Are the LT1's and LS1's long blocks or short blocks? I've always known them to be short blocks, been hearing that these motors were also built as long blocks. For instance I'm looking to buy a rubuilt LS1 but it's listed as a long block. Does anyone have the real scoop on this?

Edited later:
(I really mean small or big blocks ) I guess I just could have edited this but it's too funny.

 

Long or short block doesn't refer to the type of motor. If I remember correctly a short block is just the block and bottom end components. Whereas a longblock is heads and intake also. Terms mostly used when buying and selling engines.

 

I meant small or big block. Sorry!

 

lt1`s and ls1`s are small block engines, the lt1 is a 350 ci, and the ls1 is a 346 ci!

 

Long Block: Engine with heads and valvetrain
Short block: Engine without heads and valvetrain

Small Block: Chevy engine with small bore, typically 4.155 inches and smaller, with typical cubic inch displacement between 262 and 406 CID, with production starting circa 1955.

Big Block: Chevy engine with big bore, typ. 4.25 inches and larger, with typical cubic inch displacement of 396 CID to 502 CID, with production starting circa 1962, IIRC.

The current procudtion LS1 isn't really either a small block OR a big block. It is a newer generation V8 that really doesn't share any common parts from the more traditional Chevy V8's.

The LT1 is based on the small block chevy, though with significant modifications to make it an not-quite parts interchangeable to previous smallblocks. Mostly in the area of coolant flow and distributorless ignition.

 

I knew that the LT1 was based on a small block, thats why I question whether or not it was produced as a big block. At least I'm pretty sure thats what I read. Thanks for the clarification.

 

SO since you are saying you know what a long block is, i assume in your original post that you meant they have LS1's listed as big blocks. please do tell where you found that listing.

 

A rebuilt LT1 for $1,500. Would YOU tell anyone where you found it? Probably not. Anyway, it's listed as a big block (obviously its an error), and it reminded me of a question that someone had asked in the exact same wording as I used (minus the mix up!) in a Camaro Performers Magazine (or GM High Tech) and the answer the editor gave wasn't quite clear until now.

 

I'm not sure that a rebuilt LT1 is exactly a super screamin' deal at $1500 unless it's got performance aluminum heads on it, or something. Regular ol' LT1 rebuilds are available at Autozone for something like $1750, IIRC, complete with warranty.

I'm not trying to discrespect you, but my gut feeling in reading this thread is that you need some additional help in choosing your motor. Otherwise you might end up spending a whole lot more money than you realize just to pull off a project that nets you a very modest performance gain. Or worse yet, You may even end up buying the wrong motor! You keep mixing up the terms and that makes me somewhat leery as I'd hate to steer you in the wrong direction, and find out you spent thousands of dollars on an unworkable combination.

First off, what are you wanting to do? Do you already have a car with a bad engine? If so, what is the year of the car, and what engine does it currently have? Are you looking to upgrade to a different type of engine? What do you want to do with it? Tow it to the track on a trailer and race it? Make an extreme street cruiser? Make something reliable that's just a little faster than stock? Or do you have something else in mind?

I suggest you ask these questions in a different thread, and get some opinions on what kind of engine you should be looking for. Lots of people on this forum have gone this route, and will have some realistic thoughts on prices and budgets. $1500 is a lot of cash to throw into a LS1/LT1/Long Block/Big Block, and right now I have no clue what kind of engine you are really looking at, or if it's even the right one for your car. We'd better back up and try again from the top.

Best of luck,
--Dan

 

Stop trying to make it sound like you meant to say something, you are just making yourslef look foolish.

" For instance I'm looking to buy a rubuilt LS1 but it's listed as a long block. Does anyone have the real scoop on this?

Edited later:
(I really mean small or big blocks "

The listing was listed as a long block LS1. Dosent sound like a screw up. The first step in learning is to be honest with what you know.

I actually once thought that a long block meant big block too. I learned, and know I know, no need to make excuses.