I'm looking at a cheap LT-1 engine and trans. I've got all the parts to go carbed (not in my car) and have been looking for a cheap short block. I'll have to rebuild this one, but this way I can retain the reverse cooling and such, plus it's a rock bottom price.

Whats required to make a carb intake fit lt-1 heads ? Is it a matter of drilling new holes ?

-Shannon

 

just get the GM carb intake manifold from GMPP or summit. From what i hear it is virtually identicle to the Edelbrock Performer RPM for vortec heads and is made by edelbrock and sold under the GMPP name (thats what i hear). According to dyno tests the RPM vs. Air gap isnt worth much or anything at all anyways.Its my personal belief that the reason Edelbrock even came out with the air gap was cuz the RPM was sellin for so low (due to competition gettin VERY close in power numbers) that edelbrock had to throw out something "new" that they claim makes more power,and charge more than its worth since its an "upgrade". Anywayss that whole last part is just an opinion so dont take it too seriously!LOL

 

Can't...lol
I've already bought the RPM air gap intake and a 750 Holley Like I said, i've bought all of the carb stuff for a new engine, but haven't bought the short block and heads yet. I just found this one really cheap in need of a rebuild. If I can make this intake fit, I'll save a ton of money on a block and machine work.

-Shannon

 

basically drilling the new holes at correct angles,and making a plug for the dist. hole (unless you are gonna run 1 of those also) is it.

i have an Accel singe plane intake for my LT1 that is setup for fuel injection,and it has been redrilled for the LT1 bolt pattern.

 

Thats exactly what I want to do. It's a basic carbed engine with distributor. I can get away with so much more by just swapping a carb and intake over to this setup. If all I need is new holes at the right angle, then i'm gonna have a very happy wife

-Shannon

 

There might be more work than just drilling. I believe there is a little water problem that requires some welding and machining.

Why not sell (or return)the manifold you have and put that money toward the GMPP one that fits?

Good luck with the wife.

 

Well, the welding and machining is no problem whatsoever. I bought the intake and carb for $80, so I haven't vested much in it except for my time rebuilding it.
I've purchased this engine for rock bottom, so i'm not worried about a bit of extra cost

I don't think I would have to weld up anything though since the LT-1 intake is a dry one (no coolant). I'll be retaining the heads and block, which are the only pieces that contain coolant, so there shouldn't be any worried about plugging any of the coolant holes in the SBC carb intake.

-Shannon

 

we'll youre not gonna need an extra carb to run the carb intake meant for the lt1.

 

Somebody on here has a picture, cant find it, they just TIG'd the necessary intake bolt holes in the heads and redrilled. I think you can also do it the opposite way...make the intake fit the heads, instead of making the heads fit the intake. Dont see why not, just TIG the holes in the intake and drill new ones. If you still run the optispark you wont have to worry about the DIST.

I hear bad things about the GMPP LT1 carb intake (not the most performance minded intake), just what Ive heard though, a nice single plane like a super vic or vic JR would go nicely though.

 

arent the angle of the intake runners on an LT1 different than a standard sbc??? i can see how this might work with an intake manifold for Vortec heads but not standard,i could be wrong, also the LT1 manifold is made by edelbrock and is the same as the Performer RPM which is virtually identicle to the air gap,so i would say its just as "performance minded" as the air gap.

 

I run the GM carb intake on my car and personally I like it, had to do a little "modifying" to clear the heads, but it's worth it. Car pulls very hard and plus, there's nuthin like the sound of the ole' 4 barrel!!