I would really like to convert my LT1 Transam over to an LS1 but I'm not sure what actualy needs to be done to do this... Engine mount modification, abs relocated? Has it ever been done before? I know it is probably an expensive proposition but this car has centimental value and I want some creativity awards... Any help or comments appreciated, thanks

 

Ok, I'll be the first to say it:

Mod your LT1 (more).

It will be cheaper, easier and can be made just as fast as any LS1. It can be and has been done but If you really want an LS1 I would just sell your car and buy one. It will be much simpler and less expensive.

One big problem that comes to mind off the top of my head is the t56, I don't beleive yours will work on an LS1. There are other reasons, that's the biggest one I can think of.

 

Why not just take the money and upgrade your LT1. I cant see any benefit from converting to an LS1 that couldnt be achieved by upgrading your LT1. Why not keep it simple

 

Agreed, the LT1 can be made faster for cheaper than converting to an LS1 first, and the LT1 already sounds better, etc. Why not just stick with it?

 

The reason I don't want to stick with the LT1 is b/c I want a BB cubes. 396 is a decent amount of power but I would much rather have a 427 or 454 LS1. I want to go N/A but I don't hink I will get the power I want out of a 396...

 

Not to be smart or anything but do you have an idea of what a 427 LS1 is going to cost? Major $$$. Unless you're buying a complete 427 C5R block (for $25k or so) it takes a lot of work and money to resleeve an LS1 to build a 427. Also, LT1's can go bigger than 396 ci, it just also gets much more expensive. And there is no 454 LS1, I don't think they have gone above a 427. Again, no offense, just trying to help steer you in the right direction.

 

I know there are bigger ones in the works, but there are a few 434ci LS1s out there.

 

Agostino racing engines makes a 454 for the LS1... I havn't heard of Lt1 's any bigger than 396 due to cylinder wall/ water jacket problems... How big can a LT1 be bored and stroked to without having valve to piston clearence problems/cylinder wall tolerences?

 

if im not wrong lingenfelter makes a 427 lt1

 

I don't see anything about a 454 LS1 on their site, 422 or 436 is the biggest but maybe they don't advertise it there for some reason. I'm not sure of the max on the LT1 block but I've heard of ones over 396.

 

I've seen an article on a 452ci LS1.

Mark Montalvo built two different versions of a 421ci LT1. One was a 4.09 X 4.00 (sonic check of block, bores recentered) that made over 800HP on nitrous. The other was a 4.03 X 4.125. One of the engine shops advertises a "409" LT1 short block.

If I wanted a "BB" displacement, I'd opt for a good SBC Gen 1 aftermarket block, for less than 1/2 the cost of the C5-R block ($6,300) and have all that money left to choose from a huge array of aftermarket heads. JMHO

LS1 requires K-member mods, radiator mods, new tranny, possibly a new hood, etc.

 

What Fred said! If you are up for the cost/complexity of a big cube LS1 swap, just get a gen I SBC and be done with it. If your pockets are deep enough, you can even get an aluminum gen I.

But this will be a very, very expensive project no matter what. The minimum, even assumning you can do quite a bit yourself will probably be $15-20,000. More if you need help with most of it.

Rich Krause

 

Yeah i have to agree with Fred also about just getting a gen 1 sbc. Also i'm sure you are just wanting a lot more power. Maybe if you just do cams and heads along with the other bolt ons you may realize that that is already a lot of power. The lt1 can make a lot of power.

 

maybe you should define your goals a little. I mean, there are lots of guys making GOBS of power with LT1s. Granted, you can probably get more from an LS1 when you go all out with it, but will you take it that far... probably not.

Also, think about this from you wallet's view. It's going to cost you a perverbial **** ton to do this "swap"... and you're just going to a stock LS1 at this point. Take that money, build a low comp LT1 stroker, strap a D1 to it and you're golden.

Or, if you're dead-set of the LS1, you're best bet is to sell the LT1 and buy an LS1 car. Much easier and will most likely be less expensive.

 

there was an article in one magazine this month, think it was HOT ROD about a 452.xx CI LS1 motor (though I think it was actually a C5R block.. dont rem)