so how hard would it be go from an lt1 to and ls1 in my car. i need a new motor so i figured i would go with something a bit newer than what i have. any suggestions? or would it be better to get an lt1/lt4 and work on that instead?

 

From what I understand it is alot easier and cheaper to build an LT1 then it would be to swap to an LS1. For the same price you could have a stock LS1 or you could have a heads and cam LT1 with some other minor stuff done to it. Someone just made a post about this the other day, you would also need an ultra Z type hood so you can make the LS1 air intake system work correctly.

 

It can be done, and it has been done, but an LT1 -> LS1 swap isn't just a simple "re & re", there's a fair bit of work involved, and you need a different hood on an LT1 car to clear the LS1 intake. Plus, all the wiring/electrical hook-ups are all going to be different, and you need the computer and everything else........ too much work for me!

I think you'd be better off building your LT1 up to LT4 spec's (intake/heads in particular), with a good camshaft, and you'd probably out-perform a lot of LS1's.

 

ok so hwo hard would it be to get an lt4 and put that in

 

If you have an LT1 now you can just buy the LT4 conversion kit. But for the price its cheaper for you to go out and buy a better head/cam combo and you will make more power. An LT4 is an LT1 with a different cam, intake and set of heads, visually it looks the same other then the red intake manifold.

 

I have seen first hand what a motor swap entails...
My experience was a friend's V6 ~ LT1 swap.
I can tell you just find a LS1 Car and buy it if you want an LS1.

Else I would suggest, as above, build a mean Heads/Cam/Full Bolt-On LT1 that spanks mildly modified/unsuspecting LS1s

 

Why get an LT4? Aftermarket heads and cams will get a lot more power than an LT4 swap, especially now that vendors are coming out with LT1 head castings.

 

well i think i have a good idea. im looking at a used lt1 with low milage on it. i am going to buy that motor and put it in my car. then im taking the old motor and building that from the bottom up. that way when i get the "old motor" done i can swap them and have somethign else to build up differently

 

an LS1 isnt THAT much better than the LT1, its definatly not worth the trouble to change :P

hell both mine run about the same ET and there aint much done to the LT1

why would you wanna switch?

 

just for something different
i do love my lt1 (when it ran)
im just trying for as many opportunities as i can find
i do like the idea of having an extra engine on tap that i can work on and build up