OK, I was looking at getting a new engine for my Z28.
One of the options I was looking at was an LT1 swap. Seems like a lot of people here are familliar with this, so help me out.

I found a used LT1 for $1100, it has 66,000 miles on it. I will also need the wiring harness and all that which is an additional $599. Then also I have to pay someone to put the engine in for me. Does this seem like a good idea to anyone?

I'm looking at around the price range of 3k to spend. Does that seem like the best way I could go? Would I be better of getting someone to rebuild my L98 and go from there. The reason I was looking at getting an LT1 is because they breath so much better and the engine dosent die at around 4500 rpms. I realize there are several things I could do to improve that on my engine though, but it still needs to be rebuilt.

oh, my car now is a 91 Z28 with a 350TPI with 160k miles.

 

Let's see


1100$
599
--------
1699$
+ labour of at least 40 hours....

Nope not with 3K. If you do it yourself , maybe .

 

regardless to heat in other posts. consider if you spent 3g putting in an lt1 they push less than 300 hp and wouldnt be much greater than what you have now. i dont know if your familiar with jasper but they make remanufacture crate motors. for 3 grand id say you could get a rebuilt 350 bored over with good heads and a new cam (longblock) that would make more than an lt1 and go in a lot easier.

 

Yes, I have heard of Jasper engines. I know someone who has a Jasper engine in his truck. The reason I was going with the LT1 was because of the intake. If i stick with TPI I've heard that it will choke.

Anyways, after some looking around I think my best bet is just to rebuild my old L98. What about stroking it? Anyone know of how good a stroked 383 L98 does with that intake (the stock TPI intake)?

I'd get some things like runners... throttle body... something else to help it breathe.

Any advice guys, thanks a lot.

 

You can in fact put an LT1 intake on a regular style smallblock, if you really want an LT1. If you are worried about choking a motor, i would strongly suggest using a carburetor. They are easily tuned, and generally cheaper and easier than a EFI.

TPI is known for making very little top end power, but incredible torque. A large displacement or stroker motor like a 383 or a 400 will make incredible torque with TPI on top. It will run out of breath over 4500 rpms without serious modification, however.

Higher engine speeds generally mean more wear on the engine, and torque is what actually gets our heavy cars moving. You can make great power and huge torque with a properly set up 383 or 400 TPI motor, and still keep engine speeds to a minimum.

Keeping your TPI system will also mean that much less money spend on an induction system, depending on how much you want to modify the intake to let your motor breathe. Just my 2c.
matt