Carb'd LT1 Question
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Carb'd LT1 Question
GM readily sells a LT1 carb intake. If you use this you can also use a regular distributor, doing away with the opti. The problem then what do you do about the timing cover? That's a rather large hole that the opti typically fills up. Will a normal SBC timing cover fit or do you have to modify the LT1?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 9
From: Houston TX
Re: Carb'd LT1 Question (Nathan Plemons)
couldn't you just leave the opti there, but not doing anything? it couldn't hurt, right?
are you thinking of doing this swap? only thing i don't like is that they don't offer a single plane version.
-michael
are you thinking of doing this swap? only thing i don't like is that they don't offer a single plane version.
-michael
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 9
From: Houston TX
Re: Carb'd LT1 Question (Ray383)
easier? probably not. one entails changing the fuel system and ignition source. the other entails swapping engines, accessories, a/c system, cooling system, as well as the fuel system and ignition. especially if one already has a stroker LTx engines with decent heads, making the switch is a pretty big step.
if you're starting from scratch, then the draw is much bigger. suddenly you can build a large bore engine, and have a huge variety of cylinder heads to choose from, not to mention better intake manifolds. if you are willing to do all the extra work for the hp gains, it's not a tremendous amount more expensive than building an LTx effort.
-michael
if you're starting from scratch, then the draw is much bigger. suddenly you can build a large bore engine, and have a huge variety of cylinder heads to choose from, not to mention better intake manifolds. if you are willing to do all the extra work for the hp gains, it's not a tremendous amount more expensive than building an LTx effort.
-michael
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: Carb'd LT1 Question (MSR)
It's not for me at all. A friend of mine has a 3rd gen f-body that had a blown up 305. He got a 350 block but it turns out it's cracked. He can get a deal on an LT1 short block and he can get the heads really cheap too. He wouldn't have any of the electronics to make the fuel injection work, nor would he have the intake, etc. What he does have easy access to is a used carb, etc.
He can buy the engine and spend $250 on the carb intake and have the car running in no time. Then he can slowly piece together what he needs to make the fuel injection work again as he has the money.
You could just put an opti in there and leave it, but that requires having one. The LT1 carb intake is designed for a distributor so that's not a problem at all.
He can buy the engine and spend $250 on the carb intake and have the car running in no time. Then he can slowly piece together what he needs to make the fuel injection work again as he has the money.
You could just put an opti in there and leave it, but that requires having one. The LT1 carb intake is designed for a distributor so that's not a problem at all.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Re: Carb'd LT1 Question (Nathan Plemons)
GM readily sells a LT1 carb intake. If you use this you can also use a regular distributor, doing away with the opti. The problem then what do you do about the timing cover? That's a rather large hole that the opti typically fills up. Will a normal SBC timing cover fit or do you have to modify the LT1?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 10
From: Nashville TN
Re: Carb'd LT1 Question (Nathan Plemons)
It's actually just a cover for the existing cover. If you switch to an electric water pump, you can use a standard cover though.
GMPP part # 12367600 =Front cover/plug for covering the hole left on a 1996 LT4 engine when the distributor is removed and a rear mounted distributor is used.
They used to cost $45, but that was back in the day. I really don't even know if they carry these anymore.
GMPP part # 12367600 =Front cover/plug for covering the hole left on a 1996 LT4 engine when the distributor is removed and a rear mounted distributor is used.
They used to cost $45, but that was back in the day. I really don't even know if they carry these anymore.
