Hoping to hear from some people with experience on this topic. I am considering using an LT1 for a dirt track endurance application in place of an existing vortec SBC. I'm familiar with how to make good power with an LT1 in the RPM range it counts, and i know id have good results in that aspect as long as I kept it in one piece. This would be a bare bones carb application and not a high dollar forged build. My concern compared to the SBC is keeping it cool. How easily are aluminum heads warped? Will the reverse cooling cause oil temps to run higher than a traditional SBC such that the bearings might spin easier? Most races are in the ballpark of 15 minutes and you are continually in and out of heavy throttle at lower speeds where there isn't a lot of air moving through the radiator. The current SBC runs without an oil cooler and a larger aluminum radiator with mechanical fan. Most races it wont get hot but on a 90+ degree day the end of a race can have it in the ballpark of 220 and seems to handle that treatment without much drama.

Appreciate any input!

 

Check Supercharged111's thread in the road racing section: https://ls1tech.com/forums/road-raci...y-cmc-car.html

He races an LT1 in CMC and likely has some good advice

 

OP, the same rules apply with the LT1 as a Gen I SBC with just a few considerations. We built and ran a 355 LT1 for SCCA GT2 that lived a very happy life for a few years at 11.32:1, primarily being run at VIR, Road Atlanta, Sebring, and Roebling Road. The setup initially did not have an oil cooler (I can't remember if we added one later), and used a factory 4th gen radiator with factory electric fans. What would have certainly made life easier would have been to add a coolant swirl pot as the LT1 can be a pain as it relates to bleeding air out of the system, and I'm certain one would have helped out.