I was very excited that GMHTP decided to cover more LT1 performance modifications in future issues of their magazine. I enjoy reading GMHTP, but their LT1 355 build was absolutely embarrassing IMO.

The motor started out as a stock headed 355ci LT1 with a 210/200 comp cam. Bolt ons included LTs, Flowmaster mufflers, K&N CAI, MSD ignition, and XFI computer.

Heres the cliff notes.

Part One: Intake manifold and TB upgrade

Baseline Dyno:
350.4 fwhp 386 lb-ft

Dyno with an aftermarket intake manifold and 52mm TB:
350.3 fwhp 391 lb-ft

They spent $700 for only a -.1 fwhp and 5 lb-ft gain?????


Part Two: 218/218 cam and 170cc heads

Dyno with 218/218 cam and 170cc heads, aftermarket intake, and 52 TB :
393 fwhp 393 lb-ft.

They spent another $1600 for only 43 fwhp and 2 lb-ft gain?????


Part Three: Ported aftermarket 170cc heads, aftermarket intake, 58mm TB, and 1.5 aluminum rockers

Dyno with ported aftermarket heads/intake and 52mm TB:
400.6 fwph 402 lb-ft

Dyno with ported aftermarket heads/intake, 58mm TB, and aluminum 1.5 rockers:
416.1 fwhp 409 lb-ft

Dyno with ported aftermarket heads, STOCK ported intake. 58mm TB, and aluminum 1.5 rockers
422 fwhp 414 lb-ft

They spent im guessing around $1000 for 29 fwhp and 21 ft-lb. Wow.


Conclusion:

GMHTP started out with a 355ci LT1 that baselined at 350.4 fwhp 386 lb-ft. Then invested $3300 into a budget top end and ONLY produced 422 fwhp and 414 lb-ft! Thats a gain of only 72 fwhp and 28 lb-ft!! In my terms of mind thats .02 fwph per dollar.

IMO this article series build makes it appear that LT1s are completely inferior to LS1 specifically. I would have def invested $3300 in a completely different way to make horsepower. Cam only and spray with money left over for tires or head/cam package from the sponsors. I just found this article completely laughable. GMHTP is an awesome magazine and love every issue, however this article series was disappointing. Hopefully, the next LT1 build will make up for this one.

 

I think GMHTP is being run by the same people at GM ( into the ground )

 

yeah, i picked up the magazine last night bc i saw they were doing something with lt1s and they had a lt1 camaro on the cover. Get home, go to the bathroom (only place i can read without my wife bugging me) and discover the crap build up on the lt1 and the cover car has a ls1 swapped in it, which is cool, but i was hoping to see someones lt1 build.

 

What a weak *** build... they should come cover my car if they want to see what a 355 should do.

 

While the build is weak I think its nice that they tested the Edelbrock manifold and confirmed that its worthless...Not sure what they are trying to accomplish though...They probably should have consulted some of us first...

--Alan

 

Yeah, as underachieving as the build was, at least they didn't skew the results to make their advertisers look better.

I'm wondering if this motor will be going into their project LT1. They originially stated that they wanted to run 11's with a daily driver type, full weight setup. Good luck hitting an 11 with this motor. That motor might not even hit 350rwhp through the automatic.

 

We all know the formula for getting the most out of an LT1 setup and it makes you think how out-of-touch they really are at GMHTP...IMO the mag is going down hill every issue...unlike when Johnny was in charge and I actually looked forward to getting my new issue now not so much...The world doesn't revolve around LS1's and we all know that...I saw someones comment that the LT1 cars are the new Fox body cars and I couldn't agree more...

 

i used to go buy the magazine every month and from reading it i no everything to make an ls1 fast but that article was stupid they should do a real lt1 build and if they wanna do it on a budget just come cover my build this winter lol

 

even with the ls1 stuff, i have both lt1 and ls1 fbodys and still dont care about some crate engines that cost more than the car itself is worth. I want to see articles on stuff average people can afford. Tired or twin turbo this and that. Yeah, its cool, but i cant afford those.

 

What a shame! one would figure there would have to be good upgrades out there by now for a 16yr old. so why would the person that created the article not do atleast a google search to find out what the LtX community is doing,hell one just may stumble upon a website dedicated to the LtX or one that may just have a section totally dedicated to the LtX that has so much information that one could become overwhelmed with streetable emissions 12 and 11 second combinations....I suppose doing research on a topic is out of the question!!!!

 

Im sure they know very well how to build an LTX motor properly as anyone here would do. Ive seen them post on here and CZ28.com before so they must know what going on. But they gotta keep their sponsors and their crappy parts happy.
*Cough*Edelbrock*Cough*

 

What you guys are failing to realize is that this is an article people wanted to read. If you read there editorial section and see what kind of email people are sending them this is one of the stories people were wanting. Now that they do it you have people griping about it.
People are always complaining to them about doing an LT1 build, granted it may have not been the one "you" may have wanted but at least they did it. Hopefully they will continue to do more. I do agree that way too much attention gets placed on the lsx platform but that is were the money is right now. GMHTP has come in this very forum time and time again asking for "decent" looking LT1's to put in the mag. Thats all they ask for and they'll do it. So if your tired of seeing the same LSX do something about it and take some pics of your ride and submit it!

 

i agree 100%


Javier send those fools some info about your car along with a nice write up and pics! that will surely make it into the mag! your 355 is the prime example as well, now they can have an article about your car with its specific parts so everyone out there can see that the LT1 done by the right people with the right parts put into it can be a nasty fast car!

 

im plannin on sendin them a write up about my car and all wen im done itd be awesome to get the car into the mag but wats the chance they'll put it in

 

Very hard chances, but if you take some bad *** pics of your car and write very well you maybe could.

 

i could do that lol

 

I wouldn't judge GMHTP too harshly. People asked for a test of the Edelbrock parts and that's the story they wrote. It just turns out that Edelbrock LT1 parts are crap for producing significant horsepower.

 

Well stated.

 

How did the magazine look back in the early to mid 90s when the LT1 came out anybody remember? Was it a bunch of LT stuff in the pages?

 

A lot more than there is now. I can understand the need to evolve too.