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Using 18* (or 15*) SBC heads on a LT1
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn, NY
Using 18* (or 15*) SBC heads on a LT1 Besides using 18 degree specific pistons in the short block and 18 degree specific intake mainfold and converting over to reverse cooling, what else is required in using these heads in a LTx engine???
Do regular SBC/LTx headers still match up??
Can you still use regular HR lifter and roller rocker arms(in other words a conventional SBC valvetrain)??
Do you think flow number that these heads produce N/A makes the conversion worth it for high performance street???
I am thinking of going this route for my 383 LTx stroker build on my '95 Caprice instead of the usual 23 degree head Advanced Induction or Lloyd Elliot route that everyone seems to go.
One reason in prompting me in going this way is from an article in the February, 2009 online issue of Hot Rod magazine, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering built a 420ci small-block engine with a Bow-Tie block, a Callies 3.875-inch stroker crank, Oliver rods, and a Comp Cams roller. With 11.0:1 compression, 18-degree Chevy heads, and a Bow-Tie single-plane intake manifold fitted with EFI, this big-inch Mouse produced a stout 623 horsepower at just 6300 rpm.
Do regular SBC/LTx headers still match up??
Can you still use regular HR lifter and roller rocker arms(in other words a conventional SBC valvetrain)??
Do you think flow number that these heads produce N/A makes the conversion worth it for high performance street???
I am thinking of going this route for my 383 LTx stroker build on my '95 Caprice instead of the usual 23 degree head Advanced Induction or Lloyd Elliot route that everyone seems to go.
One reason in prompting me in going this way is from an article in the February, 2009 online issue of Hot Rod magazine, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering built a 420ci small-block engine with a Bow-Tie block, a Callies 3.875-inch stroker crank, Oliver rods, and a Comp Cams roller. With 11.0:1 compression, 18-degree Chevy heads, and a Bow-Tie single-plane intake manifold fitted with EFI, this big-inch Mouse produced a stout 623 horsepower at just 6300 rpm.
headers would be required to the best of my knowledge the face angle changes as well to the flange would have to be angled to match.....so a custom set would be the best bet IMO
You need
Pistons
Headers(full custom set)
Intake
Offset lifters
Rockers.
Its not worth it IMO. Too expensive for what you get to DO IT RIGHT.
Look up a guy on here N20DAVE, he did this already. Made 700 hp all motor.
With a 12to1 compression 396 and a good set of 23* heads, single plane you can make 600+
Pistons
Headers(full custom set)
Intake
Offset lifters
Rockers.
Its not worth it IMO. Too expensive for what you get to DO IT RIGHT.
Look up a guy on here N20DAVE, he did this already. Made 700 hp all motor.
With a 12to1 compression 396 and a good set of 23* heads, single plane you can make 600+
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Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn, NY
Don't stop anyone from acquiring wisdom and knowledge Listen Dwayne, I really respect what you have done with your AI heads and stock short block in your Caprice. But if I am going to spend at al least 5 to 10K of my hard earned dollars on a rebuild your are damn skippy I'm going to ask questions of anyone who is knowledgeable and will answer back. Only fools don't ask questions or just take the first answer they hear. As the wrter of Proverbs said "There is safety in a multitude of counselers"
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn, NY
Honestly 5-10k probably wont be enough cash though. Dont forget you will need a lot of supporting mods to make a combo that aggressive work, and you cant skimp on parts if you want it reliable.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn, NY
I plan to street drive in that power range using 23* heads and an HR...but "streetable" depends on who you ask. In my case it wont be a DD because of gas mileage(4k stall and 4.10s), but will be driven 2-3 times a week.
Honestly 5-10k probably wont be enough cash though. Dont forget you will need a lot of supporting mods to make a combo that aggressive work, and you cant skimp on parts if you want it reliable.
Honestly 5-10k probably wont be enough cash though. Dont forget you will need a lot of supporting mods to make a combo that aggressive work, and you cant skimp on parts if you want it reliable.
Yeah you are right about not skimping on the support mods.
Listen Dwayne, I really respect what you have done with your AI heads and stock short block in your Caprice. But if I am going to spend at al least 5 to 10K of my hard earned dollars on a rebuild your are damn skippy I'm going to ask questions of anyone who is knowledgeable and will answer back. Only fools don't ask questions or just take the first answer they hear. As the wrter of Proverbs said "There is safety in a multitude of counselers"
I used to believe that too, but then I got a clue, and the car got faster.
If your asking about that kind of set up, it's really not for you, no offense intended. But this would be like posting in the drag racing section of ORSCA and asking what I need to build a competitive Limited street car. This would be a really involved set up. Finding a machine shop competent to tackle a project like this would be a challenge in it self, the guys that can, I hope you like waiting. In a street car it's just not worth it, stick with a 23* head and use a power adder. A 600rwhp all motor any thing wont be a daily driver or any where close to it. Also $5-10K isn't realistic, I would budget closer to $20K all said and done to do it right.
if your looking to daily drive a 600hp n/a engine with swapped heads, you are out of your mind. if you have the money to build that, you should have the money to get yourself a decent daily driver, too.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn, NY
If your asking about that kind of set up, it's really not for you, no offense intended. But this would be like posting in the drag racing section of ORSCA and asking what I need to build a competitive Limited street car. This would be a really involved set up. Finding a machine shop competent to tackle a project like this would be a challenge in it self, the guys that can, I hope you like waiting. In a street car it's just not worth it, stick with a 23* head and use a power adder. A 600rwhp all motor any thing wont be a daily driver or any where close to it. Also $5-10K isn't realistic, I would budget closer to $20K all said and done to do it right.
600 flywheel isnt that hard. i believe u can do it with a stock ported manifold. thats what ill be trying, atleast. no point in spending all that money converting heads and all the hard to find supporting **** when u can do it with lt1 specific stuff
there are plenty of 600+ FWHP LSx cars prowling the streets of chi-town. 600 FWHP isn't much more then 450 RWHP.....give or take. Finding a wrecked running LSx powered car would be a cheaper and faster way to get to the 600 hp mark within your budget......