IF I decide not to sell my Formula, I have the option of installing an LT1 vs keeping the SBC with an intake swap.

What would be the performance advantage of swapping for the LT1 vs. ...say a Stealthram or Miniram?

I already have a complete LT1 from a 9C1 (iron head) complete, and I have a PCM/Wiring harness out of a '95 Z28. I also have a freshly rebuilt 6-speed from a '95 Z that can go in to support the new power.

My options are to sell the LT1, take the cash and install the new intake or install the LT1 and sell the SBC/TPI intake.

decisions, decisions...

I know the LT1 has reverse cooling, and has the option of immediate tuning via OBD1...but would it just be easier to go miniram or stealthram? If I went LT1, I already have the fuel lines I need for the fuel rail connection.

 

p.s. - I am not looking for this to be a huge performance improvement right now - merely a nice, mild mannered, daily driver as a good basis for later building.

I just hate to re-do things if I can avoid it.

 

thats a tough one....

while the TPI is going to have more torque down low, the LT1 obviously has more HP up high, stock for stock. With an intake swap say to a Miniram though, your going to pick up the high RPM HP and breathing ability the TPI never had, but I believe you'll lose some torque down low. In essence you'll have the performance of an LT1 with an L98. However, the heads on the LT1, even the iron ones, are better than the L98 heads could ever be. If you were to put equal money into porting both sets of heads, the LT1's would be far superior. I would suggest getting rid of the iron ones and swapping to aluminum at a later date if you plan on doing porting for performance.

Obviously I'm fond of the LT1 swap, but I guess in your case it really depends on what your future plans call for. The LT1 swap isn't all that difficult, but its not as simple as an intake swap either. If your future plans just call for mild performance upgrades for good street performance, I think I'd stick with the L98 and mod it accordingly.

 

Well, the heads on it are probably truck heads rather than L98. I haven't pulled the casting number yet. I'm thinking that eventually, I would upgrade the heads anyway.

I'm thinking in the long run, I'd have a mild heads/cam on there and the T56...its already got 3.73's...should be good for low 12's, right? It would at least be respectable and enough to handle most stock LS1's...

 

with decent heads/cam, you could definitely be running mid 12's, low 12's might be a stretch depending on the combo.

 

seems like it would be close either way depending on what other stuff you have. Id like to see what Kevin89formula is running now that he is racing again. He has a 383 with a full Superram setup. My guess is that he would be runnign faster than Texas LT1 but im not sure. He is going the HRP tonight, hopefully he will post results