Got a ton of question concerning an LS1 for a project car

OK I have been building cars for 19 years, but in all that time I have never worked with an LS1. Now that they have been around for 6-7 years they can be had for a good price, I am thinking about taking my leap into the LS1 world. So here is where the questions start.
I am considdering an LS1 with a 460LE auto tranny swap into a 1987 Monte SS. Naturally I'll need the harness and ECU as well. Anyone ever attemt anything like this? What should I look out for and pay special attention to?
Did the LS1 and LS6 motors have the same heads? I know the LS6 has a different intake manifold, are there any other differences?
The LT1 is known for Optispark and intake gasket nightmares, are there any such problems on the LS1 motors? Besides the ring/oil consumption issue as I am installing gapless rings reguradless.
I am familiar with TPIS and am impressed with their LS1 available parts, and I don't really care for SLP's attitude problem, besides these two are their any other good LS1 aftermarket companies worth checking out?
What is a 460LE trannie capable of handling HP and Torque wise? Besides shift kits are their any available tranny upgrades for reliabilty?
Does anyone know a shop that could supply me with a header that would work for such a swap?
That is a good start, thanks guys, theres plenty more questions but will get to them later, thats enough badgering you guys to start. Thanks guys.

Originally posted by stubbs
OK I have been building cars for 19 years, but in all that time I have never worked with an LS1. Now that they have been around for 6-7 years they can be had for a good price, I am thinking about taking my leap into the LS1 world. So here is where the questions start.
I am considdering an LS1 with a 460LE auto tranny swap into a 1987 Monte SS. Naturally I'll need the harness and ECU as well. Anyone ever attemt anything like this? What should I look out for and pay special attention to?
Did the LS1 and LS6 motors have the same heads? I know the LS6 has a different intake manifold, are there any other differences?
The LT1 is known for Optispark and intake gasket nightmares, are there any such problems on the LS1 motors? Besides the ring/oil consumption issue as I am installing gapless rings reguradless.
I am familiar with TPIS and am impressed with their LS1 available parts, and I don't really care for SLP's attitude problem, besides these two are their any other good LS1 aftermarket companies worth checking out?
What is a 460LE trannie capable of handling HP and Torque wise? Besides shift kits are their any available tranny upgrades for reliabilty?
Does anyone know a shop that could supply me with a header that would work for such a swap?
That is a good start, thanks guys, theres plenty more questions but will get to them later, thats enough badgering you guys to start. Thanks guys.

You should go to Montecarloss.com and look for a moderator called john B, he has done this swap. I believe he is working on an LS6 swap right now.

As for LS1 Problems, i havent had ne with the motor. It will consume some oil though. The motor is an aluminum block, with sleved cylinders. So no boreing is necessary to make power. An LS6 is just a cam and head as well as intake upgrade. Its bascially an ls1 but the block has better crank ventelation. There are many ls1 aftermarket parts providers just look at the advertisements on this page.:)

www.ls1speed.com

They have auto trannies you can look at. They are beefed up 4L60E's. They also have a few choices on headers, but I dont know how that would work with the engine in a Monte.

Good luck with your project.