Is the LT4 conversion kit worth the money? LT4 KIT I mean for a little over 2 grand you get heads, cam, intake, rollers, and all the gaskets... Has anyone put this kit on their car? Are you happy with it and what kind of power are you making?

 

I'd say no, I did it... well... sorta.

anyway, shop around, and you could get a much better deal.
There used to be a guy on here that would port your heads(better then lt4 heads) and grind a cam to match for $1000. Throw down another $600 and you can get a decent set of RR's pushrods and lifters. $20 bucks will get you the block off plates on ebay. and finally $5 should buy you a can of red spray paint. so you can paint the Intake manifold red and nobody will know the difference.

more power for $500 less... tuff decision.

 

Two words: Lloyd Elliot

Seach his name.

-Dustin-

 

Ya the lt4 kit sucks... like said above try lloyd elliot or advanced induction.

 

I think you'd probably save the most money if you piece it togather yourself.
The only things I would get togather are the heads and cam.

 

Every time a question about this kit is posted a half dozen people come on and say you can do more cheaper buying indiviual pieces. I've always found this a little hard to believe. In most cases you pay less for a kit. And I've never seen anyone post a complete itemized list for comparison. Did they include a new timing chain set or did they have to buy new injectors because of the bigger cams?
Whether you like this kit or not, it does have one big advantage. It works, it was put together by Chevy and will give you what is advertized, no quess work.

 

Lloyd Elliot

You'll make more power with this setup. Figure the LT4 conversion kit is rated at 425hp - thats about 355RWHP depending on drivetrain.

Lloyd will almost garuntee 370-390RWHP (with the mods that go with it). I'm guessing you have those mods anyways. If not, you'll save about $1,000 that you can put twords those mods.

JMO though.

 

I am curious if anyone has actual rear wheel hp. numbers on the LT-4 kit vs. the Loyd Elliot set-up. I have heard rumors that the LT-4 kit is not so great but I do not have any data to back it up or how much difference can be expected.

 

The best case numbers for the LT4 kit are 425 flywheel. L.E.s stage one puts I think 370-90 down too the wheels if you understand drivetrain losses the LE kit puts the LT4 kit too shame, and for a good bit less money as already detailed.
The cheaper part I think people refer too is that by buying the right individual parts you can make more power for less money, not that you can buy those same parts individual for less money.

 

Well, I didn't mean to offend. but I still think I'm right.
Yes the LT4 kit is a decent kit. And yes it works. And just like everything else oem, it's expensive. Now if you would have read all the posts, you would have noticed that I did go in to slight detail on prices. I didn't cover everything, I admit that. A timing chain is like $15 from Cromer, head gastets are about $20 a piece. If you need new fuel injectors, thats a different story. That will cost you extra. If you don't want to buy new injectors, then don't go with a huge cam. The main reason I don't really think of the LT4 package as a good deal is because of the heads and the manifold. The price of the heads is a lot to pay, if you have a set of perfectly good heads on your car already. A decent port and polish job which will give you better airflow then the LT4 heads and typically runs around $800. And as I mentioned earlier, there used to be a guy on here that would grind a matching cam for $200 extra.
The LT4 Manifold, isn't a whole hell of a lot different then the LT1, other then it won't fit on LT1 heads. I'm pretty sure the airflow is about the same through the two of them, but you could port it if you wanted. The rockers are basicly the same as the Crane 1.6 aluminum RR's that summit sells for $319, and free shipping. The only difference is that the crane's are annodized.
So anyway, if you want to go with an LT4 kit, thats fine. I just think you could do a little better if you wanted... Just my two cents.

 

Not offened, and I'm sure you are right. I was just born a skeptic.
I quess my real concern is that the same advice is given to everyone that ask this question. And I know some of them would be better off spending more and getting a "guarantee", then trying to match components on they own.
I didn't mean to put myself in the possition of advocating this specific kit.

 

The only reason I would tell someone to go with the LT4 kit is if they wanted to upgrade later. The LT4 heads are a far superior starting point for power. You can get LT4 heads ported to flow 300+ cfm and LT1 heads are pretty much maxed out at 280 (with a damn good porter).

So its up to you. The LE kits basically max out your potential. Just something to think about.

Not ******* LE AT ALL (i actually have a set). Im just playing devils advocate.

 

You could also sell the hotcam for say a 306 cam and it would put you right around the same power as the LE kits. It would cost a bit more too.

So think about longterm goals. If you want 400 rwhp for cheapest, go with Lloyd. If you want power now and maybe a BEAST later, go with the LT4. Thats just my $.02

 

a kit is a kit,companies offer them cause they work with minor mods to existing equip.however i think the case here is people are stating that other set ups can be had to provide more performance, is it a kit? no!
can better suited parts be used?yes!
the whole point in the lt4 set up was to provide the public with a production based performance upgrade that will not upset most smog stations from state to state.
i do not beleive this was intended to incite an argument as much as it is supposed to assist another member to make a descision on how he/she should spend their hard earned cash.we all know that quite a few have or had the kit some were very pleased with the upgrade and a few others required MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

That is true, but personally, I feel that if you don't understand exactly what you are working with, you shouldn't be doing it yourself anyway.

Disco192 brings up a good point If you plan on really high HP numbers the LT4 heads can be ported a good deal more then the LT1 heads Thats why I went with them on my 383 LT4. of course I didn't use the cam.