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

Why aren't there any aftermarket LT1 Blocks?

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Old 08-02-2006, 05:17 PM
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Default Why aren't there any aftermarket LT1 Blocks?

I've spent time looking for an aftermarket LT1 Block and it doesn't exist. I've always wondered why when the aftermarket has the SBC Gen 1 and the SBC Gen 3.
Old 08-02-2006, 05:43 PM
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the lt1 block is pretty strong anyway has alot of nickel content unlike the hecho en mexico blocks
Old 08-02-2006, 05:47 PM
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Same reason you do not see any after market 409 blocks. Why make some thing for a six year wonder?
Old 08-03-2006, 10:57 PM
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Aren't the LT1's basically Gen 1 blocks? Couldn't you use a Gen 1 block?
Old 08-03-2006, 11:32 PM
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They stopped production on LT1 rate motors and blocks in 99 i think maybe sooner. As for after market the LS1 came on so quick and is obviously a superior motor to build I say this and i own an LT1. Just get a used block have it machined. nothing wrong with it they can handle a lot of power just a PITA to get it there
Old 08-04-2006, 12:15 AM
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perhaps someday you might see one, but I wouldnt count on it. Look at how long it took msd to make an opti

Although if you were interested in a custom LTx block, I could point you to a person who made one out of modifying a Donovan 400 SBC aluminum block. But it aint cheap...
Old 08-04-2006, 09:46 AM
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Originally Posted by buffman
perhaps someday you might see one, but I wouldnt count on it. Look at how long it took msd to make an opti

Although if you were interested in a custom LTx block, I could point you to a person who made one out of modifying a Donovan 400 SBC aluminum block. But it aint cheap...

Under statement of the year
Old 08-04-2006, 09:50 AM
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They made Gen I SBCs a lot longer and theres a huge racing market that still use the Gen I.
Old 08-04-2006, 10:01 AM
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the answer in a nutshell is: because theres very little demand for one.
Old 08-04-2006, 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by 95FbFormula
Just get a used block have it machined. nothing wrong with it they can handle a lot of power just a PITA to get it there


A lot of LT1 owners are making some big power from the "inferior" small block. I'm one of them.

770 rwhp wasn't a PITA.
Old 08-04-2006, 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by MrDude_1
the answer in a nutshell is: because theres very little demand for one.
Yep all comes down to money.... It's a business...
-=Rick
Old 08-04-2006, 01:43 PM
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I don't see how it would be difficult. world made a whole new LS1 block and its all aluminum. just take an existing SBC casting and change things around a little to make it an LT1. I wouldnt need an aluminum block, iron is just fine.
it would be cool to have an aftermarket block come out with 4" and 4.125" bores as well as a raised cam block. building a 454 LT1 would KICK ***.

although I think our biggest problem is lack of a good intake that doesn't require alot of $$$ worth of machining to make it work.
Old 08-04-2006, 01:48 PM
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Originally Posted by zigroid
I don't see how it would be difficult. world made a whole new LS1 block and its all aluminum. just take an existing SBC casting and change things around a little to make it an LT1. I wouldnt need an aluminum block, iron is just fine.
it would be cool to have an aftermarket block come out with 4" and 4.125" bores as well as a raised cam block. building a 454 LT1 would KICK ***.

although I think our biggest problem is lack of a good intake that doesn't require alot of $$$ worth of machining to make it work.
"change things around a little"????
theres a BIT more to casting then that... i mean, if you only wanted to make a few, very pricy block, perhaps.. but to make it at the scale needed to make it affordable... thats questionable.
the market for it, is very questionable.

honestly, anyone with the money to do it, would be asking themselves "WHY?" anyway.... because if you have the money, you could build a faster SBC that bolts in place... or a LSx motor. or a BBC... ect...

the LT1 isnt better then the SBC in anyway, once you get into aftermarket parts... and its limited in several ways.. your head choice... unless you mod SBCs to fit.
your intakes.. unless you mod SBC intakes to fit, or run SBC modded heads...
you still have the sucky valve angle and all the other limitations of the SBC...

what is there gained? not much...


im not trying to dis the LT1 motor... im just saying.. theres no market for a aftermarket block.. thats why noone makes one.
Old 08-04-2006, 01:50 PM
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Why? Just Use The Sbc 350 Block With Aftermarket Injection...
Old 08-04-2006, 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by zigroid
I don't see how it would be difficult. world made a whole new LS1 block and its all aluminum. just take an existing SBC casting and change things around a little to make it an LT1. I wouldnt need an aluminum block, iron is just fine.
it would be cool to have an aftermarket block come out with 4" and 4.125" bores as well as a raised cam block. building a 454 LT1 would KICK ***.

although I think our biggest problem is lack of a good intake that doesn't require alot of $$$ worth of machining to make it work.
Hence my earlier post. There is a guy who did the exact same thing. Gotta have some mad weld skills to pull off what he did.



I think you can go up to 454 cubic inches (or was it 460) on this block. I do believe Jeff said he'd make someone a short block for about $10k...

Last edited by buffman; 08-04-2006 at 02:46 PM.
Old 08-04-2006, 02:47 PM
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I would guess the same reason we dont have a aftermarket intake lol.
Old 08-04-2006, 02:48 PM
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That would be sick. The right heads, single plane and H/C
Old 08-04-2006, 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Honda Hunter
That would be sick. The right heads, single plane and H/C

i've only ever seen his car in person once, and he's never really on the ImpalaSsforum.com but he's running a mighty big supercharger on it. I think he was making well over 1000rwhp..
Old 08-04-2006, 02:54 PM
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Not bad at all. I dont think I'm willing to spend 10k on it but then again I'm nowhere near that level. I wonder what type of power could be made N/A. Is it safe to say mid 500rwhp and tons of tq?
Old 08-04-2006, 02:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Honda Hunter
That would be sick. The right heads, single plane and H/C

by right heads, you mean something like 18* or 15* SBC heads modded to fit the LT1.... right? oooh or better yet, SBC2.2 heads... yeea. ive always wanted a engine with a set of them....


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