thinking about ditching the lt1
i'd ditch the lt1 and go with a stout carb'd small block, just do what ever it takes to buy more HP/$!!! If your building a race car, then build a race car with a race car motor! LT1 and LS1 motors are great, run hard, and can do some serious damage at the track, but when you finally cross the line between a street car thats really f'n fast to a RACE car, you'll then realize you've not been in a fast car yet!!! lol
It took one pass in a 5.20 1/8 mile for me to realize it'll always be a street car!!! lol
It took one pass in a 5.20 1/8 mile for me to realize it'll always be a street car!!! lol
I've honestly though about the same thing. Once you take it to a certain point your fighting a loosing battle. Head options are low, intake options are low( unless you spend the extra money on having them both converted), opti sucks, no block options, but reverse cooling is nice. I've basically running a reverse cooled sbc right now with all Ive done to my lt1 but still have limitations of a good bolt on head(without converting) and have no block options(which is my main concern on my next project). Also the fact that I have some brodix -12 heads sitting in my shop is influencing my decision. Unless some devision opens up for lt1 based racing(or late model efi/gm) my next project will be a turbo SBC instead of a turbo LTx.
For the last two years I have been working with Mark Beaver on his 1998 B/FIA Camaro (My old car). When I was still running it my best was a 10.50 in good air. At the Rockingham Finals it ran 10.45 in 1200+ ft air at approx. 3250 lbs (In "bracket" mode). We hold both the quarter and eighth mile IHRA B/FIA National Records. The car has also received an IHRA "Best Engineered" award.
I own two 1998 Firebird Stock Eliminator cars. Both will be active next year.
I own two 1998 Firebird Stock Eliminator cars. Both will be active next year.
Stock is not an easy class to run, but it is very rewarding to get the most out of what the factory built.
My last time slip in the Camaro (Oct 2005)
Dial...10.51
60'...1.355
330...4.188
1/8...6.614
MPH...101.03
1000...8.720
1/4...10.510
MPH...122.36
What are your goals for the car? wow, going back to a carb is a few steps backwards for a daily driver. I did the whole drag car thing in the 90's with a big block 67 camaro (empty crate) that rans 9s, drank alot of gas and liked to break parts. I just now got back into the car hobby due to these new cars going fast with so many stock parts and depending on your goals could actually be still street driven. I have had my current 95 camaro for three years the motor has never been out of the car, its current set up runs consistent 11.9s gets 20 mpg has ac, full interior and so on. no special/elusive parts or set up- 503 shelf cam, hand ported heads (car picked up 2 tenths) daylight under the left front tire, shifted at 6400 and over a hundred passes on the car.
TECH Addict
iTrader: (6)
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 0
From: Schiller Park (NW burb of Chicago)
i've thought about this many many times over the past couple of weeks, i was going to go LSx style, but to me, even with a cam and true duals doesn't sound that great...i like the sound of my LT1 with a cutout (not even longtubes) and I can't wait to cam it...
Dart just came out with some very nice LT1 castings. Those gutted and a nice solid roller would net you a very nice running car. You've already got the drivetrain built, just go to the next step and have some fun.
-Dustin-
-Dustin-
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0
Brett Foote
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever
Verdad Gallardo
She deserves to ditch e T5 anyways. 
TECH Junkie
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,265
Likes: 1
From: CHITOWN
And why would you build a car for sound? Wtf can of reasoning is that
GNs sound kinda raspy n shitty but go like hell, so who cares
TECH Junkie
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,265
Likes: 1
From: CHITOWN
Why the hell would you go with a 4L60 if your car is going to be on a trailor and its going to be a race car? That seems like wasted money, you could have just done a TH swap?
ill explain more then. When this trans goes out then ill do a TH swap. I kinda wish i did it in the first place but when i had it built i wanted a street car with a OD. So with that being said, since i already have a kickass trans set up already i might as well use it and run it into the ground for the next couple years then do a TH swap. Also meaning i dont have the extra money to spend on another trans when i already have a good one. Follow me?
TECH Junkie
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,265
Likes: 1
From: CHITOWN
ill explain more then. When this trans goes out then ill do a TH swap. I kinda wish i did it in the first place but when i had it built i wanted a street car with a OD. So with that being said, since i already have a kickass trans set up already i might as well use it and run it into the ground for the next couple years then do a TH swap. Also meaning i dont have the extra money to spend on another trans when i already have a good one. Follow me?
Let me know if you want to sell anything, im doing my LT1 transam like you are doing with you car..
My camaro was pretty much how your car is expect being cammed
Fullbolton LS1 with a gear, and 3,000 pounds made for a fun car
People dont know how fast they get when they take all that weight out, I just wish that my car had wipers, heat, and a radio and then I would be happy. But ill kept that in this car, just front speakers, and the head unit
going to a Std SBC.. is not that much of a diff. compared to the ltx... It's all in the top end.. you can get a nice set of SBC heads converted really cheaply.. So it's def. a viable option.. If u wanna go larger than 396 reliably.. might as well do a dart block and go for broke..
