I am a California native, i have been used to the idea that you cant really do much to a motor do to strict laws. Well right now i am not in CA. Right now im in fort polk LA. Only a little drive to Texas. To my understanding, the smog laws are a lot less strict to damn near none. Assuming this is true i am going to register my camaro in TX and rebuild the LT1. before i jump in i wanted to ask some things.

First off, would it be better to just buy a long block for this as opposed to a kit? I thought about a kit but i wanted to go with a 383 so if i got a long block id have to tare it down.

Next, would the LT1 wiring harness work with an LT4 or would i need to buy a new one? i know that i would have to tune the computer BTW.

This last part is going to be the rough idea on what i wanted to do. please give me input here.

I was shooting for a 383 LT4. I wanted to use AFR heads but the price has spiked in the last few years to 1800ish for a set. what are other good heads? i wanted to go with a comp cam 292. Of course i was going to go with roller lifters and rockers not sure what brand yet. get rid of the cam driven water pump and go with an electric water pump. haven't really put much thought into exhaust yet. So from that little bit of detail, what would you say to keep and what is a no go?

 

There is no real difference between a LT1 and LT4 block, except that all LT4 came with 4 bolt main bearing caps. The main difference is in the heads, intake, and cam. So if you are going to change them anyway, you can use either block, and you can install 4 bolt main caps on a LT1 block, with some machine work.

 

ball park cost on that?

 

check out what lloyd has and see if your interested in something like that.
http://www.elliottsportworks.com/lt1.html

 

before we start throwing out opinions on what we think you should do, it would be nice to know what your goals are. some people set moderate goals and way overspend to get there and vice versa

 

Well my goals are to have at lest 550HP and still be street car when i want it too. so pretty much an over powered street car and a car that runs great on the track.

 

My two cents. If you go to a 292 or bigger you should use hydraulic flat tappet lifters or standard lifters. That way you'll be able to rev in the higher rpm range without valve float. The roller lifters will dig into the aggresive lobes of that cam and it will not last long. But if that's what you want, go for it!

 

Also I would not run gasohol or anything that contains the so called ethonal. Unless you wear an oxygen mask while you drive!

 

550 at the flywheel? that can be done but its not going to be easy. and you're going to spend a bit of cash to get there. what's your budget?

 

i am single. i dont pay rent. i live for free. i dont have to buy food. i have like 2 bills that are maybe 200 a month together. i dont really spend a lot of money