Quick94LT1

iTrader: (4)

Ok im sorry if maybe this has been beaten to death or im just a search moron! I LOVE my 94z and it has 60k miles and is showroom mint with alot of suspension mods and some engine bolt ons (see sig) my question is, I either want to do a Ai H/C package or a ls1 swap (6.0 LQ4?), what Is more reliable with say 500 RWHP using nitrous? are the ported stock heads a reliable head with a power adder at those power levels? I would probably drive the car with H/C for awhile like that, How much power can the factory rotating assembly handle? when would I need a forged bottom end? now as far as an ls swap, what are the pros of it considering the 500-550 RWHP goal with nitrous? stock heads and cam? or does it also need ported heads? and is a ls swap only really considered at power levels above what im trying to attain?
Thank you for your help and this is not meant as a LT1 vs LS1 thread just trying to see if its better to build what I have or upgrade.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

The LS setup will cost more in the long run, but since you have a low mileage bottom end and obviously love your LT1 I'd stick with it. An AI 200cc h/c package plus a 150 shot will easily eclipse the 500whp mark reliably (pending you use GOOD parts, CAREFUL assembly, and don't half-*** anything). Keep in mind you'll need to do a bunch of other upgrades whichever way you go (fuel system, PCM, etc.). Alot of your decision is going to be based on your budget.

coolmanvette75

iTrader: (2)

AI 200cc + 150 wet shot = Laughing at those silly ls1 owners

Quick94LT1

iTrader: (4)

Ok so ai 200cc heads plus 150 will keep bolt on and some modded ls1s at bay? Is that power reliable with a stock shortblock or should I not sparay until its forged? Also my fuel system will be built for the power and will have a efi 24x if I stay lt1 so at 500 or so hp there are no issues with using stock ported heads? Or should I be looking at aftermarket heads?

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

You either underestimate what a 500whp LT1 can do or overestimate bolt-on LS1s.

500+whp will destroy just about everything on the road. Perhaps you should ride in a 400whp car to see what you're getting yourself into!

In the hands of the right porter stock heads outperform aftermarket castings.

lttransam

iTrader: (12)

yep i will agree with the guy above me, h/c from AI alone and you wont look back.. at least i never did

Quick94LT1

iTrader: (4)

I have a 400 rwhp 4.6 supercharged mustang that doesent feel that fast plus everything nowadays has that much hp...I have been beat by bolt on as camaros in my mustang. I want a fast camaro

Quick94LT1

iTrader: (4)

*ss camaros

gregrob

iTrader: (8)

Heads cam LS + 150 shot. 600 RWHP.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

Twice the price of heads/cam LT + 150 shot.

bizerk1

lt1's can handle power fine! ls1's aluminum block doesnt, am I right?

oChristiano

iTrader: (6)

Not really.. I made 500+ off my ls swap and that was swapping out my blown lt1. Parted out my lt1 bolt ons bought my donor for 2800 and made back 3k off of parting out what i didnt need..and now i have a running ls swapped 96z28. Then heads cam 2k and nitrous kit.

Though am i in no way against a good h/c lt1

oChristiano

iTrader: (6)

Ls1 will hold more power longer..also stock short block has been faster in the quarter. Its in the design of the block.

kinglt-1

iTrader: (26)

Incorrect... A stock bottom end ls1 has been 600whp reliably time after time. A stock bottom end lt1 is safe to about 500whp. Yes the lt1 block is slightly stronger, but lets be real, the ls1 and lt1 block will handle more power than most will ever throw at it end of story. Ls1 blocks have handled 1000hp just like lt1's...you dont see that often because most ls1 guys go with a lq 6.0 iron block...reason being it makes more sense at those power levels when your talking lots of $$$ in build of that caliber.

Rob94hawk

iTrader: (1)

Don't forget that if you go LSX you have to get a new K-member AND a new M6 thus costing you more $$ than you anticipated.

oChristiano

iTrader: (6)

Ls1 k can be found at just about any salvage yard or junkyard. And your lt1 t56 can be converted by to a ls t56 by any trans shop.

moge11

LY6 with a cam will be right there with heads and cam LT1 and the LY6 with cam will be bout the same price as just the AI heads

93Z2871805

iTrader: (5)

This can be expensive (although worth it to ditch the opti).

FWIW My swap looked something like this:

6.0 truck motor - $1000
LS3 heads - $714 shipped
Cam - $400
Lifters - $120
Bearings (rod and main) - $120
Rings - $100
Rod bolts - $80 iirc
LS2 rods/pistons - $125
LS3 manifold/rails/injectors - $300
Springs - $225
TB - $220
F-body Harness - $300
0411 pcm - $16
K-member - traded for
SFI balancer - $200 or so, can't remember
SFI flexplate - $75
F-body oil pan - $125
Melling HV/HP pump - $139
LS2 timing set - $80
1 7/8 LTs - $300 used
Balancing and machine work - $225

$4864

figure in gaskets, tuning, accessories, trans conversion, other odds and ends, subtract what you can sell off. Also you can do it a lot cheaper by not going with an LS3/L92 top end (LS6 intake and maybe some 243s to bump the compression of an LQ4?). As far as bang for the buck and ease of installation (ie not converting), a H/C LT1 can make some really good power (I just really can't stand the opti, lol). Even though my Z28 is being converted, I'm still planning on keeping the LT1 for a later project (I'd really like to slap a carb on it and put it into something really light).

OP are you looking specifically at a HP figure, or are you trying to run a certain et, or just a quick street car?

vtec

iTrader: (1)

i have tons of passes on a stock shortblock LT1 with a 200 shot.... should be making well over 600rwhp.

hvyss

Love my AI H/C/I setup. My Sig says it all.