LT1 or miniRam Gen1 ?

[c4racer]

I am picking up an early Camaro - most of the work is already done, suspension is dialed, paint is done, interior is 90% good, main items I need to address are manual trans conversion and adding more power. The car currently has a 12K mile LT1 / 4LE60 combo. Motor is stock except for the LT4 HOT cam. Makes ~375hp at the moment. My goal is 450hp.

Options on the power side include adding cam and heads to the existing LT1 stock shortblock, or dropping in a complete 355 Gen1 motor w/ miniRam that I had built for a C4 road race car project that I decided to sell before finishing. I've done the math and it actually works out to be cheaper to use my 355 motor once factoring in selling off parts from that vs. selling off the complete LT1 / 4LE60 combo w/ wiring harness and ECM. Both motors could easily make my 450hp goal and be perfectly streetable. But with the Gen1 motor I would have some nice things, since I already have them.

Gen1 motor uses Dart Pro1 200cc heads. They flow close to the LT1 ported heads I would use if I stick with the LT1 motor. Cam on the Gen1 motor is a solid flat-tappet, probably would go down 1 cam size from my race cam to a 236/242 with .533/.550 lift. I would run a similar sized hyd roller in the LT1. Solid cam might be slightly better for MAP signal, but downside is quarterly or at least couple time per year valve adjustments. That doesn't bother me in the least, however.

A few advantages I can see to using the Gen1 motor:
- all forged bottom end, strong manley rods, 4 bolt main block, race prepped machine work and tolerances
- no opti to crap out on me
- more options down the road for future motor combos
- parts are generally more available and cheaper for Gen1 stuff
- already have a nice billet AL flywheel
- canton RR pan

I can't really come up with an advantage to the LT1 other than it would be easier since it is already in the car. Gen1 motor means wiring in a new TPI based engine harness and I would use a 730 ECM.

Sorry if I am skewing this towards the Gen1 motor. Can anyone come up with a reason to stick with the LT1 that I haven't considered?

[c4racer]

oh forgot to add - car will be a street car.

But, since it does have a 4-point roll bar.... It might see some road course action from time to time when I want to give my normal track car a break

[Samckitt]

My $.02 would be to use the mini ram motor that you have had already build. If the motors are built the same, what would be the difference? One has a "distributor" on the front, & the other is in the normal location. I have heard bad stories about the opti going out & then it costs upwards of $500 for a new one. Not had the problem myself yet. Then the other difference is the coolant flow, the LT1 goes to the heads first & then down the cylinder walls. It draws heat better from the heads than convential small blocks. But is it really worth that much? Besides the motor is already build.

Scot

[SStrokerAce]

I do a lot a LT1 work and I think you are right what you have in the 355 is a better deal for you.

Bret

[c4racer]

Plus I've managed to avoid the LT1 up to this point, why break that streak??

I really love the LSx motor - I have had 3 vehicles so far with that engine - Suburban, Z06 and a CTSV. If the car had that motor, no way I'd change it.

But considering all the spare parts not to mention knowledge I have on the Gen1 and TPI systems, seems like the way to go for this car. The heavy lifting has been done on the car with a EFI fuel system and all new main wiring from Painless, so swapping to a TPI engine harness and ECM should be pretty easy. That way I can also do the engine / trans swap all at once - probably over this winter.

Thanks for the sanity check guys.

I'll keep everyone posted on the progress and send some pics of the car when I get it - probably 4-6 weeks from now.

[WS6]

Optis do not cost that much. Scot if you ever have problems get in touch with me and I will pass some numbers on to you for GM optis.

With that said, I must say I am a huge LT fan. I love these motors and their under dog status. I would use that 355 you have though. It's built and ready to go. It also looks kickass with that miniram sitting on top. There's just no reason not to use it. If it was my decision to make, I'd still choose the 355 even with my love of the LT motors.

[Samckitt]

Trey,
I think that was for the price of an aftermarket unit from MSD. I thought it was around $500 So far so good. But then again I haven't had it running for a few years. I WANT TO DRIVE IT AGAIN!
Thanks,
Scot

[c4racer]

the opti's sure seem like a pain in the butt to swap, however.....