Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific Mouse & Rat Motor Discussion & Conversions

LT1 heads on old small block

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 16, 2009 | 10:16 PM
  #1  
jh_shady01's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Default LT1 heads on old small block

what needs to be done to make these work with a carb and old fashion small block?
Old Sep 16, 2009 | 10:25 PM
  #2  
ZONES89RS's Avatar
In-Zane Moderator
15 Year Member
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,941
Likes: 33
From: Conroe, Texas
Default

More than it would be to get a set of heads that are meant for the small block.
Old Sep 18, 2009 | 05:48 PM
  #3  
ulakovic22's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 956
Likes: 1
From: Lantana, TX
Default

Too much work. LTx heads are reverse flow which would have to be fixed ($200+) and the only carb intake that bolts up to LTx heads is the GMPP dual plane intake unless you want to pay for a single plane to be coverted ($250). You would be better off getting a set of cheap aftermarket heads or something used.
Old Sep 18, 2009 | 08:04 PM
  #4  
slick1851's Avatar
TECH Junkie
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,265
Likes: 1
From: CHITOWN
Default

you do understand lt1 guys convert to sbc topends.
Old Sep 19, 2009 | 01:24 AM
  #5  
ZONES89RS's Avatar
In-Zane Moderator
15 Year Member
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,941
Likes: 33
From: Conroe, Texas
Default

Yep, for a reason.
Old Sep 21, 2009 | 11:42 PM
  #6  
93Z2871805's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
Veteran: Air Force
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 50
Default

The vortec iron heads are very similar. Professional products also makes a great set of heads for under $400 and the hurricane intake.
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 11:51 AM
  #7  
ZONES89RS's Avatar
In-Zane Moderator
15 Year Member
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,941
Likes: 33
From: Conroe, Texas
Default

Are you talking about the pro comp heads? Junk.
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 12:17 PM
  #8  
ulakovic22's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 956
Likes: 1
From: Lantana, TX
Default

Originally Posted by slick1851
you do understand lt1 guys convert to sbc topends.
I think that is because some guys don't want to shell out the money for the larger heads out there for the LTx.
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

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

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 12:30 PM
  #9  
ZONES89RS's Avatar
In-Zane Moderator
15 Year Member
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,941
Likes: 33
From: Conroe, Texas
Default

For some, but the tons of aftermarket for the SBC shadows the LTx market my 50 fold.
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 03:15 PM
  #10  
ulakovic22's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 956
Likes: 1
From: Lantana, TX
Default

Definitely, I don't disagree. I just think people move to SBC because they see a cheap price tag but don't include conversion costs or time/effort to make it work.
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 03:25 PM
  #11  
NemeSS's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (127)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,889
Likes: 9
From: Houston,TX
Default

most of the real sbc stuff is killer compared to any ltx crap.
it makes more sense to stick to conventional sbc topend, the jr. intake for starters will anihilate any chopped up ltx manifold.
and the dist. will never have any issues like the opti. etc. etc.
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 04:49 PM
  #12  
ulakovic22's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 956
Likes: 1
From: Lantana, TX
Default

I don't agree with most of what you said. Both heads are 23* and the only difference is the reverse cooling. Unless you are talking about 15* or 18* stuff the LTx heads hold their own just fine. AFR's, Dart's, TFS, etc all make nice LTx castings that perform just as well. It's been proven that single plane conversions don't net any real gains over the LTx manifold in any useable RPM range. I think that there were gains above 6500, but most people don't spend a lot of their time up there anyway. The dist. setup is better than the opti, it's more reliable at high RPM and with voltage going through it, but the opti is WAY more accurate than a std dist. and can be made to work really well esp if you pull the high side out of it.
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 06:42 PM
  #13  
NemeSS's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (127)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,889
Likes: 9
From: Houston,TX
Default

Originally Posted by ulakovic22
I don't agree with most of what you said. Both heads are 23* and the only difference is the reverse cooling. Unless you are talking about 15* or 18* stuff the LTx heads hold their own just fine. AFR's, Dart's, TFS, etc all make nice LTx castings that perform just as well. It's been proven that single plane conversions don't net any real gains over the LTx manifold in any useable RPM range. I think that there were gains above 6500, but most people don't spend a lot of their time up there anyway. The dist. setup is better than the opti, it's more reliable at high RPM and with voltage going through it, but the opti is WAY more accurate than a std dist. and can be made to work really well esp if you pull the high side out of it.

be that as it may, op is concerned with using lt1 heads on a sbc, i doubt he means any hi price tag parts. assuming stock castings.
unless he got em for free and has access to a machine shop and has the skill to weld and fabricate. dont see the reason to fit them to his sbc.

i for one had no problem driving around with 260cfm sbc heads and vic jr. with a 750 demon on the street or the hiway.
all that single plane bottom end, top end bs is a myth and magazine propaganda.
scr and dcr and camshaft valve events are what make up throttle response. and acceleration.along wih correctly matched drivetrain components
i turn 6500-7k race day and with pump. ignition calbration with timing light. no misfires or breaking up.
Old Sep 23, 2009 | 09:14 AM
  #14  
ulakovic22's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 956
Likes: 1
From: Lantana, TX
Default

We are on two different pages obviously. I already said it was too much work and not worth it in post #3. Everything after was based on someone saying that LTx people are switching from LTx heads to SBC heads because SBC is so much better, which is what I don't agree with.
Old Sep 23, 2009 | 06:23 PM
  #15  
ZONES89RS's Avatar
In-Zane Moderator
15 Year Member
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,941
Likes: 33
From: Conroe, Texas
Default

Well, there are SBC heads that are way better than any LTx head out there, but the aftermarket made it that way. 50+ years of the SBC and counting VS 6 years of the flunky LTx.
Old Sep 24, 2009 | 09:33 PM
  #16  
slow95z's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (33)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
From: Dublin Ga
Default

the only real advantage of the lt1 is the intake system over a gen1 sbc. the heads are not any better on the lt1 is why people swap to sbc heads and convert them to work on the lt1s. you can buy and convert a better flowing set of heads than you can buy lesser flowing heads made for a ltx style engine.
Old Sep 27, 2009 | 06:17 PM
  #17  
wheeliE-maxx's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Kemah, tx
Default

Just swap to Vortecs. Basically the same port (maybe even better) and on your typical originally 8.5:1 compression small block they will make about 10:1 with a thin head gasket. Perfect with premium fuel and a mild cam even though they are iron. The combustion chamber design helps with detonation.
Old Sep 27, 2009 | 07:36 PM
  #18  
Beaflag VonRathburg's Avatar
OWN3D BY MY PROF!
iTrader: (176)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 9,146
Likes: 3
From: Jax Beach, Florida
Default

To answer the original question:
http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/tp...eads-gen1.html
http://www.fawkit.org/kc104/stroker/ (Pictures)




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:32 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
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.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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