Would you build a LT1 or swap LS1?

[The Engineer]

Asking this question here on the LTXTech forum, is a lot like walking into a Catholic church and asking the priest what religion he would recommend!

Warren

[KissMyWhtSS]

Asking this question here on the LTXTech forum, is a lot like walking into a Catholic church and asking the priest what religion he would recommend!

True true. It's personal preference anyway.

[The Engineer]

True true. It's personal preference anyway.

For me, building LTX and SBC race engines (same basic design engine) is not simply a preference, but a true passion!!! My 1st Gen SBC engine in my tube-chassis car is making around 734 HP (N/A) at the crank and I haven't been out-run by an LSX engine yet. Now that I think about it, I haven't been out-run by a BBC either this year.

Warren

[OVA1]

For me, building LTX and SBC race engines (same basic design engine) is not simply a preference, but a true passion!!! My 1st Gen SBC engine in my tube-chassis car is making around 734 HP (N/A) at the crank and I haven't been out-run by an LSX engine yet. Now that I think about it, I haven't been out-run by a BBC either this year.

Warren

ROFLMNAO...

NAILED IT!


I bought my 96 Z by accident, drove the crap out of it for a few months, decided to toss on a set of used Hookers and the busted bolts in the driverside heads lead to the rebuild.

I run the local 1/8th mile track and with that refesh of the short-block, valve job, modest cam, those headers, cutouts, stall and upgrading the 3.42s to 4.10s/locker and a set of mickeys... we went from the traditional stock mid-low 9s to Mid 7s N/A... low 7.2x... with a 75 shot with a PB 60' of 1.5x... .

I'm not saying that we haven't been beat by ANY LS car since... but if we have, I don't remember it. Granted our track is a bit off the beaten path and there's clearly no end to the LS units that will feed us our lunch out there, but dollar for dollar and at the end of the day my Cam only LT1 was runnin' what amounts to high 11s; and in my experience... (easily 1000 passes) I just don't see a big advantage in the LS1. I mean I'm sure that the lighter block is nice... but given the smaller displacement, it's probably necessary...

Now as it stands right now, she's down for a new build. The 396 (3.875 stroke) forged crank is in, the ported AFR LT-4 heads/intake have been in forever... and we're just putting together the rest of the gear while we wait for some rack time to pull the engine and get busy making it happen. We're looking at something north of 500hp N/A when she's tuned off... And that's more than enough for the bulk of the LS gear running around down here...

Can't see why you'd want to settle for an LS, when you've got the culmination of 40 years of SBC experience sitting under the hood right now. Stay with what works...

This LS thing probably won't last...

[StorminMatt]

I just don't see a big advantage in the LS1.

When it comes to a modded motor, you are probably right. The fact of the matter is that the LSx heads flow quite a bit better than the stock LT1/LT4 heads. BUT, there are certainly plenty of options out there when it comes to better heads for the LT. And once you start upgrading heads, the advantages of the LSx become less and less (except for the weight, of course). After all, both engines are basically the same technology. It's not like the LSx is DOHC, or anything like that. So in the end, there is not going to be a TREMENDOUS advantage to going LSx. In fact, if you want DOHC, you can ONLY get it from an LTx (and I would take an LT5 over ANY LSx motor, LS7 included)!

[B'klyn9C1]

I know that with the LSx's that you get performance increases with Cam Only(w/programming of course) where you would need great heads, cam, programming and a magic incantation from Merlin himself.

Believe me I have thought of that. My speed mechanic is pushing the LSx conversion concept and it is much easier now than is was two years ago. Granted that outfits like Street & Performance makes a nice kit for the B-Body.
But it is alot more involved than people think.

Like which accessory drive do I to use? The 4th Gen F-body, the Vette or the truck? Problems in hooking up a workable AC and power sterring unit. Remember this is for a DD. I am not getting into the wiring harness issues. Iam not crarzy about cutting metal out of the frame rails that some kits require.

This one issue when it comes to LSx conversion that no seems to talk about much is the transplant LSx engine itself. What is its history ??How many miles does it really has. How was it maintained??

You see you can't in could conscience just pluck in an unknown engine in a car that you and your family are going to ride in without a good engine rebuild. Even in that last episode of Horsepower TV they went about how to do a total rebuild of a late model Mopar 5.7 liter Hemi coming out of a wrecked Chrysler product into a muscle car. That where the cost really goes up.

I have come to the conclusion that is is easier to build a radical LTx than to change all those ancillary components."