1976NOVA

My name is Daniel and I am just your average stupid teenager. But anyways I am swapping an Lt-1 (out of a 1996) into a 1976 Chevy nova. I wanta make it have a nice choppy idle, and have a little more power over stock.... What do you suggest I do.? (Funds are pretty limited so yeah...)


It will have a turbo 350 trans with a 10 bolt rear..

NewOrleansLT1

Do a cam swap with a tight lobe separation angle, headers, bigger torque converter and tune.

1976NOVA

Do I have to do all at the same time.? That sounds like a lot of money. As far as cam swap, should I get the hot cam kit.? I kind of plan on using this as my daily driver so I don't want anything to crazy. I just wanta a little more power and a choppy idle..

NewOrleansLT1

The hot cam kit would be ok for what your after..

1976NOVA

Do I have to get it tuned.? And what else should I do besides the hot cam kit.. I've been reading that you have to do other things for it not to grenade it's self. I won't be reving it above 5000 RPM for now....

NewOrleansLT1

Go back and read post number 2

1976NOVA

I understand that. But will the engine still run and have a little more power with just the hot cam kit.?

NewOrleansLT1

Yes it will

1976NOVA

Okay. For the cam, what all would I need to change (timing chain, rockers, pushrods, etc.), and would effect fuel economy.?

guppymech

iTrader: (7)

The hotcam does not have a choppy idle. A cam swap is going to cost around $700-1000. There's nothing cheap about modding these engines correctly.
Camshaft/Valvetrain sticky from top of page:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-m...ion-guide.html

93M6Formula

I think at this point, just get the motor in the car and get it running. Making power costs money and if you are leary about just doing a cam swap, you need to take a step back and save money and do some reading first. When I was your age, I was plenty fine with my stock 305 '87 Trans Am.

You're average cam swap will cost you $1K+ and that's not counting supporting mods like a stall and headers etc.

Almonz T/A

Generally cam swaps for most include 1.6 or 1.7 RR's, springs, rods, timing chain, lifters, and of course the cam. It's pretty damn easy to throw out at least 1k+ on a cam - it adds up fast. I don't know your mechanical background, but it sounds like you should take a step back and just get this thing running before you start tearing apart the engine. Save your money, do good in school, go to college, get a well-paying job, THEN start tearing apart this motor. At this point if you do want to work on the car and go a little faster get all of your boltons done. That way by the time you do have a career you have all your boltons done and can immediately start getting into the motor, and not have to worry about cash to do so.