LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Next upgrades! please ONLY exper.posts

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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 03:42 PM
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Default Next upgrades! please ONLY exper.posts

OK I am at a crossroad with my Lt1 she is my driver and will stay that way!
I have gone the fastest I feel I can 12.98@106 at 3000'day average. So to do more in "bolt-on" form may be a waste of time and money. So my options are:
1.Freshen the bottom end new rods and forged pistons,custom cam and head combo w/ NX unit.....
2.Freshen the bottom as above w/ dish pistons though,custom cam,freshen heads w/ light porting etc. Rear mount Turbo custom fabbed.
3.Ls1 conversion w/turbo..shhh I know noone wants to hear this
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 03:46 PM
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Trust me friends I don't really want to swap to an Ls at this time mainly since my car is an Lt1 car and has definitely shown up MANY Ls powered cars. On a 150 shot she had no problems running 11.30s but it's time for an upgrade of some kind!!!
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 04:02 PM
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What is your budget like? FI route is gona cost a ton compared to the N02 route. That being said, if you have the budget for FI and you want a turbo LT1 go for it.

But if its a DD like mine is most of the time, I would go for the H/C/N. I had my setup built to handle nitrous, just haven't got around to buying a nitrous kit. The turbo set up would be hard to maintain as a DD IMO.
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 04:08 PM
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how much money do you have?

if the car is nice and you want to keep driving it, i would leave it alone and start on another car and do it the way you want.
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 04:13 PM
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Turbo set up is no problem.... tuning is no problem thanks to the Ls1 pcm conversion ready to be installed.
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 04:20 PM
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I would say she is in pretty clean condition
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 04:23 PM
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I think a turbo setup would be dope but nitrous is alot cheaper ...
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 04:43 PM
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Throw heads and cam at it.......thats what i did
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by 96lt1m6
I would say she is in pretty clean condition
my advice- leave it nice and start a different car. you can buy these cars with a blown head gasket for $1,000. you dont want to find yourself in the future trying to un-modify your once fun to drive car. (like i am doing right now with my 4th gen)
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 04:55 PM
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I agree, find one thats straight and do as you please.
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 05:09 PM
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how fast do you want to go and how much money do you have to work with?
if it were me i would find a 4 bolt block and build it then swap it over. that away your not in a time crunch to get it running. and you will have a spare engine just in case. also one thing to keep in mind is the nickle and dime stuff will kill your wallet the faster you want to go.
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 05:49 PM
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3.75 stroker crank kit with quality H beam rods and forged pistons. LE2 heads with and a good nitrous cam. 50 to 150 wet shot should keep you happy, until the turbo bug bites hard.
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 06:27 PM
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I would do a 383 kit and heads and cam. this should put you in the high 11s easy. if you want more a baby shot will get it tens NP
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 07:08 PM
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383 with LE H,C on the juice would be good and you could still drive it every day, but a boosted BUILT 5.3 would be a ton of fun on the street.
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 07:39 PM
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go ls1 and never look back
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 07:52 PM
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Its a tough crossroad, it all comes down to your budget, I would do spray if you are looking for an improvement on the track.

I had a moderate heads and cam kit, its overkill for a daily driver.
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 08:01 PM
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stroke it AND tubo it
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 08:34 PM
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buy a LT1 car with a blown head gasket for $1k. put all suspension on it and remove all the extra weight. then add:

heads/cam/rockers/etc
headers with bullet mufflers
12 bolt/9"
th400/glide
10 point rollcage
28" slicks
100-150 shot of nitrous

bam. fairly reliable, streetable 9 sec. combo. and you wont have to walk to work on monday when it breaks since you will still have your other NICE car.
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 08:53 PM
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I am really leaning towards a 355 Lt1w/t76 out back. Nitrous is bitchin but having to refill bottles suck especially when you are empty and THAT Guy starts talkin smack!
I'm thinking a cam/heads/my NX set up 355 would possibly get less rwhp and fuel mileage than a turbo'd 355........
The power from a turbo'd 5.3 is awesome but she is staying an Lt1!!!!!!!!!!!
Great conversation piece this has turned into.
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Old Dec 9, 2011 | 09:58 PM
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Im in the same boat as you. Ran 12.93 on motor. Looking to throw a 150 shot at it and try to break 11s...
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