I have some plans for the future when I get the extra cash and I'm looking for some advice on what I could improve, what else I might need and any other opinions you might have. Currently I have about 94K on the engine, everything seems to be running fine internally, but then again, I can't see anything in there. I should be porting the intake to 58mm, throwing on a 58mm TB and bypassing the coolant soon. After that, I plan on an LE2 h/c setup. And finally, when I get a few hundred after that I want to spray it. I'll be new to working with the heads, cam and nitrous. The biggest projects I've done so far are headers and a new opti. But I have some time to learn all I can about nitrous and that stuff. But anyways, I was just wondering what some of you experienced guys have to say about a setup like that. Positives, negatives, other ideas, anything. Mainly, looking for other parts I should invest in to keep everything safe and run smooth for a car with my miles. Just so I can start looking around and getting a solid price list down.
Thanks a lot.

 

With an LE2 and nitrous along with 94K on the shortblock, I would also start considering a rebuild down the road. As for the nitrous, check out the nitrous forum and start reading through the old posts. You will learn quite a bit just from doing that. Plus, this board has two great nitrous vendors who are very willing to answer any questions asked. www.harrisspeedworks.com and www.nitrousoutlet.com

 

The 58mm TB will only cause problems on your stock LT1. You can wait until you get the H/C package to do that. I'd say build up your suspension and rear end (12 bolt/S60 etc.) before getting into the engine. If it's times you're after, check out what people have done with stock LT1's and properly set up suspension and chassis mods. I think I've seen mid 12's with the stock LT1.

 

Like seawolf said, forget the 58mm TB. That's one of the last things you need down the road. Do you have an auto or M6?

 

I have an auto. I forgot to mention that I was planning on getting 3.73's with a new 12 bolt and probably like a 3000 stall or so WAY down the road, I figured I would get all the power out of the engine first, then move on to that stuff. But I could consider doing some suspension and rear end type things before that if I can get results like the ones mentioned above. 12 second stock LT1 isn't bad at all. Also, that would give me more time to research and put together a nice engine setup, possibly a rebuild like 2000GTP stated.
But thanks a lot for the responses so far.

 

Look at evrything as a package that has to work right together...If you are going with an LE set up get dyno sheets from Lloyd to help you spec your converter and gears...One of the biggest mistakes people make is not taking the time to match the cam, converter, and gears...and take the time to research suspension, too...I used to tell people to build the car from back to front. Get the suspension sorted out with your goals for the car in mind. All that LE power will go up in smoke without some thought about suspension...

In other words, take the time to do the research now...Follow others with similar set ups who are running well and pick their brains...Money is hard to come by so choose wisely and you'll be thrilled in the end...Its great to see more people making LT1s fast...

--Alan

 

Alan is where I got that ideology from.

 

That sounds like a good idea. I was looking at the 12 bolt setup with 3.73's from Strange a while back to get some ideas. I could go back there and start with the rearend, gears etc. then work my way up. Never really looked at it that way, but it sounds like a good idea to me. I need the time to do some more research anyway. Maybe I could slowly start building up on a new block as well. Anyways, thanks a lot for changing my mind there, seems like a good plan.

 

Yeah, you can find stock LT1 blocks around pretty easily. Just built it up on the side then you can just swap it in all at once with minimum downtime.

 

Thats a really good idea. Easier on the pocketbook that way.

 

So a bare LT1 block with some forged internals for the extra strength needed with the juice should do me, right? Are there any all forged internals engine build up kits I could look at for my application? I think I remember seeing some engine build kits with all the internal things I would need in an old Summit mag.

 

Do it right and check out some of the options our supporting vendors have to offer.

 

Where do I look for the supporting vendors?

 

Top of the page where it says Supporting Vendor Index in small type.