About to start my LT1 build, need opinions and suggestions

[slownova73]

ok, i got the 73' nova SS with a 96' LT1, converted to carb and HEI, this is the build plan i have to go underway through the winter. lemme no what ya think

SPECIFICATIONS: "Top End"
Air And Fuel Delivery: Holley 750 vacuum secondary carburetor, Modified Single plane intake manifold.

Cylinder Heads: aluminum "Trick Flow" 195cc intake runners, 54cc combustion chambers, 72c exhaust 2.02 intake valves 1.60 exhaust valves

Valve Train: "Comp Cams" "Beehive" valve springs, steel locks, and retainers
SCORPION 1.7 3/8 stud aluminum body rocker..(for sale or trade for 1.6's)
"Comp Cams" "Pro-magnum" hydraulic roller lifters, no pushrods yet, have to measure! "Comp Cams" lifter valley lifter hold down "spider" tray

Camshaft: "Comp Cams" "Xtreme Fuel Ijection" LT1 Hydraulic Roller Camshaft
292/300 advised duration 584/579 max lift 113 degree Lobe Seperation Angle

Timing Components: Cloyes Double roller timing chain, Stock timing cover, plugged optispark hole, plugged water pump gear drive hole

Exhaust: "Dougs" ceramic coated 1-3/4 Headers 3"collectors
2.5" exhaust tubing, "custom" mufflers now.. ( possibly SLP Loudmouth resonators??)

Ignition: MSD "Street Fire" 8.5mm plug wires, MSD Cap and Rotor Kit, MSD High output 4-pin HEI ignition module, MSD Digital-6 plus, "Comp Cams" composite distributor cam gear, Autolite Spark Plugs

SPECIFICATIONS: "Bottom End"
Block: Stock 2-bolt main, bored .30 over stock. srtoker clearanced 383 cubic inches
Rotating Assembly: Scat "Forged" 3.750 crankshaft, Scat "Forged" 6" rods, Scat "Forged" Pistons 10.5:1

Other Components: Meling High Volume Oil pump, Moroso deep sump oil pan, "TCI" 158 tooth (small) flexplate, "Proffessional Products" High RPM Harmonic Balancer

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=451618024&albumId=949701

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=451618024&albumId=370599

[Samckitt]

I guess my first question would be: Why use an LT1 block instead of a standard Chevy small block? I mean you are using aftermarket heads, intake, & a carb with standard distributor & getting rid of the LT1 style waterpump. Then second question is: Why then use a LT1 specific camshaft? At the point you are at with all the above changes the LT1 camshaft is not needed. A standard camshaft will work. Only thing special about the LT1 cam is the peg at the end is different to drive the optispark, and maybe the pattern of the lobs is special to run the fuel injection. You don't need either.

So unless you already have the LT1 block & you got a heck of a deal on it, find a standard block & use it. Was going to add that the LT1 carb intake was overr $400 but just checked summit & it has come down alot, it is now at $270.

[Samckitt]

Just looked at your pics, looks like you are pretty much on your way with it.

[slownova73]

Just looked at your pics, looks like you are pretty much on your way with it.

well i bought the motor as is in the pics for 1500$, all im doing is having a single plane intake fitted to it so it can take the rpm's the cam dishes out, im not getting rid of the water pump..i like the aggressive profile and sound of the xfi cam, im adding a new balancer, rockers,springs,timin chain, just some top end work, the above specs in the first post are what "will" be, its cheaper for me to build the LT1 instead of a standard SBC, i got a deal on this engine but ima make it a lil more to my style

[WS6]

Get steel main caps and runs studs. This will be plenty strong without the added expense of running splayed four bolt mains. You can spin it to 6500rpms with this setup as well. Also you might want to look into a different balancer/crank pulley.

Oh, do your research on the melling oil pumps. Make sure you do not get the crap ones. Even their high performance one is crap. They have some other design that is strong and it carries a new name. Do a search on it and you'll find a lot of info. Nearly forgot to tell you this.

[slownova73]

Get steel main caps and runs studs. This will be plenty strong without the added expense of running splayed four bolt mains. You can spin it to 6500rpms with this setup as well. Also you might want to look into a different balancer/crank pulley.

Oh, do your research on the melling oil pumps. Make sure you do not get the crap ones. Even their high performance one is crap. They have some other design that is strong and it carries a new name. Do a search on it and you'll find a lot of info. Nearly forgot to tell you this.

yea im gonna stud the bottom end, and i got this balancer for free practically.. and good thing i havent ordered the oil pump stuff yet, thanks for that info man

[Samckitt]

well i bought the motor as is in the pics for 1500$, all im doing is having a single plane intake fitted to it so it can take the rpm's the cam dishes out, im not getting rid of the water pump..i like the aggressive profile and sound of the xfi cam, im adding a new balancer, rockers,springs,timin chain, just some top end work, the above specs in the first post are what "will" be, its cheaper for me to build the LT1 instead of a standard SBC, i got a deal on this engine but ima make it a lil more to my style

When I said getting rid of the LT1 water pump, I meant how the LT1 specific pump is driven, off the cam instead of by a belt. But other than that I say run with it. I may look into those XFI cams. I have the 306 & it might be more high reving than what I need. Working on tuning it now, I'll wait till that is done to decide for sure.

[slownova73]

When I said getting rid of the LT1 water pump, I meant how the LT1 specific pump is driven, off the cam instead of by a belt. But other than that I say run with it. I may look into those XFI cams. I have the 306 & it might be more high reving than what I need. Working on tuning it now, I'll wait till that is done to decide for sure.

oh ok i gotcha, u confused me about the water pump thingy, ive heard good things about the 306 cam!

[Samckitt]

With the double roller timing chain you will have to convert the waterpump to electric. That is what I did.

You have heard things about the 306? I got it cheap & thought "what the heck it is not my daily driver". So I tried it. Low RPM cam surge is driving me nuts, but am in the process of getting the PCM reprogrammed so hopefully that fixes it.

[slownova73]

With the double roller timing chain you will have to convert the waterpump to electric. That is what I did.

You have heard things about the 306? I got it cheap & thought "what the heck it is not my daily driver". So I tried it. Low RPM cam surge is driving me nuts, but am in the process of getting the PCM reprogrammed so hopefully that fixes it.

its already an electric water pump, all i gotta do is plug the hole in the timing cover, and ill try to find a link for ya on that cam.....
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-modifications/1090844-lt1-camshaft-valve-train-selection-guide.html
talk about the 306 is in the second post in that thread, but do a search on ls1tech.com, there is alot! of talk on the cc306 cam on there

[WS6]

Here's info on the melling pumps.

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65870

[slownova73]

Here's info on the melling pumps.

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65870


great info thanks man!

[lt1chevelle]

why did u pick those heads? if i remeber right they are for motors with power adders or stroker motors? if i where u i would call lloyd elliot or advanced induction(i think thats what its called) tell them what u have and have them make u a custom cam that will work for what u plan on doing with the car

[lt1chevelle]

nm just noticed u have a 383

[slownova73]

nm just noticed u have a 383

yea lol, no prob, plus they were on the engine when i bought it

[Samckitt]

its already an electric water pump, all i gotta do is plug the hole in the timing cover, and ill try to find a link for ya on that cam.....
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-modifications/1090844-lt1-camshaft-valve-train-selection-guide.html
talk about the 306 is in the second post in that thread, but do a search on ls1tech.com, there is alot! of talk on the cc306 cam on there

Right now I am working with Solomon @ http://www.lt1pcmtuning.com/ to tune it and I will tell you that this cam is a high revver. I had it to 6k before I realized it & it was still pulling.

[slownova73]

Right now I am working with Solomon @ http://www.lt1pcmtuning.com/ to tune it and I will tell you that this cam is a high revver. I had it to 6k before I realized it & it was still pulling.

oh yea, that xfi292 im going with likes to be shifted at 6300-6500 lol, thats y im goin with the single plan intake mod, and that high rpm msd igniton module, it should be fun

[96Z28SS]

I had a cc306 cam in my LT1 it had GTP ported heads and 396 cu in and alot of other expensive parts.
It made just over 563hp 512tq

[slownova73]

I had a cc306 cam in my LT1 it had GTP ported heads and 396 cu in and alot of other expensive parts.
It made just over 563hp 512tq

those are the kind of numbers im shooting for!

[lt1chevelle]

pcmforless did my tune. but i would go get it dyno tuned before u really start beating on it i have heard some bad news about mail order tunes. plse u might squeez some more power out with a dyno tune, im running the gm847 cam in my lt1 and that think will rev forever lol

[slownova73]

pcmforless did my tune. but i would go get it dyno tuned before u really start beating on it i have heard some bad news about mail order tunes. plse u might squeez some more power out with a dyno tune, im running the gm847 cam in my lt1 and that think will rev forever lol

well i dont need a computer tune because mine has been converted to a carburetor! :smoke:

[lt1chevelle]

:doh:sorry when i think lt1 i think injected lol my bad.


well i dont need a computer tune because mine has been converted to a carburetor! :smoke:

[slownova73]

:doh:sorry when i think lt1 i think injected lol my bad.

oh thats fine dude, not many people even know you can convert an LT1 to a carb! alot of people that do say it isnt worth doing it, but i disagree:enguard:

[MonzaRacer]

As for me I have used LT4 HOT roller with 1.65 and 1.7 rockers for some serious roller engines I have built, W e made just over 500hp with it on 1.5 rockers and good AFR heads, Another with prepped AFR heads and 1.65 rockers and made 541hp.
Never tried it on desktop dyno with larger rockers yet.
Never expected to get such numbers from small cam but, dyno number dont fool me with present dyno operator.

[slownova73]

well, i dont want to use the 1.7s because the cam is already close to a 600. lift, and if i use the 1.7s i have to get rid of the beehives i already ordered and get new springs,retainer,etc..