http://www.gmpartsdepot.com/store/pr...roduct_ID=1033

I've been told these are SBC motors. What exactly does that mean? Better or worse than a factory LT1?

I'm trying to decide between buying this engine or having a shop build me a factory spec engine for about $1,000 less and no core charge.

 

Hmm... looks like it's the iron head LT1 that came in the Impalla and a few other cars. I seriously doubt it's worth $4k+ (at least I wouldn't pay that, and the picture is wrong). For that same price, you can get a decent high performance short block with some good parts from several different places.

 

http://www.golensengineservice.com/d...fm?EngineID=26

Complete 4 bolt mains block with good components, roller rockers, balanced, mild cam (similar to hotcam) with forged rods. $3,699

Can't beat golens' prices

 

SBC means "small block Chevy". But that is a very generic nomenclature. The original SBC was 265ci, and was installed in the 1955 Chevy. That engine is now refered to as the "Gen 1" SBC, and it was used in various configurations up to 400ci, all the way up until the late 1990's when they were still using it in Chevy pickup trucks.

The LT1 is generally referred to as the "Gen 2" SBC, because while the block has the same general dimensions and design as the Gen 1 SBC, it has a unique "reverse flow" cooling system, and the entire front of the engine is different, to incorporate the reverse flow, gear driven water pump, and the "oddball" OptiSpark distributor. Then there is the Gen 3 SBC, which is actually the LS1 small block, and it shares virtually nothing with the Gen 1 or Gen 2 engines, except the cylinder bore spacing.

So.... if they told you it was an "SBC", it doesn't mean much of anything.... because all LT1's are "SBC's".

Its even more confusing, because they call it "1994 - 1995 Chevy, Buick 350 (LT1) New Goodwrench Engine # 88894193", and while the Corvette, F-Body, Buick Roadmaster, Caprice/Impala and Cadillac Fleetwood all used versions of the LT1, there are subtle differences, like the iron vs. aluminum heads, and different camshafts...... and the engine they show looks more like a Gen 1 SBC from a 3rd Gen F-Body. The water pump openings are definitely not from an LT1. And there are no plugs in the ends of the heads, which the LT1's require for the steam tube mounted in the back.

 

Don't forget that some of the iron head motors weren't 350 CID.