I bought a cheap used LT1 bare block and I want to build it to the best of it's potential. I'll be getting it bored .030 and I just want some education. It's my first build and I want to put it all together with the best of the best. I'm in no hurry to build it because I know it'll be expensive.

I'm looking to know everything. Your favorite brands, why, etc. I-beam vs. H-beam. And so on and so forth. I'm not trying to build a crap-your-pants-fast dragster. Just a crap-your-pants-fast-streetcar/strip-on-weekends.

I'm not planning to boost it so I'm looking for high compression, flat top pistons is what I've been told. Also looking for pros and cons of forged vs cast. Anything you think is useful, please let me know. If you think it's common knowledge, tell me anyway. I know there are build stickys, but I was just seeing if there was anything further.

 

It just depends on what you want to do with it? Naturally asperated? How many horsepower are you gonna be making? Daily driver? Weekend car? Drag car? Stroker? Just all depends weather to run I-beams, H-beams, Hyperutectic pistons, Forged, ect ect.

 

I'm looking for 600+ n/a, then planning to strap NOS to it. It'll be a summer car. (I live in Minnesota and can't enjoy it year round) Strips on the weekend, semi-daily driver in the summers.

10-second DD. :]

 

600+nos= all forged

 

For the heads i would go with afr. and you are prolly gonna need some decent size ones anyways. 600 N/A is alot for a lt1 not sayin it is impossible cause it is just lots of stuff.

 

you're gonna need a 393 kit with MAX effort porting on the stock heads. and one hell of a cam.

 

Does AFR make heads for the LT1?

Edit: yep, they sure do.

 

Thats a lot of HP without NOS, Chargers ect. Can be within your grasp. I would say all forged as well. You'd have to stroke it to get closer to your goals. H-beams ect.. Ported AFR heads. Hell of a cam to match those heads. A good tune. You got all the drivetrain to back the engine up? 9"? Built trans?

 

to the OP:

Do you have any idea what your getting into? you want 600 n/a hp, and your asking about cast pistons?!

Do you know what 300 n/a horsepower feels like?

I don't even know why I fell for that, this thread is a joke

 

The drivetrain behind it will be taken car of, like I said, it's a long term project. I'm on a few local forums and there is someone to build me my transmission, and yes, he has a good reputation, at least, around here he does. The suggestions I've gotten is a built TH350 with a good stall converter. But the builder told me to get the engine built, then get to him with numbers. As for the rear end, that's undecided. We'll see where I really get. I know it's a hell of a goal, if I don't make it, I won't be disappointed. I'm just trying to have a good time.
I started this thread to learn. I implied, damn near in the title even, that I'm uneducated on this. I'm 18 and working part time to pay for this car, all my money, so no, I haven't felt 300 HP. Can't afford it. Most I've felt/driven is 280ish(RX-8)

But thanks a lot for the help.

 

Your welcome.

if you've never even been past 300 hp then you don't need to build a 600 hp LT1 and put it in your car. you have no idea what a 13 sec car feels like,better yet a 10 sec car. a car like that in the hands of an inexperienced driver is no longer a car, it's a deathtrap. I guess that's natural selection for ya.

 

I'm not THAT ignorant. I've said it plenty of times and I'll say it again. It's a long term project. And with the time and sweat I intend to put into it I'm not going to jeopardize it by killing myself at the track the first time. I'm not saying this will be the next engine in the car, I'm not saying I'm dropping it in at 600 HP. I'm sure I seem like I'm talking out of my butt, but trust me, it looks the same from my end. You don't know me. You're assuming I'm some dumb kid trying to get some tail with a fast car and that I won't do anything to get myself ready for it. You think I'll just drop it in and go for broke. I assure you that I'm not that person. If you knew me you'd know that this car means a great deal to me and I would not risk it like that.

 

Well, you kind of sound like an 18 year old kid that doesn't have a clue what 600 HP acts like.

Notice the very first response had to ask you what you intended to do with the car. That is important information. Without it, we have to assume a lot.

We understand you came here for information, but a dose of reality is in order.

It is very difficult to work your way from stockish 300 HP to 600 HP on one build. 400 NA, working your way up to 600 sprayed as you gained experience getting the power to the ground and learning to drive with that kind of power would be a lot more reasonable.

 

He said that, I responded to that. But I'll do it again. I'm not going to drop it in at 600 HP. My main concern right now, is the right internals. I don't want to build it to this level, then tear it apart and build it to this level. I want internals that will hold up to that. And will build it gradually past that. High end rotating assembly now with mild top end, rebuild top end as I go.

 

That was un-called for. I was 18 once. You learn real quick about horse power. I learned a lot from TGO along the way. I really didn't miss comments like that. So just educate.. don't be an a$$.

But honestly 600hp just starting out is a lot to ask for. It'll will just about be not streetable staying NA. Hell i'd be happy getting 600hp from a boosted LS1. I'd just say do plenty of more reading. Even buy a couple SBC engine building books to get the basics down. SBC is about the same platform.The biggest thing in a engine is Heads and Cam.
FYI 300hp is pretty fun still. Could get down into the High 12's. My GTO is 420 RWHP and it scoots. Traction is a problem till about 60mph. Well have fun. But do read up before you build anything. You can shell out a lot of money for Top doller parts and Not make $hit for HP cause there miss matched.

 

I'll be getting a few LT1 build books, I've been getting more hours lately, so therefor more money and that's where I plan to start.

I'd like to build the bottom end with good stuff and just put something mild on the top end so I can get the engine in sooner. And then build the top end as I have money. And before I drop it in I need to invest in that new transmission, and probably a new driveshaft, I don't know how similar in length the 700R4 and TH350 are.

 

I was running 12's in my 03 Mach1 with 360 hp.

 

damn i forgot this site auto edited

 

Enough is enough.

Fearsome, if you have specific questions, ask them in a new thread.