Found a lead on a decent priced LT1 I might use in my Caprice. Does anyone know if standard gen 1 small block headers and mounts will work on an LT1? I know the bell housing and clutch is the same as an 86+ Gen 1 but the front accessories are different.
In reply to Daylan C :
Headers yes.
Be careful with the flywheel: Internal versus external balance or something like that.
In reply to Indy-Guy :
The lt1 still has a t56 bolted to it. I was hoping to run it with the nv3500 already in my wagon and save the t56 for the GTA. I'll definitely look into that flywheel closer before I try it.
Daylan C said:Found a lead on a decent priced LT1 I might use in my Caprice. Does anyone know if standard gen 1 small block headers and mounts will work on an LT1? I know the bell housing and clutch is the same as an 86+ Gen 1 but the front accessories are different.
Mounts yes. Headers no. SBC headers will technically bolt up to an LT1, but the LT1's exhaust ports are about a quarter inch higher on the head relative to the bolt pattern, so using SBC headers will result in sigificant port mismatch.
Ok so either plan on hunting for LT1 headers or use the stock manifolds that come with the motor.
In reply to Daylan C :
If it is any consolation, LT1 manifolds are really good, as these things go. Make sure to use LT1 gaskets.
I like LT1s, but there's so much of them that is similar-but-different that they can be maddening.
Honestly I was just hoping the headers would work so I could be lazy and not redo the exhaust.
Could you just cut off the flange, and weld the gen 1 headers to an LT1 flange?
In reply to Appleseed :
Putting some down tubes and a y pipe together is probably less work that trying to cut up a cast manifold and weld primary tubes from a pair of long tubes into the it.
Oh, if you already have manifolds, you probably could grind the ports in the manifolds up. The iron used in exhaust manifolds may be a bit tough, though.
There used to be a good image online of the port differences. SBC exhaust ports are mostly centered in the bolt pattern, this is LT1:
Bottom is raised a little, top is raised significantly.
In reply to Knurled. :
Yeah it's a pair of long tubes that came with the car. I'll take a look and see if a grinder will fix this if I actually get the engine. I told the seller the quickest I can make it to him to pick it up is Friday but it's an unreasonably low price for an LT1/T56 combo so I'm not holding my breath.
Why not just slot the bolt holes in tbe existing headers downward to move the tubes up 1/4 inch relative to the ports? 20 minutes with a die grinder and done. Use sbc and lt1 gaskets to check fit/progress.
At least thats what i would try.
Also, i love an lt1. Such a GOOD sbc.
Probably look at them when the tbi motor in my truck dies.
Daylan C said:In reply to Knurled. :
Yeah it's a pair of long tubes that came with the car. I'll take a look and see if a grinder will fix this if I actually get the engine. I told the seller the quickest I can make it to him to pick it up is Friday but it's an unreasonably low price for an LT1/T56 combo so I'm not holding my breath.
Call in to work with anal glaucoma. They're closing anyway, so why save the pto?
In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :
Solid point if I'm honest.
Daylan C said:In reply to Appleseed :
Putting some down tubes and a y pipe together is probably less work that trying to cut up a cast manifold and weld primary tubes from a pair of long tubes into the it.
No, I meant cut the flanges of the SBC headers. Buy or have someone cut steel flanges that fit the LT1 heads. Then weld the SBC pipes on the LT1 flange.
In reply to Appleseed :
I'll see. I might even find a set of ok LT1 headers since they did offer the LT1 in later versions of this chassis and they didn't change the platform much.
I remember back in my 9C1 days, headers that fit the LT1 from any of the big companies were non-existant. The ones that did fit were very low volume and extremely expensive.
In reply to Appleseed :
Looks like I'm hacking header flanges or building a y pipe then.
Knurled. said:I like LT1s, but there's so much of them that is similar-but-different that they can be maddening.
I always said that the LT1's biggest weakness was the existence of the LS engine. If the LS engine hadn't come along and replaced it so shortly after it was introduced, I think the LT1 would be a lot higher regarded. It was pretty brilliant in some respects.
I'm pretty sure it will work. LT1 manifold were a popular upgrade for sbcs for low clearance applications. It may not be perfect but my understanding was even a square port sbc header will cover the LT1 d port.
The best place to check would thirdgen.org. the chassis originally came with a sbc and many people upgrade to LT1. I think there consensus was it may not be perfect but it works. Id reccomend doing some quick searching over there
The budget headers for lt1 b bodies used to be the flowtech 2nd gen camaro afterburners. It’ll likely seal, you’ll just give up some smooth flow.
If you’re at like $1500 or less it’s too good to pass up. The transmission is 90% of the value, I couldn’t give away a low mile lt1 a few years back and it got scrapped.
NickD said:Knurled. said:I like LT1s, but there's so much of them that is similar-but-different that they can be maddening.
I always said that the LT1's biggest weakness was the existence of the LS engine. If the LS engine hadn't come along and replaced it so shortly after it was introduced, I think the LT1 would be a lot higher regarded. It was pretty brilliant in some respects.
That and the glass wristpins.
And the front dress that was like a Mogwai. If you got it wet, you got a lot of gremlins.
In reply to Knurled. :
Ehh it's a little overblown, Ive pressure washed every LT1 I've owned or worked on, vented and non vented Opti, it hasn't caused an problems that wouldn't have also happened on a normal distributor equipped vehicle
Knurled. said:NickD said:Knurled. said:I like LT1s, but there's so much of them that is similar-but-different that they can be maddening.
I always said that the LT1's biggest weakness was the existence of the LS engine. If the LS engine hadn't come along and replaced it so shortly after it was introduced, I think the LT1 would be a lot higher regarded. It was pretty brilliant in some respects.
That and the glass wristpins.
And the front dress that was like a Mogwai. If you got it wet, you got a lot of gremlins.
I imagine if the 2nd-gen had lasted a bit longer than it's 5-year shelf life (and I imagine not too much R&D was going on with it the last year or so as they were working on the LS1) they might have ironed out those issues.
Opti said:In reply to Knurled. :
Ehh it's a little overblown, Ive pressure washed every LT1 I've owned or worked on, vented and non vented Opti, it hasn't caused an problems that wouldn't have also happened on a normal distributor equipped vehicle
I've had the opposite of that luck.
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