ok im stuck between a rock and a hard place. ive got all my apperance mods down i would like to ever do. the suspension is about done and now im sick of my LB9. i want at least 400 flywheel hp. it needs to be streetable but not a daily driver. should i go with an LT1 or build up a 350? i need to know what would be easier (never done a swap before) and the least expensive to get to 400 HP.

i would really like a lot of help here. maybe it would be used as a reference point for others like me (i know theres a lot!)

also, what would have to be done to the lt1 to get 400 and would 400 be possible out of a 350 with a wicked cam and heads to match using a TPI? i dont want to go carbed.

***thinkin about a supercharger AFTER a 400hp engine. i konw my tranny and rear need to be beefed up but that will come (t56 and for the rear im lost.)

Please HELP me out!!!! :hail:

 

Well I will speak on behalf of the LT1 since getting 400hp out of a gen I block is so easy and can be done 48568465 different ways. Some head porting and a cam swap can give a very drivable 400+ hp in a LT1. You are already starting at 300 with the stock exhaust manifolds and piping. A full exhaust and bolt-on LT1 makes about 340 at the crank. Getting that extra 60 is a piece of cake. Even something as small as the hot cam will get you to your goal. I am a big fan of LT1/LS1 combos because of the HUGE power numbers you get with smooth idles, and great mileage. You could also look into a Gen I block wih a mini ram or Stealth ram. Getting 400hp out of a 350 mutil port set-up is so easy its silly. Do you have any goals or anything else you are going to be doing to this car. I would shoot for higher than 400hp if you go with a multi port set-up.

 

well i wanted around 400 at the wheels however i didnt know if that would be an attainable goal on a budget. my goals are simple, make a car im proud of because i did all the work, looks good, and is fast. i want to run 12's if possible any 12 will do!!! but i just didnt know if it would be easier and cheaper to get to over 400 with an lt1 or normal small block 350.

i wanted to go miniram for a while however i know those can get expensive. i dont have any good hook-ups either. whats the difference in multiport setups and i guess a TPI is out of the question because of the lack of upper RPM range??

 

Yea the LT1 was kinda the guinea pig as far as multi port set ups go. However you can take any TPI 350 motor and replace it with a miniram, stealth ram, LT1 intake or an edelbrock multi port TBI system. 400 to the wheels take a bit more mods than it does to get to that same number at the crank. LT1 prices are slowly going down and you can get one for under a cool grand. You can make the same power with a built LT1 on a genII block as you can with any of the multi port set-ups I mentioned on a gen I block.

 

i was considering finding a l98 or any 350 bottom end for that matter (i guess it would have to be after 87 so it would be a one piece rear seal right?) and gettin a lt1 intake milled by john millican then drop a cam and heads in it (but why not go with an lt1 then?!?!) or mini ram/stealh ram a l98 with a head and cam combo. which one is preferable, would produce more HP, and is more cost efficient?

anyone have anything else to add?? im open to any suggestions

 

Well the LT1 intake, miniram, and stealth ram all can support the same amount of power. I tend to prefer the looks of the miniram over the others but you can't go wrong with either.

 

i felt that was the way to go, but i began to think if i do that why dont i just buy an lt1? after the cost of a 350 bottom end, machined lt1 intake, stealth ram, or mini ram why dont i just buy a fully assembled lt1 then heads and a cam.............the lt1 would probably be cheaper!

does anyone know of a good heads and cam combo for an lt1 that will give approx 400+ hp?

 

Keep the stocker and get a $1000 port job on them. They are very good heads. AFR, or ported LT4 heads would be the only other heads I would consider. As for cams you have a whole slew of monsters to choose from. Comp cams makes about 7 cams for the LT1 that all make serious power. GM also makes a fe cams as well. There is also a bunch of XE ginds as well. Any of these cams will make serious power.

 

wow.....so your tellin me i need to find a nice big cam and get my stock lt1 heads ported to make over 400 hp. if so i ned to go find one then get that thing on a stand to get my swap goin!! even if that doesnt do it for me i know a supercharger can......if i can ever save up for one!

 

Yup you are right. LT1's and LS1's have a lot going for them and make a lot of power right out of the box. They are both blessed with amazing aluminum heads that perform as good as any aftermarket head with porting. Add a big cam and a proper tune and you have way more than 400 hp. Jsut take a ride in a LT1 or LS1 car. Then just inagine what those cars will do with heads, cam and exhaust.

 

sounds like a winner to me...........now i just gotta start lookin into the lt1 swaps a littl bit more. thanks for all the help.

looks like it turned into a PM between us shifty!! wish more people would put their 2 cents in and help me out a little bit but i appreciate all your info!!! :hail:

 

Hey no problem. I am very unbiased because I have an LT1, my roomate has an 02 SS, and me and my buddy have cammed 305's. I run stock heads but he has vortecs on his. I am well aware of what each of these engines are capable of with the right parts and tuning. PM with anything you have questions with.

 

cheap..

Vortec heads, 10.25 compression XE274 cam. headers, dual plane intake, and a holley carb...

but you are alergic to cheap. so you must spend money on efi

 

lol i guess so, but i want something kind of up to date and just lke fuel injection.........i guess for those rare winter drives!

 

And don't forget 25+mpg on the highway whenever you drive

 

lol exactly. my tpi now only gets 16 so i think anything would be an upgrade!

 

Your TPI only gets 16mpg? Thats low. My TPI 350 even with its crappy TBI heads (don't ask, I didn't want them) still manages to net 20mpg with a 10 mile daily drive to and from work. On long trips i can get the mileage up to 25 or so.

 

yea and 16 is highway. i dont know whats goin on thats why i need an lt1 fast

 

400 in the crank you say? get the 350. carb with a 142 or 144 blower. can get one for 1500. now your over 400 hp. easy

 

that would be nice. but the lt1 just seems so nice to me lately. im considering supercharging it once its in but well see!

 

yes it would be nice. lots of money for a charger for the lt or ls engines though

 

i hear that. thats why i was hoping a nice head porting and a wicked cam will put me fast enough...........for now