Ok, guys; 3 blocks up, 3 blocks junk! I now have a '94 LT1, low miles @ the machinist, should be good...(pray). I will be going w/eagle forged 383 stroker set-up w/Lt4 intake & AFR 195 LT4 heads. My machine shop says need elec. w/pump to use sbc timing set, Lt1's are cra*! However, I'm thinkin the optispark is also a problem point, what if I have LT1intake.com mod an LT4 intake for me & use a TPI HEI dist w/this set-up, Accel Gen7 DFI controlled.... will this work?? Kinda backwards on his mod, dist. into LT1 block stead o' other way round, but...PUHLEEEEEZE, TELL ME THIS WILL WORK!!!!!!:hail:

It'd work.

You might also consider leaving the Opti in place, and adding an LTCC CNP or Delteq DIS system instead.

FWIW, I don't think the Opti is really that bad IF you use the final GM version (i.e. as found on the '95-97 F-body and all B-bodies) and ensure that the vent tubes aren't blocked or kinked. The earlier style Opti isn't adequately vented, and is much more prone to troubles from moisture buildup.

I've seen the delteq system, but what is the other you mention? Also, can the optispark be used w/a dbl. rllr. timing set as long as you use elec./wp.? I apprec. the help, this lt-* stuff is all new to me...

Bob Bailey's LTCC allows you to use eight individual coils, like the LS1. I have one on my '96 Impala. It's a little less plug-n-play than the Delteq, but the results are worth it IMHO.

The LTCC is sold by Full Throttle Speed
http://www.fullthrottlespeed.com/

I don't agree with your machine shop about the LT1 timing chains being crap, although I do prefer to upgrade from the stocker if the front cover is off. IMHO, the LT4 8mm roller is OK for moderate performance apps, and the GMPP 1/2" Extreme Duty single roller (made by Cloyes) will handle just about anything you can throw at it. Only disadvantage of those timing sets is that they're expensive compared to regular SBC parts. (like $100 for the LT4, and $250 for the Extreme Duty set)

You can use a regular roller cam SBC timing chain if you commit to using an electric WP. A double roller will fit if you're not using OBDII. Reason being, the OBDII LT1's ('96-97) have a 4X crank sensor that takes up a little room on the crank snout, so if that is in place, a double roller won't quite fit. However, you can use the GM 1/2" single roller chain from the ZZ4 crate engine with the reluctor in place.

Just to whet your appetite, and steer this thread back towards something ECM-related, here's a picture of my LTCC setup.

If you're going to spend the $$ on the DFI system, you may wanna take a look at the Dual Sync distributor as an Optispark replacement. However, I don't know if it would support the LTCC setup or not.