questions on engine rebuild - North East F-Body Association

frankzlt1 · #1 05-28-2011, 10:24 PM

I was going to rebuild my engine(I no its an lt1) but not spend a ton on money. I would like to keep my heads and intake possibly change the tb but not going really big on hp. I was hoping to get about 350-400 range if possible. The engine has over 100,000 on it now. Its a4 has I believe is 323 gears and a 2800 stall the car gos good but lookin for a little more bag for the buck. The engine is completely stock even still has emission crap on it. I have an obd1 programmed ecm in it now and I notice a difference between obd2 stock ecm. Just lookin for some ideas thanks everybody.

Formula413 · #2 05-29-2011, 01:07 AM

I'm assuming you mean 350-400 crank hp not wheel? If you're gonna tear it all down might as well put a decent street friendly cam in there, there's some good options out there for an LT1. Add a 52mm TB, headers/exhaust and maybe roller rockers and you will be making about the power you're looking for. Make sure you have someone who will tune it before you change any internals though.

*LS1* Queen · #3 05-29-2011, 01:58 AM

do u want it fast or do u just want the big hp numbers? u need a better stall and gears thats the number one thing with any automatic.u can add a cam, heads, or any other big hp mods but ur converter is going to hold the car back big time

BOTTLEDZ28 · #4 05-29-2011, 02:10 AM

How much money do you want to spend? Thats the big question.

Slowhawk · #5 05-29-2011, 10:16 AM

Problem is to get it running right after the work.

Truthfully, probly cheaper to but the LS motor I have for sale and swap a LS harness. It would gain the power,drive mint and have alot more future potential for more power.

black heartbeat · #6 05-29-2011, 12:39 PM

^^^I'd take advantage of the LS that Don is selling. They just behave much better after being modded plus you have that unique aspect of having an LT1 car with an LS1 in it.

Grovlet · #7 05-30-2011, 08:39 PM

I thought swapping to an LS Engine means putting the LS1 front end on as the engine sits too high for the sloped LT1 front end....

Also probably means a new ECU and a bunch of wiring changes.....

I would talk with Golen Engines about your plans. I've heard they build nice setups...

ILuvPizzaTimes10 · #8 05-30-2011, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grovlet

I thought swapping to an LS Engine means putting the LS1 front end on as the engine sits too high for the sloped LT1 front end....

Also probably means a new ECU and a bunch of wiring changes.....

I would talk with Golen Engines about your plans. I've heard they build nice setups...

sorry but i strongly disagree with golen. ive seen more then a handful of there junks come apart and there prices are Outrageous!!

Now getting it to run right and money are 2 different things. Go 24X from EFI Connections. it Can be done if your doing most all the work for 1200 bux. sounds like a lot. BUT dumping 3500ish into a decent LT1 rebuild. and then blowing it up cuz no one can tune the fucking thing just seems like a dumb idea.

http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonnection/24x.aspx

if not dont bother with power and LT1 or a rebuild. save up till you can afford ALL that you need. this way you dont get fucked in the end. Thats my 2 cents. after being there and doing that with a car that now makes 385rwhp. and wen i started AFTER almost 10 grand it made 245rwhp.

Grovlet · #9 05-31-2011, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILuvPizzaTimes10

sorry but i strongly disagree with golen. ive seen more then a handful of there junks come apart and there prices are Outrageous!!

Now getting it to run right and money are 2 different things. Go 24X from EFI Connections. it Can be done if your doing most all the work for 1200 bux. sounds like a lot. BUT dumping 3500ish into a decent LT1 rebuild. and then blowing it up cuz no one can tune the fucking thing just seems like a dumb idea.

http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonnection/24x.aspx

if not dont bother with power and LT1 or a rebuild. save up till you can afford ALL that you need. this way you dont get fucked in the end. Thats my 2 cents. after being there and doing that with a car that now makes 385rwhp. and wen i started AFTER almost 10 grand it made 245rwhp.

Well to your point is it more of a Tuning issue vs. the build with the ones that blew up?? I don't see $3K as too bad for a shortblock, but your right without tuning it's gonna blow up no matter what

941LE · #10 05-31-2011, 08:49 PM

hes not the only one that has hear the stories coming from Golen. If you want to freshen up a LT1 and give it a little more power without losing the drivability of it i personally loved my CC304 cam that i had in my LT1. Ran on a stock tune and the car woke up too. You could even go with comps 305 cam and still be a decent driver. If you wanted to start going into the bigger power for the LT1. gm847 cam and the CC306 cam you'd have to do heads and a lot of work to spin the LT1 to make the power that that cam as. A cheaper alt would be the CC503 cam which has a great idle and can be run on stock heads but once again wont see the full power of it unless you get a good set of flowing heads, 1.6 rockers, ported intake and 58mm tb. All together making power, being able to get it tuned and then the drivability of it goin to a LS1 would be better in the long run. But again its all up to your budget and what you want in the end out of the car.