My 94 LT-1 6 speed has 162k miles on it. I bought it new. It still runs OK, drips but doesn't use oil. I was thinking about a new car. I rode in a '13 1LE, it was OK, but I did expect more.

So I am back to thinking I should keep the '94. I am still a ways off from pulling the engine and doing any work to it. All this Lloyd Elliot stuff sounds pretty spiffy and might just fit the need. However, if I pull it, I'll want to freshen the bottom end, perhaps go to 383 stroker. I was reading GM Performance magazine today and saw this kit:

Street Small Block Chevy 383 Rotating Assembly, Dish Dome, 6 Inch Rod - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

I wonder how you experienced guys feel about this?

 

Thats a good price for the assembly. Not sure what the shipping will run. As for their crank and rods im not sure. Maybe do a google search on speedway reviews. Also they offer to balance the assembly before shipping. Not sure of that price ether but may be a steal compared to a lot of other places.

Brian

94 Z28 4l60e. Reworked heads ported and polished. Cam 3" catback flowmasters. And common bolt ons.

Any help or advice i give is my 2 cents and is based on my experience with the F-Bodies. As always seek professional help for certain problems.

 

that kit is for the older split rear main seal, not the single seal on your 94

 

That is a kit made with the cheapest possible parts. Longevity would be suspect.

Pistons are shown as "dish", although the picture is not clear. You want a "flat top" piston with small valve reliefs, or you will lower the compression ratio.

As noted in the post above, to use that crank you would need a 2-piece rear main seal adapter. I would also check the source of the crank and rods. I suspect they are Chinese and heavy. Does not appear to have any effort made to reduce wind resistance on the counterweights. I would also guess that cast crank may not be as strong as the stock crank - but I'm not at all familiar with "Speedway".

Do you really have to have a "383"? What are your HP goals? Why not build a 355? The 383 is only giving you 8% more displacement, and raising the cost of the build significantly. You could have your stock crank cleaned up/refinished and it would be good for 500HP or more. Ditto with the stock 5.7" rods... good for over 500HP (if your 94 has the powder metal rods - early build may be the SBC "pink" rods, later build should be the PMC). All you would need would be 0.030" over pistons, and as long as you don't plan a "power adder" (blower, turbo, nitrous) you would be OK with a hypereutectic piston. Have a good porting job done on your stock heads, matching cam, and you can push it as high as 500HP.

 

man, I have no plans. The car still runs good (besides leaking oil). I was looking at a new 1LE and just don't see it now. I bought this car in '94 to keep with the idea of rebuilding it when I bought it. I think I'll stick to the plan. The engine stayed together longer than I thought. It hits good, so it must have good compression. It doesn't use oil.

I'll contact LE someday and come up with a plan. I'll scratch the 383.

 

If you're going to build a 383 buy a 4340 forged crank and rods plus forged pistons, that way no matter what you do (na, forced induction or nitrous) you'll have a stout bottomend that can handle anything.

 

why would I need a forged crank to run on the street? I just want a sporty street car that can run with (if not out run) the new iron, 'vettes, camaro, porsche. Riding in the 1LE, my Z ain't that far behind on the street and it's still more fun than the Boxer S I drove. Maybe do a track day like I've done my motorcycle.

like I said, I've scratched the 383 idea. I'll go with an LE rebuild.

 

There's nothing wrong with a 383 if you have the top end to support it. Using a chinese made cast crank is just not a good idea though. Chinese steel is nowhere near as good as American steel.

 

OP

when it comes time to do the LE H/C....send the short block to a "qualified" machine shop. block dipped, and cyl walls checked. you may get away with just a hone (very likely). Get the rods re-sized with ARP fasteners, new rings, cam & main bearings, crank polished and you will have a new fresh LT1

if cyl walls don't spec out and a .030 overbore is needed get a quality set (Mahle) flat top with valve relief pistons

the LE package on top of a fresh short block will serve you well.

if you want more TQ...go 383 but don't skimp on the crank. most of the cheap cast cranks are WAY weaker than your stock GM crank. I went 383 forged but just have a NA motor

 

[LT1 vs LS1 BS removed.]

LowRyter- Thats awesome your the original owner of your car. Just wanted to let you know since you are still planning on a engine build down the road, I am doing the same. I just bought " How to build Max-Performance Chevy LT1/LT4 engines" book off ebay for like 20 bucks. The book has some really good engine combinations that make some serious power. Mild to wild. Along with some really good information on LT1s. You may want to check it out.

 

OK.... STOP. LAST WARNING.

This is not going to be an "LT1 vs. LS1" thread. We don't permit that here, because it is totally pointless and simply results in a bunch of crap being posted.

The OP asked about a 383 kit for his LT1. Anything related to an LS1 is non-productive, and typically argumentative.

 

Good to hear from you. I'll check back when and if I do anything to the car. I did put a new dash cover and had the seat repaired from seatbelt chafe.

 

QUOTE: So I am back to thinking I should keep the '94. I am still a ways off from pulling the engine and doing any work to it. All this Lloyd Elliot stuff sounds pretty spiffy and might just fit the need. However, if I pull it, I'll want to freshen the bottom end, perhaps go to 383 stroker. I was reading GM Performance magazine today and saw this kit:

LowRyter-I have talked to LE, great guy and has a great reputation. I am probably going to go with LE on his LE2 heads/cam package. Last I checked he will port your heads/ custom cam for 1600 bucks. It really hard to beat that $$$ with the performance that comes with the package. 400 plus rwhp. Great power for the occasional drag strip fun. Nice power on the street to occasionally shut down the new 5.0s and LS3 SS camaros.

 

curious, what cam have you settled on? do you have a 6 speed? headers? are you overhauling the engine?

thanks

 

Going through this myself.
I got some deals on parts but otherwise would have went with Elliot Portworks and LE2 stuff.
I'm contemplating this 383 kit.
http://www.summitracing.com/int/part...make/chevrolet
..the price is right

I'm using Trickflow GenX185 assembled heads (54cc)