LT1 vs SBC What’s the Difference?
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- čas přidán 26. 08. 2024
- I get asked this question a lot and many people say it’s the same as a typical Small Block Chevy ( SBC ). The correct answer is Yes and No. So, for this video, I answer that question. What’s the difference?
SBC intake on an LT1
• LT1 single plane intak...
Nitrous LT1 Build series
• Nitrous LT1 SBC Teardown
#LT1 #VS #SBC
I got tired of giving history lessons on the SBC motor line on how the LT1 is different from the rest of the SBC's. So I made this video. I have an LT1 and an SBC but I sure won't call my LT1 an SBC no matter what you say. Enjoy Like and subscribe... Or call me a fool I don't care. Cheers 🍻🍻
You know it's truly mind boggling when so many so called "EXPERTS" don't even know half of what you described in the video.
Good job of "splainin" the not so subtle differences between a 90's LT-1 and a SBC. Like you I have owned both (I still have my 70 Vette 350 with the Aluminum Heads that was a special order only package I believe in the 70 SS Chevelle don't quote me on that I could be wrong, I know where mine came from because my wife and I cut it from a wrecked Corvette in a Salvage Yard in Nebraska and the odometer on the Vette read just over 1400 miles and when we tore down the Engine to inspect it it looked just like new inside...the original factory crosshatch in the Cylinders and the lack of Carbon deposits on the Piston tops and Combustion Chambers of the GM Aluminum Heads was all we needed to see.) We did pull the pan and inspect every rod and main bearing set but they also showed really no wear at all so we put all new gaskets and swapped out the factory cam and lifters for a much better one and we just this last summer put 75,000 miles on the Engine since we put it in our Street/Strip 72 Rally Nova that we restored to it's good as new condition a couple of years ago. The only difference in it is the drive train....the engine of course, and the M-22 close ratio original Muncie Rock Crusher with face plated gear set that comes complete with the 2nd generation of the original Mr.Gasket in line Vertical Gate Shifter, a twin disc clutch, Blow proof Steel bell housing, After market Custom Drive Shaft, And complete Moser built 12 bolt GM rear Differential with 4:10 gears and we re did the back half for a full frame job and wheel Tubs to accommodate the Micky Thompson rear tires and wheels....it's a pro street car that runs legit 9.50s in the 1/4 mile on one shot of juice....we can spray 2 shots but that puts us into the 8.90 class and that's just too much for a little old street car that still is a real honest street car.
@@IRONHORSE427RACING what started all this was that the LT-1 and LT1 or Chevy small bock are not all small blocks
not what fits or doesnt etc etc or what is better or where the wires or distributer or coil go
i have my battery in the trunk does that make my engine into a turbine or an airplane
you lost me with your story lol lol lol
end of the day they are small blocks
you are right so mind boggling how much so called experts know lollol lol
@@mauricioiaz.1044 We agree to disagree. I say you build something on your channel and actually contribute to the car community. Stop typing and start building.
Regardless, the Lt1 and Lt4 ARE 2nd generation small blocks. There's no getting around that.
@@TPVPRO how does a head not fitting make an engine no longer part of a family that the creators say it belongs to. That's like saying that because my mkiv heads wouldn't fit an a mk1 348 or 409 means that a 396/ 402 or 427 or 454 aren't big blocks. An lt1,4 and 5 are all sbc. They are just part of the second generation. And while there are idiots that say all SBC are the same and there wrong you cant change the fact that it is undeniably genuine small block chevy
Most annoying thing is that the reused the same name again for the new LT1-LT4 so I have to refine my searches.
I blame GM for using the same code 3 times.
The reuse the same code quite a bit, but YEARS apart. If you now how to filter your search, and know what you are looking for, its not that bad.
when i hear LT1 i think of that damn optispark..
Don't forget about the 454 in the Chevelle's being called the "LS6"...
People forget or just don't know the 1970-1/2 camaro could be ordered with a hot 350 called an lt1. There were also ls5 and ls6 engines in chevelles and you could order an ls7 for racing. All were 454ci unlike the gen 3 corvette engines.
maybe chevy should stop naming different engines the same thing.
I mean, the engines are produced decades apart. And they are not names, LT1 LS1 etc are codes.
Talk to Chrysler about their HEMI or Ford's new 5.0 for the Mustang.
I think you have the names and liters confused
@@peterdarr383 we difference the ford by saying 5.0 DOHC / modular or 5.0 Pushrod (OLD STYLE)
Youre not really that smart are you. Very low in the Iq level for car world.
The LT1 Generation 1 92-97 is a 350ci small block. The LT1 used a reverse-flow cooling system which cooled the cylinder heads first, maintaining lower combustion chamber temperatures and allowing the engine to run at a higher compression than its immediate predecessors. Never the less is a SBC
So if someone asked you what you had in a 1996 Camaro,you'd tell them it' a 350 small block?
They may not know what the car came with,they may not know what size engines they put in them,so if you tell someone that it's a SBC then you are ignorant.
@@rollin19 I say "it's just like a small block chevy with a few oddities like fuel injection and reverse cooling"
If they're a gearhead themselves and they want to know more, I'll tell them more like the optispark etc and how reverse cooling helps.
It's a SBC in the sense that it's a small-block and it's a Chevy engine.. so you are technically correct. (the best kind of correct).
But it's also like saying your Silverado has part time "all wheel drive." As in, you can put it in a mode where all the wheels are driven wheels.
It's like... Well, _yes,_ but there's a way to make that much less ambiguous with a little colloquialism...
@@nthgth Big difference IMO. Your silverado is 4 wheel drive with selectable rear wheel drive.
LT1 and SBC use the same heads (if drilled for reverse or standard flow cooling), same crank, rods, pistons, oil pan, valve train, ....intake can work on either. Same bolt pattern for the headers/exhaust manifolds.
Really the only differences are:
Reverse cooling.
The LT1 does not have the boss on the block for a mechanical fuel pump, though I don't think other late small blocks like the L98 or Vortech had it either.
Those are the only real differences. Everything else can be swapped interchangeable between them, but you can't always mix and match, ie you can't mix LT1 and gen 1 SBC accessories.
Actually, that is incorrect my good sir. The gen 1 LT1 is 70-72
Gen 2 is 92-97 and gen 3 is 2013- current.
Damn I just asked a question I didn’t think people would start arguing 😂😂. Very well explained
So, I worked in Summit Racing website department for years. I promise you that using Summit Racing’s website to justify your point is a very bad mistake. Categorizing or titling a party solely depends on who’s entering the part. There is so much human error it’s not funny. Also when some of these categories or attributes were created it was much easier to call it SBC and LT1. The correct way should be like how they are doing the LS motors now and calling them LS Gen 1, 2 and so on. Not to mention there are newer LT1 engines.
They were always categorized by generation. The original SBC is a GEN 0. After 1986ish, they are GEN I. The 92-27 LT1s, as was briefly mentioned in this video are GEN II. However "vortec" engines that were made into the 2000s are still GEN I engines. The LS1 and related engines, GEN III. There area GEN IV series of LS engines as well. The current "LT" based engines are GEN V. Its really not that difficult. The big kicker is, they are ALL SMALL BLOCK CHEVY engines lol.
Josh... you are so right! This guy is a joke. I would hate to let this guy come near my car. I only watched 1/4 of this video, pushed pause and headed straight for the comments to see who was closer to being correct. But, he does mention this video is based off his opinion. And like axxxxxxs, everybody has one.
didnt watch vid lmao
ya cuz every sbc has a opti spark right ? lmao
Good info. I knew the intake bolt patterns were different, but had never seen it illustrated. Also, I always thought the L98 heads and aluminum LT1 heads were the same apart from the coolant passages, so thanks for clearing that up!
Informative video. I thought the music was never gonna end
way too loud
Simple the LT1 is a second gen small-block engine that has reverse cooled heads
Samuel Plaunty And the original 1970 LT1 was simply a hot 350 ci small-block Chevy. And the new one is a direct-injected and otherwise improved LS.
This would lead me to believe you've never assembled a bottom end. (or looked at head design and flow numbers)
@@yzScott truth
@@yzScott the heads are literally aluminum vortec heads.
Come on man! Really
That's really good to know that the LT1 engine has a provision for a traditional style rear mounted distributor when you remove the intake plenum. I've always loved the LT1 engine, especially because they get no recognition anymore due to being overshadowed by the LS series engines. Thanks for showing that. I think GM knew enthusiasts would convert these engines to a carbureted version and see the opti-spark was a problem.
The block is a sbc 350 block with different valve train and reverse cooling.
@@Nowayjose-z2r it's a different block, extra coolant ports for the heads and different front casting for the cam driven water pump and optispark
The one thing I don't like is the boss for the mechanical fuel pump is gone. Not because I want to run a mechanical fuel pump, but because I wanted to run an A/C bracket, but it uses those holes.
the answer is yes, because of the 4.4 in bore space, as with EVERY sbc from '55 to now
Actually it was 4.4 inches up till the LS, which was designed using CAD in metric measurements and it isn't exactly 4.4 inches. It's effectively the same though.
@@taylorc2542
So what is the bore spacing then? 4.400 is equal to 111.76mm. Did GM go to 112mm (4.409). Or did they go down to 111.5mm which would be 4.390. That's close to heresy as it is close to a Ford SB. I can't see the design engineers using odd metric figures as let's face it. Engineers are as lazy as everybody else.
SBF 4.380
Infinity V-8 112mm
And if we just go by bore centers a Chevy inline 6 is 4.400
Bore spacing is a dumb reason to consider things the same engine or not.
And anyway, from Gen III on it's been the _GM_ small block, not Chevy.
man you have no idea how good it feels hearing someone else preach this. i have on my channel a small build video of my lt1 build. i know exactly what youre talking about and i have answered all these questions and even had people tell me i didnt know what im talking about. great video. and now im gonna subscribe.
You are talking about variations of the SBC, just the details differ. You can swap crankshafts, rods and pistons most valve gear and more. Some parts require ingenuity for a Hot Rodder to swap, but that's what it's all about!
....reverse cooling and one piece rear main. Mine has a 4 bolt main. The 383 stroker LT1 in my C4 has 24X reluctor based ignition system, true sequential injection, AFR heads, forged h beam rods, forged Wiseco pistons, skinny rings, etc, and so forth. Makes 425 whp and 434 wftlb with 365wftlb from 2k to 6.5k. I love it. The throttle response is instantaneous.
Gen 1s got one piece rear mains also
The Gen II LT-1, the most underrated engine ever!
Lt1s are a mix breed engine. I like the. Apart from the opti and that they mostly come in 4th gens. Mine is a pain in the ass to work on
very helpful video, thank you. I have an LT-1 in a car I purchased and have thoughts about swapping it out to a more traditional small block. I see now that with a few modifications, I don't have to go to that trouble and expense.
My 96 Roadmaster has an LT1. Love it
Mine does too! 94"
So does mine. It's a wonderful engine.
I'm a new subscriber to your channel! I'm a Ford guy at heart but I can tell you from experience that the Chevy LT1 is leaps and bounds above the Ford 4.6 or 5.0!!! My Z/28 has an interceptor block and ported and polished heads. I can tell you that this car is scary fast!! I have smoked every Mustang GT that I have raced. I am not going to say that I am completely a Camaro guy yet but I think it's coming!!! I'm in the process of removing the Optispark and going with the coil on cylinder set up like the LS configuration. I will let you know how it goes from here. God bless and thank you for your amazing content.
Very informative video, good comparisons between the two. I hope people figure out what to call it. I've never had a problem being specific. Good job.
Need more videos on LT1 cars dude 🙏
All the differences you've talked about it what makes it a gen 2. You repete that most of the stuff is "just a little bit different". If it was the same it wouldn't be a different generation though. The gen 2 SBC is an evolution of the gen 1 SBC and the proof is that the two have a lot of interchangeable parts or parts that can be adapted to work on the other gen. And you can't go by a Summit search description because it's set up for the average person who barely knows what kind of car they have.
By his logic a gen III LS and gen IV LS arent the same family. I dont understand...so what it has reverse flowing coolant for the heads, so what its tbi...the parts still fit in each other, which denote a familial relationship.
LT1 is just another evolution of the small Chevy. Just like the 87 an earlier had different intake bolt pattern. And different rear main seal. Just like the 67 era 327 has a crank case vent tube on back of the block next to distributor going into carb. Just like the 327 had a large main journal version that was available in the trucks. Just like the 55 283 had NO OIL FiLTER, and again had a different crank case vent tube that went along behind block and pointed and vented right on to the ground. The small block Chevy add various design changes throughout the years. LT1 was just another change
BEST ANSWER OF ALL BRIAN! It is just another evolution of the SBC. I bet many guys don’t realize that a stock 1986 up 305 crank is the closest in weight to an stock LT1 gen 2 sbc. Now what are totally different animals are the LS series up and are no way small block chevys. Completely different family tree.
I wish I could give this response 2 thumbs up! :)
@@eddielt1sl same family tree they are all considered gm corporate motors gen 1 and 2 are just considered the sbc gm corporate motors which is a fuck load of confusing mumbo jumbo for gm wants to confuse you
Hard to argue against that
Lol I’m a Master Barber with a 85 impala ss the hat with the hair had me fooled good informative video too
The only way to roll with a fuel injected lt1 is with a 24x setup. Or if you can find a old school deltaspark from bob Bailey. I must of changed 5 gm optisparks in the 7 years of owning my camaro.
My factory opti still going strong with 218k miles. I took it out at 180k because i was replacing the water pump seal and I replaced the cap and rotor while i was at it. It still runs the original optical sensor!
If you changed five Optispark's on your LT1 then you wasted your money. Optispark's are dead nuts reliable and typically last well over 300,000 miles. Try checking your negative ground connection or replacing your spark plug wires next time.
I'm glad I found your video. I hope you can answer a question for me. I need a replacement for my 97, 5.7 as it has 321k miles and is making ominous noises. Will a 86 383 be a viable block? I'm hoping so since it was already given to me. Help, it's been 25 years since I've done this before.
The lt1 valves spring seat retainers and locators are all differnt sizes from the sbc or ls heads even though when shopping you will find almost everywhere thinks they're all compatible, keep that in mind anyone shopping to rebuild
Tyler I used to run a LT1 back in the nineties, they are misunderstood motors,as usual they aren't status quo, but anyway check out the boys from here in NC,Tick Performance is setting records with a LT1 In a 90s Camaro called Grubbworm!
Tick Performance has the LT1 back on the map. “Misunderstood motors” That’s a great way to describe the LT1.
@@TPVPRO Yes,I loved them when I ran mine in a 95 Impala ss, I still have my 96 ss and the OEM LT1,hey Tyler I am from Maryland too,as a matter of fact I was born in Dorchester County Maryland! I live in NC now,love your content!
Love the Grubbworm!
It has many internal parts interchangeable with any previous SBC because it is a SBC. Reverse flow cooling. Changes very little when it comes to engine internals. Rods, Piston, crank,
what about the cam does it have to be an lt1 cam or and old school cam with the gear on it? thanks
LT1 is simply a RPO code. Would you call the L69 305HO a L69 not a small block chevy? It has differences from previous years, such as an aluminum intake. What about the L31 350? It has a completely different head design, which is based on the 90s LT1, but has standard cooling. However, you can't simply bolt a conventional SBC intake to it. By your reasoning, chevy hasn't built a small block since the 1950s. The design has constantly changed ever since then.
OK, maybe you can clear something up. I recently built a 383 LT1 for a kid. He had originally brought in a 4.3L that we had believed was an LT1. The heads were of of the 5.7L. But it did turn out to have a short stroke crank, and the block was a small bore. He decided to find a 5.7L block. Well once everything was all done and finished, I got to looking at the the castings and numbers on both blocks and everything is identical with the exception of the date codes. Are they the same casting, would you be able to simply take the 4.3L out to a 4" inch bore and have a fresh standard bore LT1?
4.3 is a v6 , never heard of a gm 4.3 v8
@chickenfoundation9323 maybe you know this by now but there was a "baby LT1" that was 4.3L. Had reverse flow cooling and optispark, and used the regular LT1's intake too so it's easy to mistake it at first.
Only used in B-bodies I think.
Engine code L99.
(Another one that's been reused by GM)
@@chickenfoundation9323 262ci
debating on swapping a 1994 lt1 into my 89 obs sierra anyone know if motor mounts are the same ?
or what all id need? im getting a damn near complete drive train
And reverse cooling system in the LT1
Frank Cox did you even watch the video
@@MegaMustangkiller what's the point of your Channel? You don't even have any content.
I've owned a '96 Z28 over 20 years(and still do), so I've got plenty of experience with the old Gen 2 LT1. It's design is based off of a SBC and some parts are interchangeable. However, there are enough differences as to why you should not consider the Gen 2 LT1 as a SBC in the classic sense. Speaking more genetically from '55 til now '20, many people refer to the Gen 1, 2, 3, and 4 motors as SBC. I understand why folks do this, but it's like trying to argue that a ZR1 and a Yugo are the same thing as they are both cars. Well yes, but we all know differently.
An LT1 is CONSIDERED a small block Chevy as it’s a small block that’s made by Chevy..it’s really that simple..don’t believe me? Call Chevy and ask them 😂
🤣 No, really? well you learn something new every day. My next video has how this will play out at LS fest.
TPV Productions Yea make sure you include how hard you get laughed at when you make your video 😂😂
Knowledge is knowing tomatoes are fruit, but wisdom is knowing not to include them in a fruit salad.
@@TPVPRO dude it literally is heavily and I mean heavily related to a sbc. Which the sbc in itself had many different revisions the gen 2 also had revisions that carried into the gen1 and the gen 1s had like 3 different intake bolt patterns etc etc. Education is important. You lack the knowledge of how engine architecture works. The lt1 is a sbc because it was always using the sbc architecture with modifications
@@turbojetpowered8299 the lt5 isnt considered apart of the small block family as it was a clean sheet design
What about the Vortec L31 & LT1 differences??
is there a difference in c5rankshafts, and if so, what is the difference. YHANKS for your response.
Outstanding content dude I don't know how I missed this channel I just happened to stumble across the 406 or technically 407 small block motor oh I'm going to check this guy's out and the mullet was period correct..🤣 peace bro
Lt1 is still a sbc that’s like saying the vortec is not a sbc because of the different bolts on the manifold
Thus, the popularity of the Vortec truck block.
This was helpful, thank you. I'm an older guy so get confused with anything newer than Gen l. Although I run Vortec heads on my Gen l SBC 305.
I buy from Summit and would recommend them but do find the search function to be very poor.
So to counter your argument on the summit search, if you are filtering by engine, select chevy then look at the listings. Your big blocks V6's all show in groups and low and behold Gen I through Gen V SBC engines. Gen I is everything V8 with a small block trans bolt pattern up to 1997 excluding the LT1(92-97). Gen II is the LT1 (92-97). Gen III and IV are the LS platform. This leaves Ger V the 2014- current LT platform.
Also for interchangeable parts, there are fewer specialty parts then there are shared parts. Just about all internal components from a one piece rear main seal SBC ( TPI and Vortec) are interchangeable. This includes the rotating assembly, oiling system, cam and valve train and as you showed you can even put the distributor in the back with a little engineering.
In short the LT was a way for the consumer to test new ideas for chevy while remaining a small block.
I need that hat since I am building a 3rd gen Camaro.... lol
Amazon mullet hat it should come right up.
Will the accessory belt drive from the LT1 (alternator, power steering, a/c) work on an L31 Vortec? Of course using an electric water pump. I like the cleaner look of the LT1 accessory drive vs the alt on one side and a/c on opposite side of motor
Thanks for the info. I knew some of that, but I learned a few things as well.
When he’s searching the heads I guess he didn’t notice that all the heads that pulled up after he searched for lt1 were genX heads not the 90’s lt1 heads
Kyle Mortensen time stamp ?
and they said lt1 small block chevy.
Maybe it’s been covered; or not!
As I try to understand what was being smoked during the lt1 production.
Can someone explain as based on what I see there’s no way to degree a cam on the Lt1 right?
Damn, what is a dyed in the wool Ford/Chrysler man watching this? Education, knowledge, and I don’t know why! So I sign off with a lot of all those infos. Great vlog, thanks for sharing. I’ll sub and high five.
I have a question I may get laughed at. I have a cast-iron head LT 1, if anyone can answer my question I would appreciate it. How much difference in Val size and combustion chamber is there between the cast on and the aluminum heads?
I’m still old school. It’s either a small block or big block. So the lt1 is a abc
Perfect I’m even more confused lol
Lmao dude me too
i have a question , why did you replace the heads valve covers on the LT1 ? and how much HP it gained after this build ?
So I got a question about the lt1 heads maybe I’m not paying close attention but did you have to do any welding to the lt1 heads for the water side ????
I have 1969 l46 original horsepower was 350, my moter has roller rockers aluminum heads and intake manifold. Long tube headers and flo master exhaust. How do you feel that would compare to a stock 1970 lt1?
I know nothing of the Lt1, I have a 350 small block in my car. A comparison of power output between a sbc and an Lt1 will be very interesting. I know that would be a little difficult to do. Thank you for a great video.
Nice tutorial and very nice engine but the Peace hand gesture is made with your palm - outward - (you gave the #2 hand gesture at the end of the video but, hey, it's the thought that counts). Check out Winston Churchill or Richard Nixon 🙂
can you make a video about 90s LT1 and 90s LT4 that came on corvets
LT1 L74 L82 etc... are RPO codes, what people do incorrectly is they ether forget or don't know that year model is the identifier on engines that are installed on the assembly line so an 1970 LT1 is certainly different than a 1990 LT1 but they both evolved from the same SBC blueprint they just had subtle changes as performance demands came along. so tell us the year of the RPO your referring too, that will help.
I put LS7 Lifters in my LT1. Its a premium replacement for the LT1. Lots of things you can do to the LT. Also have 24x ignition with a LS computer which also gets rid of the optispark. 450 Wheel HP 383
Me 2. 24x kit on a 96z28 and an F1 Procharger.
When you say cpu u mean the ecu? That’s interesting I’ve never thought of that. I was pondering on mod a sbc holly efi sheet metal intake to fit an lt1. Idk why the ls sounds so much different but I’m not a fan when compared to the sbc Ik they CAM make more power but I won’t be spending 15k to find out lol 450-500 on motor with a few kits for track action and I’m good. Well with the price of cheap China turbos maybe now is the time to test drive one
@@brandonharze2133 you can get LS Gen 3 computer to fit the LT1 wiring harness. It gets rid of the Optispark with 24x ignition system. Better tuning. Also the SBC has a different firing order than a LS. That's why I think it sounds better.
@@StickShiftMuscle righhhht! I didn’t think about firing order! I’m guessing the ls is more efficient but damn that only things beat the sound of a cammed small block with the right exhaust is a cammed rat with the right exhaust and man don’t get me started on adding in a slight blower whine wheeeeeew more to life than just power ie sound and TORQUE CURVE BABY
Great video!! Very little love for the lt1. Got one sitting outside for future project.
Small block chevy is a general term to dub the size of a motor's displacement, the engines all fall under "family's" which GM decided to name 'Generations' to categorize the major changes in the blocks as time went on. Gen 1(First V8 to be mass produced for almost all production Chevy cars/trucks. Also widely know and referred to as "Small block chevy". Mid 50's-Early 00's) , Gen 2 (Early LT, 90's), Gen 3 (Early LS, early 00's), Gen 4 (Modern LS, early 00's-10's), and now Gen 5 (Modern LT, late 10's-today) are all Small block due to displacement. With that however, the common expression that an LT (early) and SBC (general term for 50's-00's V8's or Gen 1) are the same mechanically is far from true. The parts are almost never interchangeable, and have little to coincide with each other. Finally saying that an LT (early) and SBC (general term for 50's-00's V8's or Gen 1) are both small-block [type of] engines are correct as they share relatively similar displacements in accordance with GM's appropriation of 'engine size'.
Um the lt1 and gen 1 1piece rear main have the same bottom ends pretty much slight revisions to top end and the front of the block that's the only differences.
How about you use the make model search on summit like summit intended? 🤣😂
Is it possible to run a gen 1 sbc cam in a lt1 engine and still use the tpi?
Is the bolt pattern for a transmission the same?
You missed something very important. 90s camaros, impalas, and some corvettes had Lt1 with optispark. The other corvettes have same tunnel ram efi but has hei distributor instead of optispark. It was factory on some the tunnel ram is machined at back for distributor but thats because corvette engine has more room between intake and firewall. You can also weld up area on camaro style and machine down for hei distributor. Also way back when discovered there was only one aftermarket manufactuer for the optical sensors wiring in optispark. Its a china company and they wire the 4 pins backwards. Doesnt matter autzone oriellys msd whatever brand the electronics are wired backwardass and burns out sensors soon as plug in. Except the original oem opti get one those clean up and engine is amazing power. Autozone pulled all there optisparks after i showed them proof of all the units wired backwards.
Also reverse cooling heads first is partly how they were able to run 60 degrees advance under cruize condition.
So it sounds like the lt1 is overall a better engine. But can I put an lt1 in a 97 silverado that had a 5.7 ?
What is the difference the crankshafts and main caps
Good video, I knew all this stuff already, but it was a good refresher. 😄👍🏻 I remember guys modifying LT1 heads to work on a gen 1 small block for heads up street car drag racing classes that required a factory cylinder head back in the late 90’s early 2k’s.
The production of this video is really good. So I agree with "how the LT1 is different" statement you make however I got interested in what GM thinks or at least thought..... Opened my GM Performance Parts Catalog from 2000. Under the Chevy Small-Block V8 section there are numerous parts listed for the LT platform. They did not designate or claim the LT platform was not a Small Block motor. Nevertheless, I think your video did a great job in demonstrating the differences GM implemented to improve the platform. Maybe you should do a video on the Big Block Chevy evolution from the 348 to the 8.1?
He wouldnt know how to do the big blocks that is a trail of how did gm fuck up the mark 4 block
Will a stock lt1 cam have a gear to drive the distributor when converting to carb??
Yes
The gear is still on the Lt-1 cam to drive the oil pump. It's just a shortened shaft and capped under the intake. If your going to a retro distributor, use a long magnet, pull it out. Slap on an intake or have your existing one milled to fit a distributor so you won't be dicking around with drilling or "bolt angle correction" shims. From my experience maintaining an entire fleet of Lt1 police cars, the opti-spark is pretty reliable so long as you don't let anything leak on it. If it was unreliable it wouldn't have been used in police cars. People let leaks go unchecked and it destroys the seals on a well sealed distributor and it's downhill from there. I much prefer it to the TBI in the 90's Caprices.
Totally cool, I agree with you, while the LT1 is still in the small block family (certainly not a big block), it is in its own category. I never thought of the advantages of the LT1 over the SBC, but you made some good points. And there is a minor plus you didn't cover, 21 degree heads. Chevy's attempt to get closer to the 20 degree SBF.
So what do u really gain by running a lt1 over a sbc
Could you modify a lt1 intake to use on a SBC 90s model?
Awesome tutorial. Hell keep the fake mullet lol... My 94 Pontiac Trans am has the LT1. Which I'm in the process of building a mild street strip combo...
How can I tell if I have a gen 1 or 2 block?
Whew that PITA opti spark stuff but the rest is very good factory performance stuff :)
there are 3 lt1s. Gen I, II, and V. gen I is a hi performace 350 in the 1970 c3 vette, gen II was in the C4, and the Gen V is in the Camaro and c7 stingray and grand sport
Correct! I would like to see 1 vs 2 sxs comparison. I basically want to see if an lt1 will make more power. I’ve seen 350 push 1000 hp with power adders. We won’t discuss how long they run in said condition for purposes of this discussion they made it down the track that’s a clean pass having to rebuild between passes is normal shitbox activity lol even funny cars have to do that it’s how u know your actually PUSHING the mf😂
So which one is better for doing a swap on a 1992 Chevy G20 van?
L98 or Lt1🤔🤔🤔🤔
I'm open to all options 😁👍🏿
I learned a lot Thanks for the video.
Can I turn my l98 motor into a lt1 in my 1986 corvette with the right parts .its been bored out to a 355 .
Yes, the heads are the most important parts though.
I love my Lt1!
Me too, I road course track mine all summer, been doing it for decades, one of the fastest cars on the track, anyplace we go.
The LT-1 was a small block engine produced by Chevrolet between 1970 and 1972. It was available exclusively in the (Corvette) and (Camaro) and was produced in relatively low quantities. It is regarded today as one of the greatest Chevrolet small-blocks, an engine that has been in production since 1955.
enough said
Lt-1 was an engine code not an engine platform, there was also a ls4 and ls6 454 but that doesn’t make an ls6 from a newer corvette a big block 454
great video ... your videos have got me motivated again to work on both of my 4th fbodys .. lt1 only for me
iv always simply assumed the difference was simply displacement, if its smaller than around a 400 its a small block, if its bigger its a big block..
Is the crank and cam the same as gen1 SBC?
That my friends is the Difference between an engine BUILDER, and an engine ASSEMBLER , this man BUILT his engine , vs some one who just assembles compatible parts
LT1 water pump bolts seem to rust bad.
Any tips for prevention would be appreciated.
Great content, keep up the good work & you’ll go far
The correct answer is Any I.C.E. V8 engine with a Bore center of 4.500” or less is a SMALL BLOCK….. PERIOD…! No matter who makes it or what cylinder head is on it. Just read the rule book for your favorite racing category’s. I love the modern muscle car era but the Cracker Jack car guys kill me. My father was the very first person to manufacture “Billet” Chrysler Hemi Heads for drag racing. In 1981. I have spent my ENTIRE life growing up and the working in Professional Racing. It’s how I make a living. The smartest guys I know are extremely humble because the more you learn about engines and automotive stuff. The more you realize there’s a lot more stuff to learn. We call it you don’t know what you don’t know syndrome. If you dedicate your self to pushing the boundary’s in performance or any form of auto racing. You realize most of what you assume or where told was correct gets proven wrong at some point. It’s extremely humbling. I’m very fortunate to have grown up and worked with some of the Smartest guys in the business. @ 16 I got my drivers license, My GED, & emancipated. All in one week. I wanted to prove I was not just my fathers son and moved to Indy to work on the Rug Doctor Top Fuel Funny Car. We where the first Funny Car to break the 300 MPH barrier in the 1/4 mile. Over the years I have realized there are 2 types of people. The super smart guys that over think it and try to tell the race car what to do🤦♂️ and the legitimately smart guys that perform well because they just listen to the car and give it what it wants. I started legitimately working on race cars when I was 9 or 10. I assembled most of my fathers customer engines by 13. I drove my father nuts as a child constantly asking “why” every thing did what it did🤯 because I wanted so bad to learn. I soon found out on my own. That more times than not you never truly know why in Auto Racing and the only answer is because that’s what the race car wanted. I love learning on CZcams it’s a great platform and helps me fix almost anything. Just beware of the people that think they have all the answers because in auto racing the only time you really understand😔 is when your proven wrong lol. The few things we know for certain are almost always what NOT TO DO😂🔥🔥💸💸💸💸💸💸💸. Best way to make a small fortune in Racing is…….. To start with a large one🦾😎. I have wanted to produce high performance & auto racing informational content for a long time. I haven’t because even with all my REAL WORLD Racing experience it’s extremely hard to know with out doubt what’s right. It’s like modern Science where every one is positive they are correct right up until eventually proven wrong at some point.
I made it 2 minutes into the video and was done. Yes there are generation differences with small block Chevy's just like there are with Fords. Summit Racing has nothing to do with anything. They are doing what they do to easily identify this generation/version of SBC. I'm a Ford guy but if memory serves me LTI 1's were externally balanced because Chevy added a 1 piece seal to try and slow down all the leaks. This may have happened in the generation before this. The Intakes were run dry just like Ford Clevelands and I think they redirected the water or something. Reverse flow. I remember they did something weird with the distributor too because they were hell to get to. The LT1 is simply a long long overdue update on an SBC engine platform. Differences yes but not as many as you think. The LS now, that's not a small block Chevy at all. It's more of a small block Ford.
I have a 94 firebird formula. I got rid of the opti and installed the LS style coil packs
Adam Weaver I’m wanting to go with a TorqueHead kit on my 95 Z28 but I don’t have anyone to tune my car afterwards. Hard to find a good tuner for LT1 cars
chico suave you'll actually need someone that's good at tuning LS cars bro, it's an LS PCM conversion, it doesn't know which engine it's controlling ya know what I mean? With the LS PCM conversion you actually have more tuning options and you can always start with a good mail order tune.
viciousrap700 okie dokie yo! Thanks for taking time to educate me. I always like learning more about cars. I honestly didn’t know that.
chico suave Np man, like I said, if you now have the LS PCM you have a whole new world of options! Good luck and enjoy!
@@chicosuave2966 does that use an OBDII computer flashed for a ls engine? If so thats what i had to use and i had to buy an hp tuner as well. SA Design has a book called how to build max performance lt1 that has a good bit of info on the procedure and they have a book on how to upgrade to and use gm ls style ignition. There are forums with iou nfo on the 24x system thay might be helpful.
Your information was great, not sure why you lead with the summit racing search argument though. Everything else was fine though,
What did u plug ur timing cover with
Sbc gen1-5:
1. sbc,
2. 90's Lt,
3. LS gen 3
4. LS gen 4
5. LT
It is easy to infer that the 90's lt motor is a gen 2 sbc from everything that chevy has ever said about the sbc lineage. It's not even up for debate.
The 70's LT should be discussed more. That was the outlier to the sbc.
What's a ZZ4 fall into?
Its an old school SBC.
A straight gen 1 even tho its using the gen 2 style block in many respects.
Seat of the pants... owned a '89 Formula 350 L98 and a '94 Corvette LT1. For the most part the Firebird was much faster. It was an animal on the road... 110 passing two semi trucks and no taking it's time. Power from 2000 to 4500 rpm. Extreme care required on wet roads as just thinking about the throttle spun tires. Vette about 100 going around two trucks. Does not even seem powerful until it revs past 5000 rpm. Just my 2 cents from having owned and driven those motors. Everyone loves the vette look but the bird was far more comfortable.
yo i say it all the time i love your channel that intro GEEEEKED me
I'm converting a LT1 so what distributor do I use in the back.. and do I take the oil pump drive out to install the distributor
So a lt1 crank will fit a gen 1 block as long as it's a 1 piece rear seal? Is the harmonic balancer interchangeable?
I just picked up a Corvette LT1 complete with computer and transmission.....I am undecided to run engine as EFI as is or do as you did with intake....how difficult was it to convert to standard distributor?