Gen 1 sbc head conversion
why would you want to? because there are some pretty awesome SBC heads out there. yes you can convert them. when I was looking in to it lloyd mentioned a few people that did it for around $400-$600.
I already have a set of pro topline 235's for a gen1.
And the LT1 bottom end i have is fresh.If it was a matter of modifying some coolant passages i would like to use the heads that i have.
And the LT1 bottom end i have is fresh.If it was a matter of modifying some coolant passages i would like to use the heads that i have.
yes you can covert heads from gen 1 to gen 2
you have to convert the heads to reverse cooling
the LT1 aftermarket is limited to 23 degree heads and the new trickflow 21 degree heads I heard about
the gen 1 head selection is amazing, plenty of reason to want to convert, 18 degree SB2.2 heads had one guy trapping 137+ mph n/a on an LT1
you have to convert the heads to reverse cooling
the LT1 aftermarket is limited to 23 degree heads and the new trickflow 21 degree heads I heard about
the gen 1 head selection is amazing, plenty of reason to want to convert, 18 degree SB2.2 heads had one guy trapping 137+ mph n/a on an LT1
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo wow didnt think it was possible and figured if it was it would be way more $$ than that.
me personally I'd rather reuse the LT1 intake to cut alot of cost and hassle, plus throw off people when they try to guess what the car has done
10 Second Club
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 28
Yes it can be done. No, it's not very difficult to do, you MUST run a new SBC style intake though because the LT1 intake manifold bolt pattern is different. A lot of guys will run the Edelbrock Victor EFI manifold, and the Edelbrock fuel rails. It is pointless to do this mod unless you are looking at a very high rpm motor, because ported stock LT1 castings are more than sufficient.
CFM(creative flow management) did my conversion. It was $400.
You have to re route the oil return and modify some coolant passages. If you use a standard Gen1 intake like I did they bolt right together. I used the 2 rear coolant ports on the super vic for my coolant bypass.
If you have the heads already, it is WELL worth it. And no it doesnt have to be a HIGH rpm engine, I have stock electronics, opti still in place. My power peaks at 6800.
DOnt waste your money trying to put a stock style intake on these heads. You will choke them. If you are gonna do that port the stockers.
See times in my sig.
I have the exact heads on my LT1, with a super vic, elbow and a monoblade.
CFM(creative flow management) did my conversion. It was $400.
You have to re route the oil return and modify some coolant passages. If you use a standard Gen1 intake like I did they bolt right together. I used the 2 rear coolant ports on the super vic for my coolant bypass.
If you have the heads already, it is WELL worth it. And no it doesnt have to be a HIGH rpm engine, I have stock electronics, opti still in place. My power peaks at 6800.
DOnt waste your money trying to put a stock style intake on these heads. You will choke them. If you are gonna do that port the stockers.
See times in my sig.
CFM(creative flow management) did my conversion. It was $400.
You have to re route the oil return and modify some coolant passages. If you use a standard Gen1 intake like I did they bolt right together. I used the 2 rear coolant ports on the super vic for my coolant bypass.
If you have the heads already, it is WELL worth it. And no it doesnt have to be a HIGH rpm engine, I have stock electronics, opti still in place. My power peaks at 6800.
DOnt waste your money trying to put a stock style intake on these heads. You will choke them. If you are gonna do that port the stockers.
See times in my sig.
The blue plugs were threaded in and the hole above them was angle drilled to be the oil drain.
Re-drill intake, but you wont have to do that
Otherwise just drill and tap a hole in the rear for the coolant tubes
So where the blue plug is,thats were the original oil drain was right ?
When you say drill and tap for the vent you mean do it the same as the lt1 head.I'm not trying to repeat what you said i'm just trying to be sure.
Do any of the coolant passages need to be blocked off on the gen 1 head?
When you say drill and tap for the vent you mean do it the same as the lt1 head.I'm not trying to repeat what you said i'm just trying to be sure.
Do any of the coolant passages need to be blocked off on the gen 1 head?
That is correct. Then the drain was re-drilled at an angle to clear the plug as you can see. You can accomplish this with welding as well.
I really dont recall what else is needed so hopefully someone else chimes in. I do not have the heads here to look at
I really dont recall what else is needed so hopefully someone else chimes in. I do not have the heads here to look at
MAKE NO MISTAKE if this is not done correctly you WILL ruin an engine. It is not as easy as what the pics lead you to believe. If you look CLOSE to that top pic on the left side you can see where the head surface was welded up and re-surfaced. WHere the blue plug is its darker, see the square part?
Pay the money and have it done RIGHT.
You do not have to drill the rear of the heads for the steam/coolant passages. As I stated earlier, use the 2 rear coolant ports on the intake, "T" them together and run it to the radiator.Here is the best pic I have.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Pay the money and have it done RIGHT.
You do not have to drill the rear of the heads for the steam/coolant passages. As I stated earlier, use the 2 rear coolant ports on the intake, "T" them together and run it to the radiator.Here is the best pic I have.
[IMG]
[/IMG] Last edited by FASTFATBOY; Jan 23, 2009 at 07:39 PM.