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

Ideas on a LT1 crate motor?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 8, 2014 | 06:16 PM
  #1  
WCT13's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: NC
Default Ideas on a LT1 crate motor?

So my 355 just spun a bearing and has to be pulled and I am literally done with that motor. Nothing but problems. So I want ideas on a company (reputable) that has built motors like 383's, etc.

Any help would be appreciated!
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2014 | 07:02 PM
  #2  
Shownomercy's Avatar
Man-Crush Warning
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,195
Likes: 129
Default

http://www.ellweinengines.com/
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2014 | 05:43 AM
  #3  
bufmatmuslepants's Avatar
12 Second Club
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 49
From: Hampstead, NC
Default

You don't have to throw away your motor, if you are set on a 383 you replace the crank anyways, find a shop who does any small block Chevys, do a 385 and get a forged 3.75" crank, forged rods, 0.040 forged 1.5/1.5/3mm pistons with the right cc for 11.5:1 compression, 0.035-0.038 quench, and have them assemble it. Just don't let the sbc guy tell you that you can't run over 10:1 on pump gas (ltx can do 12.5), make sure you use pistons for our thin rings, and use a FORGED crank, not cast. As long as you do your research and just have him assemble it, it goes together like any other 1 piece RMS sbc. But Ellwein has a great reputation too, but if he's not local shipping is expensive.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2014 | 09:42 AM
  #4  
ahritchie's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
Default

Jegs has a replacement LT1 for about $3K with warranty...but it would be pointless to get it for the warranty if you are going to put a cam and heads on it. As mentioned just get a good local engine shop to do a mild refresh on it for less than $1000; if you really are "done", I would just go the LS route before paying thousands for a stock replacement LT1 with inferior heads and ignition system, LS stuff gets cheaper by the day.

This place does have some interesting options, just don't get the "ultra economy 383" Lol...BOOM!

http://www.victoryracingengines.com/...TX&BLOCK=SHORT

Last edited by ahritchie; Oct 10, 2014 at 09:48 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2014 | 01:18 PM
  #5  
WCT13's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: NC
Default

Originally Posted by ahritchie
Jegs has a replacement LT1 for about $3K with warranty...but it would be pointless to get it for the warranty if you are going to put a cam and heads on it. As mentioned just get a good local engine shop to do a mild refresh on it for less than $1000; if you really are "done", I would just go the LS route before paying thousands for a stock replacement LT1 with inferior heads and ignition system, LS stuff gets cheaper by the day.

This place does have some interesting options, just don't get the "ultra economy 383" Lol...BOOM!

http://www.victoryracingengines.com/...TX&BLOCK=SHORT
By no means am I going to put a stock motor back in it. I am leaning towards a 383 LT1 and a vortech YSI.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2014 | 01:55 PM
  #6  
lt1-xjs's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 11
From: centerville, ohio
Default

Originally Posted by WCT13
So my 355 just spun a bearing and has to be pulled and I am literally done with that motor. Nothing but problems. So I want ideas on a company (reputable) that has built motors like 383's, etc.

Any help would be appreciated!
Sounds like it's happened more than once. What parts were used, who did the assembly and block prep ? You need to find the cause of the problem. We need a little back ground.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2014 | 03:47 PM
  #7  
96capricemgr's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,975
Likes: 15
Default

You can easily end up with a forged 383 that is crap compared to a stock short block.

Need to identify and admit problems if you want to avoid repeating them.
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2014 | 03:12 AM
  #8  
warriorcustoms's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 942
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma
Default

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/eng...k/viewall.html

A 383 is OK but If your goin all out ya might as well do a 396 with .030 over or a 398 with .040 over!!! Ive got almost everything for a Dart Pro 1 headed nitrous eatin 396 but you cant have My parts LoL Terry Walters will be able to take care of your build for Ya!!! He did the machine work on My Dart heads & David Vizard ported the heads for Me after I begged for like a Month to Terry LoL IF your gonna run Stock LT1 castings send them to AI or Elliot they have em down pat... I bout **** when I seen 311cfm out of 200cc ported heads & thats what I wanted for the Pro 1s I had just bought Doin it right aint cheap!!! Youll need all the supporting mods to follow like a 4L80E & S60 rear diff to name 2 LoL I still need 1083 for custom JE flat tops to hold the nitrous & 1100 for 1.6 shaft mount rockers to finish mine... Hope this helped a LiL P.S I know that the link is a SBC LoL but the internals & other parts swap right over!!!
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-3

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-7

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

 Brett Foote
story-9

10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 19, 2014 | 12:41 PM
  #9  
slownova73's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (31)
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 598
Likes: 0
From: Asheboro NC
Default

Originally Posted by 96capricemgr
You can easily end up with a forged 383 that is crap compared to a stock short block.

Need to identify and admit problems if you want to avoid repeating them.
First off, we didnt assemble the ******* thing, second, we got it apart, and the oil pump pickup tube (which was tack welded on by the machine shop that assembled the engine) had came unwelded and fell off in the pan, thus destroying the front mains, and scarring the rest. so unfortunately for you, no problems for us to admit here, just the shady machine shop that did the work.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2014 | 04:33 AM
  #10  
ElkySS's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,149
Likes: 31
From: Houston Tx
Default

Originally Posted by warriorcustoms
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/eng...k/viewall.html

A 383 is OK but If your goin all out ya might as well do a 396 with .030 over or a 398 with .040 over!!! Ive got almost everything for a Dart Pro 1 headed nitrous eatin 396 but you cant have My parts LoL Terry Walters will be able to take care of your build for Ya!!! He did the machine work on My Dart heads & David Vizard ported the heads for Me after I begged for like a Month to Terry LoL IF your gonna run Stock LT1 castings send them to AI or Elliot they have em down pat... I bout **** when I seen 311cfm out of 200cc ported heads & thats what I wanted for the Pro 1s I had just bought Doin it right aint cheap!!! Youll need all the supporting mods to follow like a 4L80E & S60 rear diff to name 2 LoL I still need 1083 for custom JE flat tops to hold the nitrous & 1100 for 1.6 shaft mount rockers to finish mine... Hope this helped a LiL P.S I know that the link is a SBC LoL but the internals & other parts swap right over!!!

Holy ****, this dude is excited
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2014 | 11:46 PM
  #11  
warriorcustoms's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 942
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma
Default

^^^^ LoL ElkySS Just tryin to help the OP & yeah I get a LiL wound up talkin bout My parts Im a Gearhead...

Hey OP theres a 396 LT1 over on LTxtech for 3grand!!! better nab it!!!
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:59 AM.

story-0
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-3
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-4
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-5
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE
story-8
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

The world was a better place when it was still around.

By Brett Foote | 2026-01-23 09:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

Slideshow: The 7.0-liter LS7 was designed for absolute cutting-edge performance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-07 18:36:00


VIEW MORE