Hey guys,

I'm putting my first LT1 together next month and pretty much have all the parts purchased with the exception of a few. Below is a list of what I have so far:

Eagle 4340 3.48" stroke crank
Eagle SIR 5.7" rods
Speed Pro forged .020 pistons
Total Seal rings
Melling High Volume pump & pickup
Full Comp valvetrain - solid roller cam 24x/25x .61x/.62x 110LSA, 1.6 RR, hardened pushrods, ETC
stock LT1 casting heads milled .120 ported w/ 2.0/1.6 valves
Intake is port matched to the heads
ARP bolts throughout
52mm tbody
MSD coil
10MM wires
BBK shorty headers (for now) dumped to a 3" bullet
A/C delete pulley
new 93 opti-spark (came with the car)

The donor car is a 93, which I have read is the worst. As I have a brand new ready to go opti-spark, I hate to change to a 94+ style, but can if that's the best route to take.

Anyways, my main question is, what are my options for timing set, am I stuck with running a stock set unless I am change to the 94+ front cover and opti?

Second question, is there anything I am missing, or should be doing in this build?

 

The 93 and 94 timing set and opti are the same,they changed in 95..If you can afford it get a GM OPTI,and the Msd cap and rotor,which will allow you to vent the opti.

 

I am running one of these in my 95. Met a guy at a car show with an LT1 impala who swore by it and had 60k miles on one of these without an issue. Not cheap at $600 (versus probably $400 for GM) but it gives you the venting on the early style opti and if it does fail, the rebuild charge is $36. (Also took awhile, 4 months from order). Not many miles on mine but it is a well made piece, since you are in build mode anyways, time might not be an issue.

http://www.dynaspark.net/

 

Thanks for the replies. My main concern right now is the timing chain as it needs to be replaced, but there does not seem to be a wide selection for the early style opti cars. I mean I can simply replace the chain itself, but im not sure its going to stand up well to the abuse it will be receiving with this build and the car usage.

 

I am using a stock replacement timing chain set,and motor sees 6700 rpms no problem

 

I see, misunderstood your op. Had not thought about that problem but looks like one more reason to convert to the vented opti design.

 

I haven't had the heads flowed yet, so I'm not 100% sure where the power curve will end, but Comp thinks ill make power to around 7200 or so. The car is gonna be a set up primarily for NASA / Road Racing