I want to put LT1 heads on my 355 SBC Gen 1. I've read it's possible with some special plugs, and cooling modifications. I'd like to go to the LT1 intake as well in the future, but $$$ precludes fuel injection. I just want to dump these ported 305 heads off my motor.

I want to stress that I want to keep my 750 carb and current manifold. I just need to know whether I use LT1 head gaskets, and where the plugs go, and where the coolant is routed.

Thanks.

 

why dont you use vortec heads and save some money and perform just as well..
Shawn

 

See, I don't understand the Vortec head logic. Here's my problems with it:

1. Vortec heads need machining & other stuff ($$$) to support big cams, like .550+ lift. Plus they need screw in studs.

2. Vortec heads need a special manifold, and on top of that can't easily be converted to multi port fuel injection.

3. Vortec heads are iron and no aluminum version exists.

LT1 head advantages:

1. LT1 intake can be used easily.
2. A pair of aluminum heads that can have big cam valve springs can be used out of the box.
3. LT1 heads are as cheap as $200 a pair, used.

$200 for the heads, convert the Edelbrock intake over to be used with LT1 heads (cheap or free depending on how much you can do yourself)...

However, I think I am going to go with LT1 heads AND intake, to save a lot of machining trouble, and convert to fuel injection.

I thought things would be easier with a carb and mechanical distributor, but I've decided, I can program a PROM chip a lot easier that trying to relearn car engines.

 

lt1 heads and normal 350 block? you can do that?? i was already thinking of buying the lt1 intake from summitt and buying a lt1 block.. if i only have to buy the heads even better!!
Shawn

 

I know it is possible, but havent looked specifically at what has to be done to get the lt1 heads to work on a 1st gen sbc. I know that it is mostly just modifying coolant passages though. If you modify the heads to work you should just be able to bolt on your intake since the lt1 intake will bolt on to standard sbc heads.

Also do you plan on porting the LT1 heads? If not I think it is a waste of time because aluminum lt1 heads flow less than vortecs, and even the 305 heads if ported properly can flow better than vortecs(which are based off of the better flowing Iron LT1 head) so you would be wasting money especially if you had a good job done on the 305 heads(as long as they werent tbi heads).

Anyway, I think that if you can afford it and convert them easily enough, then I think that it would be worth it if you are going to port them. I think you would be better off with fuel injection in the long run, especially if you have tpi now, but if you dont have tpi then you could just run a carb on it and be pretty well off too.

Ben