I'm about to order the carb for my SBC 400... Then my friend calls me up telling me he has an entire LT1 fuel injection setup with the harness, computer, and all the sensors for $200 if I want it.

I'm trying to keep in mind that my goal for my Camaro is to run in next years Silver State Cup Classic (SSCC) in the Super Sport class. I'm wanting to be right around 350hp with my SBC 400. Up untill now I was dead set on a carb, but I know the LT1 setups are supposed to be nice. I need lots of performance all the way up to the redline, as I'm looking for a really nice top speed (180mph) and for it not to take 5 mins to get there.

I've played musical sensors before with my TBI setup, and thats mostly why I wanted to go carb, simplicity and reliability. How dows the LT1 system compare? Opinions? Thanks... to everyone who chimes in, as hopefully me and ZepherWS6 will be representing for everyone on TGO at the SSCC run next year!

 

Pretty sure the LT1 setup won't fit a conventional SBC motor.

 

I've never heard of that.

 

Well it won't. Not as it comes anyway.

Remember, the LT1 had no distributor. So there's not even a hole in the intake for one. It has to be machined out. Also, the cooling arrangements are different, there's no water crossover or place for a thermostat in it; so conversion work is required there as well.

But both of these things can be overcome, it just won't work until you deal with them.

Either induction method should get you what you want, as far as making the power. I seriously doubt that making enough power is going to matter much to the overall success of the project though. For what you're contemplating, think of the engine as this big dumb thing out there that spins the flywheel, and move on to important issues, like getting the car up to 150 mph in the first place (aerodynamics) let alone 180, and then making it survive any significant length of time at that speed without frying every piece of the running gear spectacularly and possibly fatally.

The LT1 injection is essentially the same as TPI, as far as all that goes; it's a throttle body, 8 injectors, etc. You should be able to use a TPI harness and ECM, maybe a bit of extending wires here and there, but no big deal, and burn PROMs for it; or run an aftermarket computer (which is what I'd do if I could) such as Haltech, Speed Pro, Accel, etc. It would be easiest to run it in S/D mode I would think.