3rd Gen / L98 Engine Tech 1982 - 1992 Engine Related

Any one place a lt1 cam in a early flat tappet block.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 29, 2003 | 02:11 PM
  #1  
jbbiggs's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 190
From: Hickory NC
Any one place a lt1 cam in a early flat tappet block.

I know it's a flat tappet block, but i read somewhere you can tap and bolt the retainer (spider) in there, here an auction that explains a littleRETRO ROLLER
I have the cam lifters pushrods and retainer laying around.
Let me know what you think
Old Sep 30, 2003 | 09:59 AM
  #2  
Damon's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 1,147
From: Phila., PA
That's been floating around recently. Long story short- sorta. I think the conversion requires the use of roller lifters from a different motor becuase they're shorter. You can't drill and tap into an earlier block (86-down) and make it work just like a later 87-up roller block or LT-1 block. The 87-up and LT-1 blocks have little "towers" in the lifter valley that the lifter spider sits on top of and gets screwed into. Earlier blocks have no such towers and so the spider will sit significantly further into the block if you just drill and tap- requiring the different lifters. Plus, what you'd be drilling and tapping into in an earlier block would be just above the main oil galley- which would make me plenty squeemish about doing this by itself.
Old Sep 30, 2003 | 10:21 AM
  #3  
Jim85IROC's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 825
From: Stamford, VT
You need to use an aftermarket conversion kit, and they aren't cheap. They use special paired lifters, unique length rocker arms, plus you need a new timing chain & gear set. I haven't seen these kits under $500. I sure as hell wouldn't waste my money on one just to put an LT1 cam in. That cam is so mild that you can do much better with a conventional flat tappet grind for a ton less money. hell, the 85 L98/LB9 cam is almost the same as the LT1 cam, except that I think the LT1 cam has a wider lobe separation angle.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DirtyDaveW
Forced Induction
13
Dec 1, 2016 05:37 PM
dbusch22
Forced Induction
6
Oct 31, 2016 11:09 AM
oldschool
Parts For Sale
16
Feb 9, 2016 09:21 PM
InfernalVortex
LT1 Based Engine Tech
3
Jan 17, 2015 09:35 AM
chevroletfreak
LT1 Based Engine Tech
202
Jul 4, 2005 05:00 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:40 AM.