I just picked up an LT1 to stick into my 89 when its ready ( full resto ). Im thinking just a rebuild and a cam, maybe a decent set of pistons during the rebuild. Probably leave everything else alone for now. Just curious if regular SBC headers would work on the LT1 and if a regular SBC cam would work.. I was told the engine came out of a 95 z. Ill have more questions as time goes on im sure.

 

pretty sure no, the LT1 isnt like an old school shevy 350

 

Regular SBC headers will match the bolt pattern on the heads, but the LT1 has D shaped exhaust ports so you'll want to make sure the headers work with that. You can't use a regular SBC cam due to the opti. The LT1 cam has a special dowel on the front, so make sure you get a cam for a 1995 or one that supports multiple years (they make it adjustable).

 

any of you running that lt4 hot cam? im thinking about running that myself.

edit: no hotcam, not worth the money..

what did yall run for headers? Looking at the heads on this motor it looks like the guy had a leak on the top of all of the exhaust ports. Is there a type or header that is ment just for these LT motors?

 

Yeah, you just have to take your pick for brand.

Pacesetters (not recommended for lt1's), dynatechs, kooks, jet hots, etc., etc., they all make headers specifically for the lt1.

 

Kooks or Dynatech are my recommended brands as far as build quality etc. goes. I think the 3rd and 4th gens had pretty much the same exhaust setup, so they may fit, but the LT1 headers are going to be designed for clearances on a 4th gen.

 

rob...

whats the issue with the pacesetter headers for the lt1's? I was looking into gettin a set of those from texas speed and the y pipe, looked like a good package deal...any info would be great thanks!

 

The main issue with pacesetters on the lt1 is that they tend to have fitment issues. Not the usual ones that require moving something, they can often times require use of a hammer just to get them to fit. And then the y-pipe tends to hang very very low, making your already not-too-good clearance abysmal.

 

well i have hooker super comp shorties. and if they are the same thing cant i use them? Whats the difference in say the headers i have now and a set of headers MADE for the lt1?

 

Like slvr said, the big issue going from SBC headers to lt1 headers is the D shaped exhaust port. The SBC headers could potentially cause some serious flow issues if their ports are too obtrusive.