I am wondering what is the cheapest/easiest big block drop in for an LT1 Formula. I have a 383 and am thinking about either going solid roller with some good heads (my heads now are under ported big time for a 383) or going with an engine swap. The opti crap has made me angry for years, something a little different would be nice. I carbed (I guess is cheaper?) I wouldn't mind, or if I could somehow use the stock ECM (dreaming here) that would be great. I have been working a LOT lately and not much time to work on the car. It needs new heads though bad.

 

A big block in a 4th gen is not easy. There have been some good threads on it - if you do a search you should find them. The cost, besides the cost of the motor, is going to be a function of how handy you are. There is a lot of minor fabrication, cutting/fitting, etc. needed. Very expensive to pay someone to do, but if you don't have the tools, equipment, time, or skills, you are stuck.

Rich

 

Ya I have seen a few write ups on 400 block type builds. I am kind of scared of fabbing my own motor mounts, but I don't see why I couldn't. Basically it boils down to the transmission/motor mounts though from what I have seen. That and header/oil pan clearance. I will keep searching.

 

A 400 is not a "big block". It is a big bore small blcok with the same external dimensions. The big block is much bigger. BBC's have 4.84" bore spacing and SB's are 4.4", and son. A BB weighs close to 100lbs more than a small block.

Rich

 

to maintain a big block would be a huge hassle in the 4th gen chassis, depends on how bad you want it...

I would evaluate how much power/tq etc. you want and the use of the car....

Then find something else that can fill the need.

 

Aww Mike don't suck the fun out of it.

If you have a lift, working on a 4th gen big block isn't that bad as long as your not trying to keep the AC,Cruise and etc.

 

I already don't have AC, cruise etc. I have my own engine hoist. I was thinking about some 408 I saw written up a long time ago that peaked my interest, I could be wrong about the size. I just remember it was a big block in an LT1. It is a gutted drag car that just isnt fast enough. I want to run a 120mph in the 1/4 basically N/A and then spray on top of that is my goal now. I want to do a turbo LT1, but it seems like such a hassle honestly. I wish LT1 heads werent so damn expensive.

I just want something easier to work on than an LT1 honestly. I am sick of the LT1 because of the reverse cooled heads, the water pump directly above the distributor, the opti in general, the crappy cast intake manifold that has chipped in a few places on me, etc. I might even go LS1 just for ease of everything.

 

There are a couple active threads right now, one in Advanced Tech and I have one in Gen F-Body forum.

https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...ight=BBc%2FT56

 

go turbo LT1, you dont have AC already so that makes it that much easier. Talk to RealQuick and he can get you a complete turbo kit for less than your going to spend building a BBC. Hell, he has a TT setup on ebay for 1750 right now, but then you need turbos (two t70s at 600/piece for well over 1200RWHP)

 

If you think LT1 heads are expensive I don't think you should be looking at turbo/bbc fourth gen builds!!

To me it sounds like the least expensive way to meet your goals would be some ported TFS or darts and a solid roller setup, and selling your LE1s to recoup some losses. Still easily 3k+ investment, but that is many times cheaper then a bbc conversion once all is said and done.

For a street car ported stock castings are great, but if you are looking for a lot of power with a stroker then aftermarket casting may be a worthwhile investment.

 

Ya, I came back to this finally. The money isn't necessarily the issue. I just don't want to dump a lot of money in the car honestly... I have always believed in doing it the cheapest possible. I have been thinking for years about the turbo set-up. I just can't justify letting someone do all the design work, that is the fun part.

For the turbo set-up I need to rebuild the motor though with some beefier internals and the tune would be quite intensive. I have never found a tuner who would help me besides mail-order type stuff so I have started tuning myself with questionable results.

The aftermarket heads and solid roller is where I think I am going now, I just want to find the cause of my "knock" issue that has plagued this motor. Is it just loud valvetrain etc.

 

If you only want 120 mph in the quarter, you can easily get that with an LT1, some good ported heads, custom cam, 383/396ci and right supporting mods and that should be not be too difficult to do. I'm aiming for 118-120 mph in the 1/4 with LE3 heads, custom cam, 385ci, and running on E85.