When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Anybody ever got Gen 1 heads to fit on a LT1 block. I know the LT1 has reverse cooling and all but I've looked online and I've come up with a few people who had their block machined but no clear pictures. I've found a local machine shop that has asked me to bring my heads and a LT1 gasket so they can figure it out but I wanted to get some info on it before I go. Any help will be appreciated
This is going backwards in time, LT1 heads are aluminum and are years ahead of Gen 1 SBC heads. If you want gen 1 heads why not just put them on what they belong?
They should be modifying the coolant passages on the gen1 heads to match the LT1 heads not the block. Then you would have to modify the intake to fit (never bothered to see if it was cost-prohibitive) or find a fuel injected gen1 intake that you like and have the hole for the distributor welded up along with the hole for the water pump neck. If you have that kind of time and money on your hands then go for it but there are far better cost-effective bolt-on alternatives and you will probably read a lot about them here.
They should be modifying the coolant passages on the gen1 heads to match the LT1 heads not the block. Then you would have to modify the intake to fit (never bothered to see if it was cost-prohibitive) or find a fuel injected gen1 intake that you like and have the hole for the distributor welded up along with the hole for the water pump neck. If you have that kind of time and money on your hands then go for it but there are far better cost-effective bolt-on alternatives and you will probably read a lot about them here.
^^^^ What he said. Plus I was planning on doing this on my next big LT1 build. I know for a fact that Brodix can do this. Since aftermarket LT1 heads come in limited sizes, I contacted Brodix after I spoke with a rep at the local track and he justified that they could do 265cc-285cc heads out of Gen 1 heads and convert them to be LT1 heads. It cost a pretty penny but can be done. Its not too much you cant do with an in house CNC machine. The heads that I wanted would've been around $3600 after all said and done and flowed over 400cfm......
But this would be for an all out build, not just for a typical head, cam swap
^^^^ What he said. Plus I was planning on doing this on my next big LT1 build. I know for a fact that Brodix can do this. Since aftermarket LT1 heads come in limited sizes, I contacted Brodix after I spoke with a rep at the local track and he justified that they could do 265cc-285cc heads out of Gen 1 heads and convert them to be LT1 heads. It cost a pretty penny but can be done. Its not too much you cant do with an in house CNC machine. The heads that I wanted would've been around $3600 after all said and done and flowed over 400cfm......
But this would be for an all out build, not just for a typical head, cam swap
Annnnnnnnnnnnd then you get the shaft with the LT1 block small bores limiting your valve size choices.
Again, not the best of choices when you can get a ton of support with LT1 heads. Nitrous/turbo make crappy heads better.
I have had two sets of sbc heads on a LT1 block. I would keep the sbc chevy intake pattern and run a sbc intake if you do it. I may have some photos showing the mods needed.
I have had two sets of sbc heads on a LT1 block. I would keep the sbc chevy intake pattern and run a sbc intake if you do it. I may have some photos showing the mods needed.
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.
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.
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...
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.
Gen 1 Heads on LT1 Block 
