I am relatively new to the LS1 Engine. I have been a hot rodder for a long time and most of my experience is with the older engines. I just bought a '98 Z-28 and I want to build a bigger engine to put in it. I have an old style 400ci small block with the two piece rear seal. From what I hear putting this engine in the 98 would be difficult and some what expensive!
This 400 that I have is a High Dollar engine: Dart little M Block, Dart Pro1 heads, Scat steel crank and Scat 6" rods, etc.

What I would like to know is: Are any of the parts from the old style small block compatible with the LS1/LS6? I know the crank wont work, but how about the rods? The Scat 6" rods that I have are a beautiful set of rods! They 7/16" Cap Screws instead of the regular bolts. If I were to build a LS1/LS6 from the ground up, would these work?

 

I have been thinking the same thing, however the wrist pin side of the rod is larger on an ls1 I believe. I have gotten some conflicting #'s though and haven't had an ls1 rod to measure myself...as soon as i figure it out for sure i'll post up.

 

Thanks,
Let me know what you find!

I will do some research also and see what I can find out.

 

The SBC rods work in the new blocks easy, you just have to change the pin size of the pins down to .927 from .945

The big end width of the LS1 rods is about .005 smaller but that doesn't seem to bother anyone.

So yeah a SBC rod will drop right into a LS1 but the LS1 rods are 6.098 so you would need to run a 6.125 o 6.250 rod.

Bret

 

These Rods are .927 at the small end, cause they are bushed.

But thanks for the input! It looks like I've got a buyer for my 400 so I wont' tear it down. I am going to try an find an LS1/LS6 short block that I can build. Scat says that they can supply whatever rod size is necessary!

Thanks Again,
Deeavi