator clearance will be an issue with these latter LT1's. Several manufacturors are advertising stock height, but they have been additionally clearanced for non-stock valvetrain components such as RR's. (Also see the one pictured above that has been notched for alternator clearance).
Let me know if you all have any other theories or experience with this.

BTW, I will be making a post in 'C4 Parts 4-Sale' , selling my Crane Gold 1.6's, pushrods, rocker studs and stock valvecovers.

 

Funny, my 92 covers don't look like the one you have pictured. I have two holes on pass side, and none on the driver side. Too many types!!!! :banghead: :banghead:
I've been looking for something different myself, and haven't found anything I like yet. I'd like to polish the stock ones. A place down the street will do it for $45 a piece. But they don't powder coat there. It's $300 to get it done down the street at another place. Too expensive for me.

 

Here's a shot of my 92. It's mostly OEM, especially the valve covers, note: no logo on them.




Help any? :cheers:


[Modified by Strick, 4:44 PM 10/6/2003]

 

why do they make it so hard to buy valve covers i think they will fit my 1987 l98 but i don't think they will clear the alt on my friends 95 lt1 plus on his car on the pass side there is a tubr that runs around the outside of the cover.
mitch

 

If you look at the OEM valve covers, the front end of the cover is beveled to fit under the alt/ac bracket. This is where most aftermarket valve covers don't work. Some creative guys have modified this bracket (made a new one).

As far as the pass side, the AIR tube can be modified to fit around the covers. In fact, I don't see why it wouldn't fit with any cover.

 

Mitch I put these http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=641608 on my 85 with a thick valve cover hgasket and I did not trim anyhting.

 

FOUND SOME !!! :hurray:

The Moroso's pictured above do come in a specific model for the '93-'96 LT1 Vettes ! AND, at $139 they are $100 cheaper than the ones from MAD.
Summit caries them as part# 68038, and Jegs said that they could special order them. The only picture either had was of 68034 pictured above (pre-'93). I'm sure they look the same.

However, I still believe that any pre'93 centerbolt valvecovers will fit, IF, you switch to the older style bolt. The older covers would also allow for more crankcase ventilation, since they usually have an oil fill and breather on one side, and another breather on the other side. I may still go this route due to some seapage / over pressure at high rpm.

Time to sell my stockers.

:party:

 

i just installed the proforms on my 1987 fit is good the only problem is on the pass side i need to run a line from the cover to the throtle body. i think i am going to gut a pcv valve put it into the grommet and run the 3/8 line that was there already. what do you guys think ps i had to cut all of the mounting bolt they were to long i have afr heads.
mitch


[Modified by MITCH, 8:38 AM 10/24/2003]

 

like the proforms - look sharp

 

Good idea, I never thought of that.

I went to Autozone and got a low profile filtered cap witha 3/8 line on it, I can email you a pic if you like, just let me know.

 

hey whats up larry i cut a pcv valve off on the bottom it worked great and looks good too. ps is the rumor true are you going back to a super ram.
mitch :cheers:

 

i have pictures :seeya