kacy

im at a crossroad with my 69 i have a LT1 enginethat i could build or get a roller cam 350 both would be built the same 383,cc306 1.6 roller rockers,ported heads on the LT1 and fastburns for the sbc efi for both engines LT headers and true duals which would be a better build

ayalam

Lt1 reverse cooling you can run more compression. SBC heads might flow better.

67RSSS6SPD

I asked myself the same thing.After talking to chad at golen engines I went with the Lt1 reverse cooling,because you can run more compression 11 to 1 you would have a hard time doing that on a gen 1 engine.Still rebuilding the LT1 now so I can't tell if I made the best choice yet.But I think I'm going to be very happy.I looking for a street friendly 400rwhp with a 6spd and 12 bolt.

guywithaZ

I think LT1 and LS1 swaps into the oldies always look pretty sweet...

Deckstripes

I think at that level of build, what the LT1 offers is the accessory mounts. They're clean and reliable and high output and efficient. Of course you could put a late SBC serpentine on your old SBC, and get similar gains in the accessories. LT1 gasketing is much improved from early SBC, but not so much as late centerbolt / 1 piece rear main gen 1's. The LT1 intake and exhaust ports are oddities when compared to the thousands of options for std SBC. That could be a real deal breaker there. Headers.
Good luck, either way sounds cool.

67RSSS6SPD

Here are some numbers with carb set up .Stock bottom end at flywheel with carb set up 415ft@3750 366 hp@5250 / with hot cam + springs 424ft@3750 409hp@6000/ hot cam and 1.6 rockers 430ft @4250 421 hp@5750. all with stock iron heads.

I'm using hooker 1 3/4 dia LT's in my nova and they fit the d ports nicely, part number 2131.I made up my own alt and power steering brackets,Have them mounted down low on the block.

kacy

i was actually thinking more like a home built fastburn 383 roller cam SBC a magazine did this with a crate and a hot cam and got 430 hp plus parts are cheaper for a SBC and it would have a serp set up

kacy

any other comments

Scotts94z28

I'd say go with the lt1, but i am partial to them. I have drove mine for 10.5 years, and racked up 210,000 miles on it without any major mechanical problems. However I would also listen to more "in tune" engine folks here.

96capricemgr

Fastburns are the Gen1 equivalent to the LT4 heads.
If you want the LT1s engine management then go with the LT1, if you want some other form of management then go with the Gen1 but make it a late 80s-90d roller cam one piece rear main block. Even if you just want stock LT1 head flow the Vortec heads got their ports and chambers directly from the iron LT1 heads which flow moe than most of the aluminums, yes you miss out on reverse flow cooling but you still pick up flow, a good chamber design which helps run higher compression, more intake choices. There are enough pluses there to make what engine management you want be the deciding factor.
I know one company was working on an opti/HEI hybrid which would allow HEIs on LT1s or LT1 engine management on gen1s, would make it easy to build a wild gen1 with the wider selection of heads avaialble but still make use of the LT1 management on retrofits liek this.

Deckstripes

good call

Dan Parker '96

LT1= Only made for 5 years.

Great as a conversation piece but if you want power at a reasonable price go with Gen I's or the LS1. Either is cheaper and easier.

You'd have to have a masochistic streak like me to keep dinkin' with this bastard child.

simple

thats interesting....
from all i gather as of right now, the LS1 is not cheaper too build
the LT1 shares all the same internals and valvetrain components as a GEN1 HR block with 1 piece seal. IMO, LT1 takes the cost factor there
not too mention the LT1 has some of if not the best flowing/power producing 23* facory production head too date

if he has the LT1 stuff already, whats cheaper then that?
only limiting factor IMO is the ignition which with some of the aftermarket coilpack setups...is 80% taken care of

but it depends on what you want

turning a GEN 1 carbed motor into EFI will not be cheap
but building one from scratch in comparison too building an LT1 from scratch would probably be cheaper but only if the GEN1 is carbed
but why go with a carb when the benefits of EFI are there?...

sounds too me like the answer he wants lies in circumstance and how quick his dollar tree replenishes itself

i say work with what ya got FWIW