Well i again have found myself in a predicament. Just when i'm about to order parts somthing else comes along and i have to ask opinions again. Anyways. I now have a 3rd engine on my hands. An LT1 out of a 97 Z28 that was in a fire. It's 90% complete. The only things missing are all the wires cause they got torched, but the first didn't get hot enough to hurt any of the metal, and even then it only got half the wires in the back (fire was in the dashboard, and we all know how far under the dash those engines are in the 4th gens.)

Anyways, not positive on the mileage because the odo was torched, along with all the other obvious mileage things, but we think it's at around 100k miles. We got the whole thing for $250. Not POSITIVE it was running when the fire started, but we can't find anything to suggest it wasn't.

Next is my L98. Its a 100k mile L98 out of a 88' GTA. Needs basic refresh work but it's in amazing condition. I was just set to order parts for it but now i don't know what to do. It was $200 for everything, from the computer, the plenum, all the way down to the pan. Turn key engine basically, and i knew it ran when it was pulled.


So what engine is better to put in my Iroc? For the money, which will i be able to pull more money out of, the LT1 or the L98? It's not like old SBC vs LS1 where the LS1 is obvious. If i remember correctly the biggest difference L98 -> LT1 is the reverse cooling heads and the Optispark. Ive heard with the LT1's though, instead of swapping some things, like heads, you get them professionally ported and they will make good power. I don't know. This engine just kinda fell into my lap, and i don't know much about the LT1s.

Whatever engine i don't use, i will sell, along with the 305TPI in the car, so value of the engine should be taken into account also.


Thanks guys
~LMSkyliner

note: please no fanboyism. aka: I have LT1 it's beasty sell the L98!!11!1!1! I'm looking for honest, statistical opinions.

 

i am going to say LT1 granted i have one stock in my 95 formula... but you are right... i am going to say that 90% if not more of all aftermarket heads for the LT1 are worked over Production heads... the production LT1 intake and TB will support around 450HP with some slight cleanup work in the runners and the stock CR of 10.5:1 is always nice for a cam upgrade... the tuning of the LT1 is a bit simpler than i would expect the l98 to be as the prom can be flashed through the OBD2 port no real fancy wiring just a laptop and LT1edit


even completely stock lt1s with a cam swap have been know to put 350HP...

 

...And that is 350 RWHP through an m6 with a big cam like a cc306 or a gm 847.

DEFINITELY use the LT1! Stock heads can be ported with big valves up to about 285cfm. U can make 420+ RWHP with the LT1 with stock heads on a stock bottom end with the right cam and valvetrain set-up. But with your average Lloyd Elliott LE2 setup you're looking at around 400rwhp, at least 380 through an auto.

 

If you already have the complete LT1 then yes. Like was said above Lloyd Elliot and others do a wonderfull job on the heads.

Now if you were starting from scratch that would be a different story. With the new AFR heads out it is an even match. Heck if the motor is built right a heads cam LS1 is fair game. A guy on the Corvette forum made 470rwhp with a 370ci motor and AFR heads. That will get anyones attention including the LS1 crowd.

 

It'll be through a manual. TKO-500 or T56. probably TKO.


so are we leaning towards selling the L98? Also, im 99% sure i already know the answer, but can all SB intakes (like stealth ram, HSR, etc) go on an LT1?

 

none of those intakes will work without a lot of mods. not worth it. The LT1 intake is a fine piece. Unless you're making BIG power and need an intake like a Super Victor, then you do NOT need to convert a sbc intake for an LT1.

...Sell the L98.

 

OK that's what i thought on the intakes.



my dad just said he may buy the L98 if i go that way and get a 80s Monte Carlo to build with my camaro and our mustang


Is anyone else having issues getting on eportworks.com? I tried to go and to check or Lloyd Elliott's stuff (i thought that was the site) but my internet wouldn't load it. I want to try and compare build prices.


There are also AFR heads for the LT4's. Those should really rock too shouldn't they?

 

new site. its call lloydelliott.com maybe???...nope not it.