To be honest though, even though the LSx is a better platform (to me anyway), if you someone made an aluminum LT1 block and kept the price down to < 2000.00, then I would bite as would many others I think. If you figure up the machining costs you'll face on a stroker buildup when properly done on a standard LT1 block, you're going to be into it for somewhere in the 1300 to 1600 range ANYWAY. I would indeed pay another 300 to 400 bucks to have the thing in an alloy at that point. BUT (there's always a catch huh?) it would have to be basically ready to build for at least a 396 stroker, as in already clearenced, already align honed, bored and decked. I wouldn't want to pony up 2 grand and THEN have to have it machined. It's at that point the LS1 becomes the much better choice. This would be a fairly tall order though, as the only blocks I've ever seen to be consistently "on", as far as specs on measurements go, right out of the box are the CNC bowtie blocks. And you aint gonna get one of those for < 2 grand

Dave C.

OBTW, I keep hearing that the LT1's are slow too! But only after the other guys catch up and we have a chance to talk..

 

I thought Donovan already had made a aluminum LT1?

 

I'm still waiting for someone to make a plastic LT1 intake.

 

Ditto. That and possibly even an iron lt1 block that would be able to go out to 430+ cubic inches. Or a plug and play (besides the pistons) 18 or15 degree head and intake conversion package where the work has already been done, and all that is needed is to possibly machine the current pistons or get new pistons.


I think the question is how much will they cost, and will they be worth it for the person that produces them, because I think selling these things would be no problem if the PRICE IS RIGHT. People would "come on down" ( I had to. LOL.) , but would it be worth it to do the laber and R&D.

The parts would probably be in demand, but I don't know if many people would pay 2000+ for and lt1 block. I mean,.... you can get an alluminum LS1 shortblock a for a few hundred now. And even for the people who want to keep theri LT1, like myself, I doubt most would spend that much for a Lt1 block, when the factory one can hold a good deal of power. You would save some weight in the front, but still.


Now if the block could be purchased for hundreds also, that would be a different story, but then .... WOULD ANYONE PRODUCING IT FIND IT WORTH THEIR WHILE? COULD THEY MAKE THE PROFIT THEY WANT, AND SELL IT AT A COST WHERE PEOPLE WOULD BY IT.

I think that's what it all comes down to. People WILL WAN'T these things, and there are those out there that CAN PRODUCE THESE ITEMS , but MOST won't by it even though they DO WAN'T it if they feel it cost tooooo much. Of course shops can produce these things. But can the producer make these things at a cost to themselves that will still allow them to sell at a price that the possible consumer will buy, while still making the profit that they see fit, or in some cases the greed that they see fit.

 

I think for a cost of around $2000 we would be lucky to get something out of cast iron, let alone aluminum. I would rather have the cast iron anyway, my personal preference. I would be willing to spend $2000 for say a World Products "Motown LT1/4" block if they ever released one. You spend almost that in machine work anyway on a factory piece, and you end up with a much stronger foundation to build on, with most of the machine work already done, it has much thicker cylinder walls, 4 bolt splayed billet caps, extra meat in the main web area, priority main oil feeding, to name a few things. Also, these blocks are going to start to become scarce soon, if they arent already, and I dont see GM casting anymore of these. If say World Products/Dart/ or GM had one out when I started my 396 build, I would have certianly used it, and most definitly if I was building a turbo/blower/nitrous motor. World Products or Dart, are you reading this?


Nick

 

yes the market will grow the blocks are getting hard to find people are racing more and more every year with lt1's the key is under $2,500 able to go big like 454ci a full cnc block with only boreing if wanted needed i dont care personally if iron or steel cause iron weighs more and aluminum moves when hot (less ring seal) next the 15-18 degree head is a great idea thats the money maker that would fund the block project till the blocks took off and belive me they will

 

I talked to donovan directly 3 years ago about makng a aftermarket block..quote" it would cost over $100,000 just for the tooling and by the time its made looking close to $250,000 for the first one...." his next reply was fabricate a front on an existing block. which someone did,why would someone ruin a block like that I havnt a clue #1 you cant call it a lt1 anymore since lt1's were 350 iron blocks...I also talked to rodeck with pretty much same reply....I think maybe a few would sell if somebody made one but most people would agree by the time you get to that level might as well go sbc based anyway,besides lt1's havnt been tapped out yet,every year they seem to get quicker..

 

You should do some research into the saga TA Performance whent through developing the aluminum Stage 2 Buick V6 block. The amount of R&D was incredible. The first ones just got running last year (I believe). The price is $3k/block.

I think w/ good bottom end components, the stock block (properly prepped) is pretty stout. I would rather see 15 or 18 degree heads w/ appropriate intake / headers developed. I would spend money on that.

Thanks,


Steve.

 

It's an interesting idea. I would buy one if they were the right price, say $2500 <. I think the 15 and 18 degree head idea would appeal to some people but you can have existing heads converted to reverse cooling for not very much. Couple that withthe power producing capabilities of turbos and I think the market would be more interested in a stronger, bigger displacement capable block.

 

454 ci lt1 with 15 degree heads and twin turbo's - make it happen

 

Does anyone remember that GM tried to do a aluminum block. There are a few of them flooting around but the blocks will not take the power some of the high hp guys are making. They also made some lt1's for the Trans-Am racing cars. The blocks where based off a siamesed cylinder wall bowtie block with no oil filter pad just an oil in and out hole.

In an Aluminum block would like to see rasied cam, big bore around 4.200, and pined caps. The cost would like to be around 1,800-2,500.

 

i like what i am seeing so far.....but remember,the gen 1 sbc has been out for 50 years,and good mass produced motown blocks are $2300 and the new aluminum block is 3300ish. I'd love to see a better LT1 block,but it feasible to have the cost where everyone is aiming for? thats the most important question

 

An impala SS guy named Jeff Green converted an aluminum Donovan block into an "LT1" a while back. link

What would I want from an aftermarket LT1 block? How about a raised deck height, raised cam height, large diameter cam journals, widened deep skirt oilpan rails, bigger bore diameter, the headbolts would thread deeper into the block than just the deck, O-rings replacing all the old cork gaskets, drysump provisions, etc. Can't forget very high flow heads and a plastic EFI intake manifold.

Sounds like I have LS7 envy

 

I fail to see why anyone would want to put mediocre 23 degree heads on an exotic, $4,000 aluminum block, even if they are reverse cooled. It makes no sense.

Rich

 

I can't blame you... i guess we will end up with such an engine in our cars some day.