Does anyone know where I can find a kit that allows me to replace the stock steam pipe that connects the back of the LT1 cylinder heads with AN fittings and steel braided hose? I've tried to fix the banjo bolt leaks about 3 times now and I can't seem to stop the damn thing from leaking. At this point I don't have the patience to try and put one together myself, I'd much rather find a kit with everything I need and save the aggrivation.

I've seen people comment about buying a kit, but I didn't see anyone meantion where they bought it.

Thanks!

 

I didnt buy a kit, but my thread holes were stripped so the banjo bolts kept spinning. I used an NPT tap and the correct drill size and redrilled and tapped the holes. I put a 90 degree fitting on the driver side head and "T" on the passenger, then used small coolant line to connect them and run back to the radiator.

 

Its easy to make your own! I just used high temp hose and regular fittings from home depot, with some "Great White" thread sealant paste for good measure. Was like 20 bucks MAYBE total in parts - i did not see a need to spend a ton of cash on something that will not make a big difference.

The hose I used also had a slightly larger ID, so I'm sure it makes it easier to vent gasses out of the head. At least I'd like to think so!

 

Now that is ghetto.

 

Yea it doesnt look that great, mine looked a little nicer as it was brass fittings and they were smaller. I'll see if the new owner of the heads can post a pic.

 

It may look ghetto but I'll bet it wont clog. I just pulled mine off and it had some chunks in the banjo bolts. Not much to cause a restriction, but clearly a small obstruction. They're clean now.

 

Thanks for the replies, but like I said in my original post, I dont have the patience to go through the trouble of making my own steam pipe right now I'm tryin to find out if theres a shop out there that offers a kit. I've heard it meantioned in other threads, so I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

 

I don't think anyone makes a kit. that I know of



I can make you one but you will have to tap the Heads.....$250 includes shipping

 

*shrugs* Bolt striped on crossover tube when removing the stock heads - took ~20 bucks and 5 minutes to make, will never clog, and has no performance benefit whatsoever on the engine. Located so deep under the cowl you do not see any of it at all, except for the black length of hose that runs to the rad which is under the wire harness anyway.

Am I missing something here? Just head to the online automotive superstore of your choice and snag some AN hose, fittings, elbow, and a tee. Measure out how much you need and be good to go. It's not rocket science, I'm sure if you got managed to get the heads off you can throw together something for well less then any kit you may find. Having an LT1, if you dont have the patience for such a simple mod, you chose the wrong engine to work on!

I am not one to cut corners on a build, but that is not exactly a focus of the LT1 that needs special attention. If you would rather spend well over $200 bucks on something that will not help your engine in any way and can hardly be seen, so be it. I'm sure there are much better ways to spend the cash, but it is yours, not mine

To be fair and answer the topic at hand, there was an Ebay store a while back that sold LT1 specific braided AN kits for the steam crossover and routing just like you are looking for. I am not sure if they are still in that business, but that was the only "kit" I have seen online...and like I said it was cheaper to just order the parts yourself.

Good luck!

 

I would have used brass but pretty don't make it faster so who cares.

I know at one time Joe Overton said he found more even EGTs after plumbing this AN and larger, so there may be some SLIGHT benifit. I am running a stock tube myself so I don't know but the idea had crossed my mind.
I have found crap partially plugging the banjo bolts which is what made me consider this.

 

I dought that for some reason, I just don't see how it would do anything, it just bleeds the air off. But I run a gutted t-stat and keep my temp to 140* EGT is not very reliable when he only had it on one cylinder on one bank

 

If it bleeds well enough to eliminate any hotspots on the heads from trapped steam, I can see it having a minor effect on bank to bank EGTs. Don't know how much truth or benefit that even would be, but there is peace of mind that it is at least better then stock

...and WOW nice temps. I cannot do that for obvious reasons since my car gets way too much street use, but that must be great for the track

 

I did it once on a friends car the way the second post descirbed. I have also succesfully tapped the heads while they were on the motor, also; so do not count that out.

 

Thanks for the information, I didn't know it'd cost that much to have one premade, but it's the price to pay for being lazy

Are the banjo bolt threads not a typical NPT thread size?

 

They are a standard NPT size, 1/4" IIRC but don't hold me to it. The parts for a braided line and fitting system are expensive.