scrubbin627

No no Im not at all fighting, I love a good debate. Thats what forums are for. Hes right about what hes claiming I just believe dollar for dollar....well you know.

scrubbin627

you better grab that. Thats what Im talking about, youll never find deals like that with LS cars because the motors are worth so much.

quickkris2006

iTrader: (2)

yea tell me about it ive been looking for months.. i found a 02 ta that not 1 body panel was striaght or usable and was rolled like 4 times.. i would have had to use a torch to get the motor out and he still wanted 3k for it.. and yea im ganna give him a deposit on the car and pic it up after thanksgiving.. im driving 7 hours into pa to pick up this car and probably 8 or 9 hrs back because ill be using a tow dolly. and need to be a lil carefull

quickkris2006

iTrader: (2)

looking at cams now on ls1tech and looking on youtube.. mmmmmmmmhhhhhhmmmmm i cant wait.. reading up about the cams, lots of info there! finding the dos and donts, and then looking at prices on comp then in the classifieds on ls1tech.. ill be able to do a complete bolt on build.. for under 2k.. or around there at least.. but thats for later.. i have the lt headers that are jet coated and wraped. and ive had the lt1 intake for a while now that im ganna port while i save up for the air gap.. ahhh i can dream cant i lol let just focus on getting the motor here first kris lol

chevyowner02

iTrader: (3)

Don't waste your money on the air gap.

mightymaro94

well now i gotta know... how do you know? lol

BlueZee28

iTrader: (30)

First hand experience lol

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

The nice thing about an LT1 is you can use 3rd gen engine mounts and exhaust. The details start to get you, like wiring and fuel attach, but that's the case with LS1 as well.

What really hurts with LS1 is exhaust - no matter what, even if you use manifolds, you'll have to spend some money and/or time getting the exhaust hooked up. Similarly, mounts - adaptation required.

But, when you first drive that LS1, all those hassles just fade away...

Sounds like you'd better jump on that '94 for now, though.

Firebat

iTrader: (7)

A/C for a LT1 swap isn't difficult anymore:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...-body-lt1.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...h-gen-ltx.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...r-control.html

quickkris2006

iTrader: (2)

yes i already have im sending him a deposit later this week n will be going to pick it up in the next few weeks..

mightymaro94

well heck i was hoping for a cool story lol

keeslinger31

Problem with that setup is i dont have the old compressor anymore. just the one i got with the lt1 i need to figure out how to connect it to my old evap and drier. and the high pressure sensor. I dont know would this kit work on my lt1 compressor?

1quickirocz

just to touch on the little argument there is a cam only 6.0 LQ4 in a Fox on tech that runs 9s....find me a LT1 that will do that. Just saying....

keeslinger31

Okay.... I also have an ss silverado with basically the same engine (lq9). Do you know how much that engine costs? Just curious, Also how much does a foxbody weigh? Also just curious. Oh and who makes mustangs?? Is that ford? They really do need a chevy engine to go fast Im sure the OP will be happy if he goes lt1 or ls1 as they are both smallblock chevys cant go wrong at all. Unless its a 305. but they can also be fast.

9 seconds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_lS1lujmH0
11 seconds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmZ0-0cqoYA

1quickirocz

Not bashing the LT1 at all. Its a great engine and makes good power. Yes a fox is light. I think he has even more weight out of that specific one. You put a cam only LT1 in that same car and its not going to do that. That was my only point to the other guy who said his LT1 with the same money would blow by an LS1 with the same money. Not going to happen. Again im not bashing any LT1. Its just better technology. To the OP whatever you do with it you will love it. Just to be able to drive your car again after a long time will be the best feeling ever. Its been over a year for me and i cant wait to get it done. Good luck with it and thanks for protecting our country!!!

keeslinger31

No hard feelings i am just a very proud lt1 owner and hell no a cam only lt1 wont do that but great deals can be had and im a bang for the buck guy as well as a chevy guy. For a reason lol

1quickirocz

Im very cheap!! Why else would a 5.3 swap take me over a year and i got the engine for FREE.........I refuse to buy new parts haha. The trans and rear came from my friends SS so i got those cheap too. I was actually going to do a LT1 4L60E swap before he started selling stuff off his car. For the fact that i could get the whole swap for about 2 or 300 bucks with 100k miles off craigslist......cant beat that .Damn maybe i should have done that LOL! No turning back now.

scrubbin627

Theres no disagreement on my end about which motor is better, the LS1 is clearly the better motor. Were debating bang for your buck hp and mod for mod, dollar for dollar I believe there is no comparison.

If the op wants the better more expensive motor and is willing to take on the added cost and labor to get it done the by all means do it! I didnt mean to spark a ls vs lt debate, I was just putting in my .02.

scrubbin627

Ok, go build your $3000 LS1 swap and give me a holler bro.

keeslinger31

I agree Ive got about Nothing in my lt1 swap because i made money on it Lol Between selling the engine and trans in my car and parting out the car i swapped from i had cash in my pocket to mod my car so i can still spend 3000 plus what i made and i WILL beat any 3000 dollar ls1.

1quickirocz

No debate dude. Its all about what you want or what your into.i was jst saying that yes a LS1 or Lq4 or whatever LS, is more than a LT1 BUT the buck for buck thing i disagree with. A cam only LS1 or LQ4 will more than likely run faster than a cam AND heads LT1. So by the time you get the cheaper LT1 and put aftermarket heads on it with a cam you will probobly have more money than the guy with a cam only LQ4 and still get beat. Keep in mind a LQ4 can be had for about 1k to 1500 bucks ( around here anyways) and put another 300 or so in a cam. Pickup a LT1 for 500 bucks slap a set of $1500-2000 heads on it with a cam say $250....now you have spent all that money and what is a cam heads LT1 good for in a Fbody....11s? Now I am talking about a iron block 6.0 engine but yes an actual LS1 engine is much more expensive (in most cases) than even a LQ4. Again not downing a LT1 im sure it will be a great swap in your car OP.

1quickirocz

I dont have 3k in my ENTIRE swap....engine, trans, rear , and everything involved....no where near 3k.

congrats dude you have a "fully built" (honda terms) LT1 in a car that is stripped down to the bare shell practically(no interior and god knows what else cut out) and your going to talk **** to me with a 3800 lb car with a baby 5.3 liter with just a cam????? you should be proud of yourself...what do you run 10s???

keeslinger31

I will race you right now I may lose but i just love haulin a$$ in my car, It just a good time.

1quickirocz

Haha.....Very nice car by the way.looks like its done real clean. props dude!

scrubbin627

Im sorry you must have took that comment wrong, I didnt mean to come off like I was talking ****. Ill race anybody.

Your car is definitly faster right now. My NEW motor isnt even in the car yet so I would have to race you in my stock DD.

1quickirocz

yea thats kinda what it came across as but anyways im going to start acting my age now and turn this thread back over to the OP haha......sorry dude for clogging your thread with crap. that was fun anyways haha. By the way scrubbin627 nice car and setup. i bet that thing does haul a$$.

when its done that is......sorry didnt see the bottom of your last post

scrubbin627

thanks, it was running 8.30's in the 1/8th before I grenaded the stock motor hoping to see high 6's with this one. It would be even faster in a 3rd gen

Shadow Z

iTrader: (2)

LS1 or SBC.

/end thread

Had to say it.

Z28FAST1

So you want to race with an LT1 engine powered by dreams and aspirations?

I'm currently building a "Masterpiece TPI motor" for about $2,000. It isn't in my car yet but I will race and smoke his LT1 even if he is on nitrous....

keeslinger31

Natural Aspirations....

scrubbin627

Dreams and asperations? Its no secret what a 230/244 high compression LT1 with good heads puts down. Im using a combo thats been done atleast 1,000,000 other times. I used my motor as an example because I have about $3k in it. If you read the whole thread you would have already seen my response to a similar comment. Its my opinion and I stand behind it.

scrubbin627

Get that thing in and grab a lane

OP sorry about all the responses to others who disagree. Ive been beating the crap out of LT1's for a long time and am just stating my opinion's.

quickkris2006

iTrader: (2)

no problem guys i talk alotta {mod edit} to, but ive never drivin a stock lt1 or built lt1 so i really dont know what to expect so untill then my mouth is sealed lol but i will take on any challangers when its done weither i win or lose its just for the fun of the race..

Z28FAST1

Not starting a war, I know LT1's cam be made considerably fast, I wanted one in my thirdgen back in the early 2000's before I could afford an LS1. Just questioning how a $3k LT1 build will beat a built LS1?

What does your $3k build consist off? New block, heads, pistons etcs? I just don't see a $3k build putting down more than 420rwhp specially since good flowing heads will run you about $2k.

7.9's? Bolt-on 4th gen LS1's run 7.6's around here(stock long blocks), nothing too impressive. Cam only LS1's have gotten into 6.9's without being "fully built."

Opinions are ok but how will your build do against BlueZee's build?


OP, I went through several SBC builds and I wish I would have went LS in the first place. It all depends on the deals you can find and how much money you have to invest. Good luck and post some pics of the build.

scrubbin627

Your about right on my rwhp. Honestly my build had alot more room for a more exotic top end if it was going to be strictly NA, I spent a good portion on parts and machine work so my bottom end so it would stand up to nitrous later. I dont have anywere close to $2000 in my heads and if I did it would be more like 450+ rwhp. $3k includes buying the block, crank, rods, pistons, porting stock heads, balancing and machine work, etc... I also saved myself alot because I assembled everything.

Im not trying to start a war either Im just a die hard LT1 fan. I just get tired of hearing the same old "LS1's are faster and better no matter what the circumstance", that just false IMO especially when your talking money. I know LS motors make more power with less mods, they cost alot more to.

scrubbin627

I have no idea what BlueZee's car runs, I know its very nice and probably not built to be a race car like mine.

BlueZee28

iTrader: (30)

I made a build thread, but my engine setup is not exactly "built" per se. Sure it has forged pistons and rods and a big cam, but the heads, intake, and tb are all stock GM parts. I'd say it's about halfway built. You really can't call a cam only setup "built". With that being said, you're correct. My intentions were not to have a race car, although it sounds like a race car when you get in it and start it. LoL... It's a nimble, very quick little street car that on occasion will see track time (other than the one time I took it to the track and snapped an axle lol). I'll be satisfied once I hit the 525rwhp mark which I hope to do after a new heads/intake/TB combo and a small hit of spray or a hairdryer.

Firebat

iTrader: (7)

It is intended for a LTX/LSX style compressor, thirdgen condensor, and thirdgen evaporator. It would work.

keeslinger31

PM sent Sorry to Hijack.

Z28FAST1

Doing the work definitely helps, I wish I had a machine shop to punch out a nice LSx into some big cubes. LSx is not better under all the circumstances I'll agree with you on that.

My first dream build was a 383 LT4 with the sexy red LT4 intake but then my pops bought a brand new C5 Z06 that put everything on the streets to shame(at the time).

Draon

so think i might have lucked out, after months of being on this island (hawaii), finally found a good doner camaro. a 94 with all the parts. now it doesn't run (or so the guy says), but i'm a little boggled. he says it doesn't run because something is wrong with the engine. i'm geting the car for $850,and it comes with the t-5 (installed) and the cars original 4l60e. thats what gots me boggled, and thinking that it might not be the engine parsay but the t-5 not being able to handle the engine. correct me if i'm wrong on that though. in any case if it dose turn out to be the engine i found one for $400 in running condition. seeing if any of you other gear heads can help me out with the hole t-5/lt1 thing. and also any handy links to help do this. i was going to do the ls1 swap so constantly searched for that, and this just happened to fall in my lap.

Thridgen60

iTrader: (2)

If it was my car i would just pick up a cheap 5.3 and a cheap t56 and call it a day. There isnt a good reason to buy an actual ls1 unless you feel the need to point at your block all the time an say "its aluminum." 5.3's with the truck intake, harness and computer go all day long for 500-700. Just my 2 cents

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Except the 5.3 intake won't fit under a stock hood, the 5.3 exhaust manifolds won't fit between the frame rails, the 5.3 accessories (alternator) won't fit under a stock 3rd gen hood, the 5.3 water pump outlet will hit a passenger car intake manifold, and the 5.3 oil pan will stick way below the K-member. You'll still need swap mounts, I don't recall ever seeing a "cheap" T56, and the truck computer will need to be reprogrammed.

I'm not saying don't do a 5.3, I'm just saying be realistic - the $500-700 5.3 is going to cost you another $500+ to "accessorize". Even then all you'll have is an engine. Still need mounts, transmission, computer programming, exhaust modification, etc.

89' RS/blue

Ok, just to put this out there for all you ppl. A Vortec 5.3L sbc is NOT a LS1! Most 5.3L vortec V8's installed were the baseline LM7, w/ a Iron block/alum. heads. It barely has anything going for it over a LT1. Same power, but cost a LOT more! The only thing some vortec 5.3's have going for them is less weight from the aluminum block depending on if you have the better model. Its a damn near bottom of the line base model truck V8...Not even close to worth the extra $$$$ you spend on it over a LT1 imo!! I'm not impressed w/ the 5.3L vortec V8s at all....just get a LS1/LS6 for the same $$$....

Thridgen60

iTrader: (2)

Lol.......Quit talking. LT1 is old technology and nobody said that the 5.3L was some miricle motor made of power. But if you swap in a 5.3 then its super easy to swap it out with a bigger built LS motor later. Where if you do an LT1 swap and you want ton of power later, well to bad cus your car is now set up for an LT1. Its just not worth the money anymore to heavily modify an LT1 because of the LS series motors.

BTW just about everyone knows that a 5.3L is not an LS1 but most people just refer to all gen 3 motors as LS1s. Its like calling any permenent marker a sharpie because sharpie is the most popular one.

89' RS/blue

Here's more to support my arguement:

"Except the 5.3 intake won't fit under a stock hood, the 5.3 exhaust manifolds won't fit between the frame rails, the 5.3 accessories (alternator) won't fit under a stock 3rd gen hood, the 5.3 water pump outlet will hit a passenger car intake manifold, and the 5.3 oil pan will stick way below the K-member. You'll still need swap mounts, I don't recall ever seeing a "cheap" T56, and the truck computer will need to be reprogrammed."

"I'm not saying don't do a 5.3, I'm just saying be realistic - the $500-700 5.3 is going to cost you another $500+ to "accessorize". Even then all you'll have is an engine. Still need mounts, transmission, computer programming, exhaust modification, etc."

Firebat

iTrader: (7)

My answer to the original question is this - pick one or the other. Don't do one engine swap and then do another engine swap down the road. The power steering, fuel, wiring, exhaust, coolant systems are all going to require different parts for each swap. I've done my swap and had to do a lot of research, figuring out, and customizing just to get everything kind of set up the way I want it, even down to something as simple as all the hose clamps facing a direction that I can easily get a screwdriver positioned to loosen them. I've thought about going to LSx and to go through all those engine swap headaches again is hard for me to justify. Depends on the car's use though.

Maybe another way to look at it would be to think of the time and money it takes to get one of the engine setups swapped in. Then to do another engine swap versus just modifying the setup you already have.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Dont know where you get that from. Both are worth about the same from a JY, $3-500. LSx is a more efficient platform plain and simple. Newer tech, newer materials, newer everything. Plus, they're tough as nails. Ever heard of a LT1 lasting a week on 0 oil pressure? A bone stock LT1 surviving 15psi of boost for several racing seasons? They're LSx family so any upgrade that would benefit a LS1 will work on a 5.3. Being smaller displacement and super common are not a hindrance

Thridgen60

iTrader: (2)

He came out of no where with that one. An LSX is just as pocket said "more efficient platform plain and simple." There is no getting around it. I would say if you want an ls1 just do it the first time.

oh and 89' RS/blue that post of yours that probably got deleted was REAL CLASSY!!!!!

scrubbin627

Since when does old technology mean it cant make power? Theres people running in the 8s putting down 800+ hp with the factory LT1 block, is any of us really going to go that fast in our swapped 3rd gens? No. So why does it matter if its old? Other than wiring and fuel the LT1 drops right in a 3rd gen using same mounts,exhaust, trans, etc. The LS series is the swap that takes more work, yes its a better motor but the cost for purchasing/modding the swap and getting it in the car is no comparison.