im new to the GM field. i transfered over from 5.0Slow field.

ok what is the trick to getting aluminum/cast iron LT1 heads to work with a TPI? how is the reverse flow coolant compensated? will the intake even mate up to the heads? there is alot of deals on LT1 aluminum heads on ebay. i would like to take advantage of this.

 

For all the work it would take to make it work is outweighed by much better aftermarket heads on the market for the money.

I do not recommend it. It is a waste of time.

 

LT1 heads on a conventional small block isn't going to happen. The cooling is completely different.

You can run TPI on an LT1, although I have no idea why you'd ever want to. For a while Ligenfelter offered the Super Ram for LT1s, and every once in a while you can find a manifold base floating around. With that manifold base on the LT1, you can bolt all of the TPI crap up... but again, it's pointless. It would be a major expense to take a step in the wrong direction.

 

It has been done. A Corvette guy did it with his L98 C4, but it was alot of work that produced less than stellar results for all the work needed to be done to convert the cooling system.

It's still not worth the effort, IMHO.

 

yes, it's been done. I'm sure that some bozo with money to burn could convert LS1 heads too, but there's a certain point where you go beyond the realm of practical, especially considering the flow of an LT1 head compared to all the aftermarket crap that's available already.

 

This seems to be a "once a week" question. Here's the answer.

http://www.lt1intake.com/LT1_retrofit.htm

It's not a "waste of time" either. It is a budget way to get a great set of heads. Hottrodding spirit if you ask me. It never dies.

Combine the LT1 heads with a LT1 intake conversion and you're set to rock and roll.

 

Oooooooooh, good article! Might save a few steps on the LT1 intake conversion along the way too!!! Excellent!!! No filling/redrilling new intake mounting holes..., better combustion chambers than stock heads... Oh yeah, I likes!!!!:hail:

 

Hey, while we're on the subject of LT1 heads... does anyone happen to have a picture of a cut open head showing the water passages??? Adding a couple of AN- fittings to the front or side of each head would sure beat drilling a hole in each head for an old school water cross over (via the article) that I would then need to drill/tap into the LT1 intake to route externally anyway.

 

Then why are you running TFS heads and not the LT1's?

I still say better gains for less hassle are to be found by buying GEN I aftermarket heads.

 

Because I have had the TF heads LONG before I prototyped the LT1 intake conversion and I wasn't aware of the possiblities of converting LT1 heads to a SBC.

 

In that case, why bother with the LT1 stuff and go for the gold- LT4 heads/cam/intake!

 

LT1 heads and intake are a LOT easier and cheaper to come by then the LT4 heads and intake. IIRC TPIRoc did the LT1 heads on his car.

 

Vortec heads cost even less.

 

Agreed. The Vortec head/intake manifold with the proper cam will make a lot more power for less money and hassle for what an LT1 head/intake swap will achieve.

 

Excuse me? A Vortec head (truck head) and LTR intake will make more power then a LT1 head/intake engine? And money? I think not. I have seen LT1's run in the 10's NA, show me a Vortec/LTR intake engine in the 10's NA.

Only if your talking about a Vortec/Miniram III system of course will might make more HP but at a much higher cost.

Most of us are on a budget here for one reason or another.

 

And getting a car in the 10's, no matter how it gets there- certainly will break this hypothetical budget.

The point is- the hassle of converting the heads and intake are outweighed by more cost effective per-dollar and per-hour of installation than going with LT1 heads/intake on an L98.

 

Agreed, going for 10's will break most budgets unless you have a very understanding wife (if married).

The cost really depends on if you can do the conversion yourself.