I keep seeing references to having an LT1. All I know is that it's a Chevy small-block. What is it? Is it a 350? What's so special about it? What cars did it come in? (I don't know squat about late-model cars, and I consider everything newer than 1985 to be late model, so I am totally out of the loop on this one!) Any/all info would be appreciated.
the LT1 is a 2nd gen SBC, came in 350 CID, avalible in 93-97 Vettes, Camaros, Firebirds, and 94-96 Caprice, Impala SS, Fleetwood, and Roadmasters. Depending on year and model, it was rated from 220-300 HP, and had either iron or aluminum heads. It has reverse flow cooling so the heads get cooled first, and because of this, it had relitivly high compression, but still uses cheap gas. It can be converted to a carbed and distributered motor with an intake swap. It also uses a gear driven water pump, so even if you throw a belt, you dont need to worry about overheating. I've got one in my '94 ex-cop Caprice, and I absolutly love it. 240 HP, 340 TQ, runs on 87 octane, and I average 25-28 MPG highway in my 4400 LB car. There's also an LT-1 that came in the early 70's Z28s which is a standard SBC, but very performance oriented. I don't know much about those.
To even expand on the idea, GM also used a crank driven front engine mounted distributer called an Opti-Spark. It works well and typically is good into the 100,000 mile mark. The problem is its like $300 plus to replace it and changing the cap and rotor is also expensive not to mention it's also a pain in the rear since you have to pull the water pump. Because of its placement by the water pump its also popular for it to get wet and destroyed when you have a leak in your water pump. Other then that their sweet. May people have torn them down with 175k miles on them and found the cylinders to still have the factory cross hatching. Not traditional if that is your thing. Also the heads limit your intake choices.
Done that swap 6 times over the years and finally got rid of the Z28, fuck GM and who ever invented the optispark, who figured putting it under the waterpump should get kicked in the mouth, hard. Awesome power, poor design. Gabe
I always thought the LT1 was the 350 cid 350 hp. Had one in a '70 Nova SS with Muncie M22 and 12 bolt posi. Best muscle car I ever owned. Fast as hell and a real blast to drive.
Ifn' ya know how....which I do.....you can get some serious power out of those things. I'd like one to replce the anemic TBI 305 in my Caprice. I can say 11 second station wagon. Can anyone else?
LT-1 (with dash) is the early 1970 version, high compression, muscle car engine. LT1 (no dash) is the late model fuel injected version that most of the descriptions people have already made.
I would like to know about the early LT-1.. I have one sitting and it suppose to be a crate motor from 70 1/2.. All I think of him saying was it's got pink rods, 11 to 1, forged crank and some jag stold the dizzy from the shop . He was proud of the motor and it's a shame he didn't get to use it before he passes away.. And too bad I'm a ford guy
Lots of info here. My intake is 3972116 which they list as a replacement. I believe my motor is a crate motor also. the block has XCD code.
I just did a rad swap, water pump and cap/rotor/wire change on my kid's 96 Firebird ,got parts from Napa i think under 600$the rad was over 250 (Alum)Im not big on electronics, but I'de love to have that mill/w/ a 6 speed in my rod runs like a bear. The PITA was removing crank pulley to get to the rotor/and cap, here's a site that shows you how to do a distr tuneup. www.fierolt1.com/technical_documents_main one last thing there is a T 5 or smaller bit that you need we borrowed one from a mech at a Gm dealer or you have to buy one from snap on
600$ sounds a bout right, but i can prolly help you guys out for less. I work at napa so if anyone interested is in WI (or north il) i can get ahold of these parts if you desire, for less than you would pay outright for them.
You can get cap and rotor kits for Opti-sparks from Summit for about $120. And you not only have to pull the water pump, but also the emissions pump and the harmonic balancer. Pain in the Ass! Bugman is right though...I've got one of these in a '95 Fleetwood Brougham...big caddy does nice big smokie burners! And gets about 26 mpg!
In 1970 The Chevelle SS came with the 396 Big Block at 375 horse but Chevy effectivly detuned it with the HP eating 400 turbo and 3.31 rear end. Smarter guys went with the Camaro or Nova and the LT-1 with Muncie or turbo 350 if you had to have an automatic. A few less HP, but it was in a lighter car and you could get 4.11 or 4.56 gears with posi and the standard/lighter interior. The LT-1 in the vette was rated at 5 more HP than the Camaro because the Camaro needed a shorter intake for hood clearance. Other than that, it was the same engine.
Try www.impalaclub.com or www.impalaSSforum.com . They are rabid about the 94-96 Impalas. Just about any Q & A has been addressed there.
the M.S.D. coil change has gotta be the best upgrade to that system I have ever seen. what good will a coil do,Right? put one on my buddies 9c1 (thats cop car for you non special code guys)(yep,I'm a dork) and it went from "pretty darn quick" to "HOLY $#!T BATMAN,THE REAR END IS COMIN' AROUND!!!!" no kidding. best 100 bucks of someone elses I ever spent.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say I love my Opti-spark. While many people lambast it, it does often last 100K before requiring any service what so ever. It also cheans up the top of the motor. It's expecially helpful in F and Y body cars. Can you imagine trying to get to a standard HEI cap and rotor in a late Camaro? Also to change the thing, you don't need to pull the whole damper off. You can unbolt the damper from the hub and leave the hub where it is. You'll still probably need to whack it with a hammer because the balancer and the hub rust togteher.
The Jalopy Journal
