First off thanks for helping me. Ok lets start with the questions.

I want to swap out my old 3rd gen engine for something a bit more robust and reliable but dont want a sell my first born to get. I was thinkin LT1

Next, some time down the road I want to turbo this thing. I know its not cheap but its what i want lol. From what i heard for turboing its best to have a LS1. But then again i heard the stock LT1 block was stronger that the LS1 block.

To sum it all up i just want a street/strip car that i know will start every morning when i go out into the garage(just like everyone else eh?) I just wanted to know what is a good and reliable platform to start on that wont leave me completly broke, near broke is ok tho!

Any thoughts, questions, or comments on what to do would be great. Also on what type/brand of turbo would be nice to!

 

I'm not a huge LT1 fan after the headache of owning a 95 Z28,

if you are going to do an LT1 swap, I'd spend the money on an MPFI build up of an L98,

LS1 swap is cool, but expensive, I did reseach it alot and am doing a write up on it on another forum I'm usually on,
how ever its not cheap, you'll have to do something about your front suspention and a coil over is the only real non hack option, cause the front end of your car will raise 1 to 2 inches, also requires reprograming of the LS1 ecm, deleting after cat O2's fuel tank pressure sensor, VATS etc.

I crunched all the numbers and to do it right you'll be into for alot and still be sitting on a used motor,

I have decided to just build a mild(400hp) 383 with a Stealth ram, or just go with a ZZ383, cost less then an LS1 swap, more power and you'll have a fresh motor

LS1 swap is cool and a friend of mine is in the middle of 1, but hes got more money then he knows what to do with, just wants an LS1 so he can say its an LS1

 

Just know that an LS1 will not just "drop in". You are going to have to get custom motor mounts and I think a new K-Member...not sure on that, but I think I've heard it somewhere.

You can turbo an LT1, you don't necessarily NEED an LS1 to turbo it...just don't crank the boost to 40psi, thats all.

 

they make a tubular k-member that makes the LS1 a drop in,
you canbuy LS1 motor mounts for a 3ed gen, but if you go that route you have to ditch the A/C, or modify your factory k-member,
also requires a special trans crossmember, a speedo interface, a tach interface, a custom wiring harness, which is avalible for 3rd gens

 

I agree with this guy 100%, an LT1 swap is kind of pointless since there is no power advantage over a SBC, in fact a SBC has more potential when it comes to cubic inches, heads, intakes, etc. So rather than an LT1 swap I'd say do a SBC build up. When it comes to an LS1 swap I agree as well, if you have the money and the know how, then do it.

 

with the lt1 its a good swap if your not going to go crazy and all u want is in the 350 hp range, you can do that with a stock lt1 and boltons... you could also go with the hotcam kit and still be good... but as soon as you start porting/ buying new heads and stuff you might as well go with the normal sbc... the reason for swaping a lt1 is to keep the heads intake because they are pretty good stock.... also dont forget that most lt1, ls1 combos some with a transmission... that can be a hidden cost if you forget about it,,,

 

I agree stay with the L98 if youve got it - the blocks are cheap and a simple drop in for the car. They are an iron block and have a vast aftermarket as well as the RHS redesigned vortec heads that will free up alot of horsepower, run the LT4 hot cam and a mild supercharger and you wouldnt want more power. But after that it will be neccesary to beef up that 700R4. I loved both of my L98 cars and would never go LT1 or LS1 there just arent enough obvious advantages that make up for the amount of money the conversion would cost.

 

Main pro is fuel economy vs power in favor of the LS1. A lot of friends of mine have 350-450+ rwhp LS1's and they get awesome gas milage, upto 26mpg on the highway.
i've got a lowly 195hp 305 and I get barely 18mpg.

Main cons of the LT/LS swaps are money and time, but they are worth it in the long run.

 

Well, I don't know for sure but I assume the LS1 block is stronger too. It is aluminum but they are tough. Ls1s can stand a little more hp in stock form. In the end however, there is little advantage of one over the other(assuming you are maxing each's capability out).

I did the LT1 swap and am extremely happy. I have 530+ hp and get 26mpg on the highway no problem. I also haven't spent a lot of money on it.

If I had to do it again today, I would consider the LS1. You will spend a little more upfront and in mods but the extra hp you get without really having to dive deep in the engine is worth it to some. You need to research to make your own decision. Some of the things mentioned aren't necessary and some things weren't mentioned. Good luck with it.

Mike