Ok, so I've decided to abandon the carb'd LT1, for economical and smog reasons. I plan on selling the LT1 heads and getting some aftermarket, pre-86 SBC heads and an Edelbrock intake for my QJ. First question: I can use said pre-86 SBC heads on an LT1 block, since it's no different than a normal SBC, correct? Ok. I think that's my only question, as the rest is pretty straightforward. Well, actually, would I use the LT1 style waterpump, or normal SBC? I would think the later, since I have normal coolant routing, right? Thanks! It's good to be back online!

 

You cant use regular sbc heads on the LT1 without having them modified for the reverse flow cooling, you cant use anything but an LT1 pump on an LT1, you would be shooting yourself in the foot by selling the stock LT1 heads for a set of edelbrocks rather than having the stockers ported.

 

Bleh. Dammit. Reason I don't want to use those heads is that I have to use the funky new style heads is that I can't get a smog legal carb intake for 'em. Quite a stumbling block.

 

Why not go the much nicer route of just putting the LT1 in as its supposed to be ?

Otherwise your going to play more games to get a cali legal 350.

 

All you have to do to use SBC heads on an LT1 is drill the holes for the coolant passages at the ends. But there is no reason whatsoever to not use the LT1 heads.

 

The reason I'm wary of building an engine with the Lt1 heads is that I can't keep it smog legal. They only carb manifold I can find doesn't have EGR, and to go FI requires me to buy the computer, harness, distributor, and the whole FI setup, which is a little beyond my price range at the moment. Also, the smog tech said if I went to a 95 FI setup, I'd need to put in the computer assisted tranny (can't remember the name).

 

I saw a computer wiring setup for like $120 the other day on ebay. Its not as expensive as you think.

 

sounds to me like you're trying to do too much with too little. There is no reason whatsoever to get an LT1 shortblock and put regular SBC topend on it. the only thing you would possibly gain by doing so is a higher compression ratio (depending on the heads) compared to what you've got now. the whole benefit of the LT1 is the heads and intake.