Check-Out this LTX Engine

[The Engineer]

Here is a very interesting LTX engine built by a very interesting and well-known LTX person. Check-out "all" the little details on the engine (some very unusual LT engine aspects, coolant flow for example) and see if you can guess who this LTX engine belongs to.

Also, what doesn't appear "completely normal" for an LTX engine. By the way, it runs 10.30s N/A.

WD



http://shutter04.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/21/002/31/F5/3B/EE/O0edAm7iu+k2+Et8nSyrwA1DwJJ+z1zr0300.jpg

http://shutter04.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/16/002/29/FF/3D/F4/Gb64jLsTWwMJTlg5aDkL0FpD4jA1dujV0300.jpg

[joelster]

BS. Looks like a sbc water pump to me. Where's the opti? I see a rear-mount distributor too.

To me, an LT1 must use an LT1 block. I don't care if you retrofit LT1 computer stuff to a different block/head package, it ain't an LTx motor anymore. Maybe i'm wrong and the person did some serious machining to it to make it work.

I'll give you an example of why I think like this. A friend of mine was going to outfit a BBC (496") with LT1 electronics. He was going to mount the opti off to the side like a front-mount MSD distributor. Is that an LT1? Um...no.

[The Engineer]

Are those LT heads??? There isn't a coolant cross-over.

WD

[joelster]

Are those LT heads??? There isn't a coolant cross-over.

WD

Big deal on the heads, plenty of people put sbc heads onto LT1 blocks, running single planes with the thermostat housing milled off (like me :)). That ain't an LT1 block, so it ain't an LT1. Those headers must have been fun to make with the stahl bolt pattern. :)

I'm not bashing the motor or anything, because it is certainly an impressive piece, and runs strong to boot. But it isn't an LT1, unless you could show some more detailed pics of the lower front.

[Louvit]

may be a 1970 LT1....lol

[slowdime]

may be a 1970 LT1....lol

Sure looks like it, I'm about 99% sure my LT1 block does not have that oil plug on the front, and I do know that is common on teh dinosaur motors

[grn95t/a]

still the biggest question is.... who's atrosity is this! lol!

[The Engineer]

Big deal on the heads, plenty of people put sbc heads onto LT1 blocks, running single planes with the thermostat housing milled off (like me :)).

Notice where the hot-coolant exits the heads! By the way, they are actually LT1 heads!

The headers use flange adapter plates.

WD

[TCGiRL220]

must be nice... TO HAVE MONEY!
that thing looks like a beast... so whose is it?

[Stroked96Bowtie]

yep 10-4 on the SBC water pump...I just wonder why someone would go through the trouble to fit LT1 style heads on a SBC? You can get EFI to fit on anything and it sure doesnt look like any corners were cut on the intake/injection setup.

So the question remains...who is it and are they coming to the shootout:jest:

[Fixxer99TA]

To be honest, it could be Engineers engine (although I havent seen his monster with the hood popped for awhile). I think he could just be playing games with us :D I mean he did say its someone "well known" on the LTx sites.

If not, then we are just going to have to wait until the Shootout to find out (hopefully we dont have to wait that looooong).

[CamaroZGuy]

it looks like a sweet SBC but that is no LT1.

[T/A KID]

Thats Ed Wright's Stock eliminator LTX car ;) (Black 96 T/A)

[Fixxer99TA]

Ohhhh ok, knew I have seen it before....

[The Engineer]

it looks like a sweet SBC but that is no LT1.

Actually, it is an NHRA SS/JA LT1 "class legal" engine and car combination. Also, legal in IHRA.

Additionally, no-one goes to this much trouble and expense with an engine build without an expressed purpose and intent! ;)

Very well thought-out engine package (no LTX new-comer here)! For example; the LT reverse coolant-flow has been reversed on the heads with this engine. Did you follow that?

WD

[The Engineer]

Thats Ed Wright's Stock eliminator LTX car ;) (Black 96 T/A)

You win the big prize, actually Ed's SS/JA! With a stock eliminator car you would have to run the stock LT intake. Ed has a custom Hogan $$$$ on his engine (just some more details).

I took the pictures this past weekend here in Oklahoma at the NHRA Div-4 Lucas Oil event. Ed said he didn't have any secrets to hide, so I could post the photos. :secret:

http://shutter05.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/20/002/7D/F7/C2/94/A+jsK5IRI4wqDzLHI+9VQ-Lhaggjao6d0300.jpg

http://shutter03.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/19/007/75/DB/54/5E/N3Gd6tUg4osMjox0Wz1d4ewz6jQP4QG60300.jpg

[Neil350]

I wonder who he gets to tune it. I actually saw that car run at Thunder Shoot out about 4 or 5 years ago. Nice set up

[bricez28]

you uys notice the details like its nothing. i would have been like, " wow i want that intake" haha

[joelster]

I don't see how it's legal in an LT1 class. You could technically run a world products block, and take it out to 454 cubic inches, and own every N/A class there is at the shootout. I don't care if it's reverse cooled. Every engine that runs at the Engine Masters Challenge gets converted to reverse cooling, doesn't mean it's legal, just because it has similarities. He must have found a loophole in the rules for that particular class, or that particular class doesn't care what block is used.

It's like taking an L98 TPI motor, and swapping the heads to AFR's Eliminators, and then running a Victor EFI manifold with custom elbow, TB. Sorry...it ain't an L98 any more when you remove the heads and the TPI runners.

[Z28pr0jekt]

I don't see how it's legal in an LT1 class. You could technically run a world products block, and take it out to 454 cubic inches, and own every N/A class there is at the shootout. I don't care if it's reverse cooled. Every engine that runs at the Engine Masters Challenge gets converted to reverse cooling, doesn't mean it's legal, just because it has similarities. He must have found a loophole in the rules for that particular class, or that particular class doesn't care what block is used.

It's like taking an L98 TPI motor, and swapping the heads to AFR's Eliminators, and then running a Victor EFI manifold with custom elbow, TB. Sorry...it ain't an L98 any more when you remove the heads and the TPI runners.

That's like saying running a single plane and afr heads on an lt1 makes it no longer an lt1....

it's still an lt1

[The Engineer]

I don't see how it's legal in an LT1 class. You could technically run a world products block, and take it out to 454 cubic inches, and own every N/A class there is at the shootout. I don't care if it's reverse cooled. Every engine that runs at the Engine Masters Challenge gets converted to reverse cooling, doesn't mean it's legal, just because it has similarities. He must have found a loophole in the rules for that particular class, or that particular class doesn't care what block is used.

It's like taking an L98 TPI motor, and swapping the heads to AFR's Eliminators, and then running a Victor EFI manifold with custom elbow, TB. Sorry...it ain't an L98 any more when you remove the heads and the TPI runners.

I know you're talking about the LTX Shoot-Out rules, but Ed runs NHRA class events with this car.

The NHRA Super-Stock (SS/xx) class is an issue of OEM bore and stroke dimensions w/ a CI limitation (based on the stock engine, i.e., LT1 350), not the type block used. However, the heads must be of OEM type, but the SS rules allow some amount head rework.

Ed's engine is actually "reversed", reversed cooling. Which means it "does not" use reversed cooling. If you look closely, Ed has opened-up the water-jacket ports in the LT heads, which allows the hot-coolant to exit the heads up-front (in-place-of the intake cross-over and goose-neck).

http://shutter04.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/16/002/29/FF/3D/F4/Gb64jLsTWwMJTlg5aDkL0FpD4jA1dujV0300.jpg

I thought someone would notice that aspect of the engine.

WD

[Stroked96Bowtie]

Okay I wasnt sure what those hoses coming out of the front of the heads were...that makes sense now. Nice brain teaser:finger:

[KissMyWhtSS]

I wonder who he gets to tune it. I actually saw that car run at Thunder Shoot out about 4 or 5 years ago. Nice set uphe's a tuner, so he probably does it himself. :jest:

[joelster]

Why would he go through all of that work? If he is limited to a stock displacement, or small overbore, why not just keep the LT1?

[SSSC]

Eds would been my first guess. Hes a good guy for sure
Takes alot to run those classes

[Stroked96Bowtie]

Why would he go through all of that work? If he is limited to a stock displacement, or small overbore, why not just keep the LT1?

He races in a national racing sanctioning body that has limits/restictions to compete with. Its every drivers objective to not only meet the guidelines but do it well enough to compete and win events. Ed Wright is a well known name in the LT1 world for both what he does at the track AND tuning street cars like ours. Its admirable what hes doing because hes racing within thier guidelines and doing it with LT1 parts...honestly I dont keep up with that class too much but willing to bet there are not many doing it with LTx parts.

Not everyone has the same goals naturally, but to be able to race and compete at that level is pretty awesome to me.

Anyone catch how he did:confused:

[The Engineer]

Anyone catch how he did:confused:

Probably no suprise to anyone (who knows me), but I was at the race for three days (most unusual NHRA division race I've ever attended, don't ask why).

Ed won the first two rounds in SS, but went-out 3rd round.

He was dialed-in at 10.33.

WD

[The Engineer]

he's a tuner, so he probably does it himself. :jest:

FYI. Ed is running a FAST EFI system and not the OEM PCM (therefore no Opti required for the high/low resolution pulses).

WD

[TCGiRL220]

Eds would been my first guess. Hes a good guy for sure
Takes alot to run those classes


x2!

[Tony Shepherd]

Cool setup right there. Whats funny is he can take that engine out, install his old LT1 stroker (LT1 block, stock casting heads..etc) and run 9's n/a.:claps:

[MEAN LT1]

That's like saying running a single plane and afr heads on an lt1 makes it no longer an lt1....

it's still an lt1


Agreed. As long as the block is still LT1 I think all is fair especially with all the limitations we face.

[The Engineer]

Cool setup right there. Whats funny is he can take that engine out, install his old LT1 stroker (LT1 block, stock casting heads..etc) and run 9's n/a.:claps:

Ed tells me he doesn't do the engine swaps as quick and often as he used to. Also, for the past few years, Ed is back-into the NHRA and IHRA SS class racing.

Last year during the LTX Shoot-Out, Ed had an NHRA event conflict with the shoot-out. He also said he didn't have the time to put a 9-second stroker motor in for the shoot-out.

WD

[joelster]

Ed tells me he doesn't do the engine swaps as quick and often as he used to. Also, for the past few years, Ed is back-into the NHRA and IHRA SS class racing.

Last year during the LTX Shoot-Out, Ed had an NHRA event conflict with the shoot-out. He also said he didn't have the time to put a 9-second stroker motor in for the shoot-out.

WD

Tell him to lend the 9-second motor to me, and i'll drop it in my car to represent him. :)

[Fixxer99TA]

Tell him to lend the 9-second motor to me, and i'll drop it in my car to represent him. :)

If only... My Hawk is down for some 9 sec reppin' too :D

[The Engineer]

Tell him to lend the 9-second motor to me, and i'll drop it in my car to represent him. :)

Ed is both a racer and businessman, so come down to Oklahoma and see what kind of 9 second deal he'll make you. :drool:

WD

[Tyler Wheat]

Cool setup right there. Whats funny is he can take that engine out, install his old LT1 stroker (LT1 block, stock casting heads..etc) and run 9's n/a.:claps:

That car was serious. I have got a couple of vids of his car from when he was getting his NHRA license in that car. He was spraying that motor then. :devil:

[The Engineer]

That car was serious. I have got a couple of vids of his car from when he was getting his NHRA license in that car. He was spraying that motor then. :devil:

I see you're also from Oklahoma.

The CDRA is having a three-day big-bucks bracket race this weekend at Tulsa (TRP) and I was thinking about coming up with the BBC Monza (It runs 6.50s in the 1/8). But I've decided not to come. Also, Ed said he won't be there, but Ken Anderson may be there to race. Do you know Ken (one of Ed's friends) who has a black 96 Z28 and bracket races there at TRP. Ed build and tuned Ken's engine.

Warren

[joelster]

Agreed. As long as the block is still LT1 I think all is fair especially with all the limitations we face.

Agreed too. To be considered a true LT1 it must run an LT1 block. The SS/class block in the first pic isn't a true LT1. It gets away with it in the SS rules simply because of the fact that they only care about the heads and not the block.

[The Engineer]

Agreed too. To be considered a true LT1 it must run an LT1 block. The SS/class block in the first pic isn't a true LT1. It gets away with it in the SS rules simply because of the fact that they only care about the heads and not the block.

The issue with this thread isn't to determine if Ed's engine is a "real" LT engine or not, but to illustrate some "very creative" LTX engine redesign and rework ideas.

Basically, Ed thinking "way-outside" the LTX box! For example; the LT heads with the hot coolant return path Ed built. Not to mention that Hogan custom fabbed intake, WOW! You don't see one of those setting on an LTX every day!

Warren

[joelster]

The issue with this thread isn't to determine if Ed's engine is a "real" LT engine or not, but to illustrate some "very creative" LTX engine redesign and rework ideas.

Basically, Ed thinking "way-outside" the LTX box! For example; the LT heads with the hot coolant return path Ed built. Not to mention that Hogan custom fabbed intake, WOW! You don't see one of those setting on an LTX every day!

Warren

I like his motor, I really do. I like his way of thinking too. But noone ever answered my question as to why he went this path. What is so much better about the layout he has? Is the LT1 block a weakness in his eyes? Is the reverse cooling a flaw also? At first I was thinking that maybe the rules permit a huge overbore, which would explain the reasoning behind an sbc based block over an LT1 block. I still don't understand the change back to regular cooling though.

[The Engineer]

I like his motor, I really do. I like his way of thinking too. But noone ever answered my question as to why he went this path. What is so much better about the layout he has? Is the LT1 block a weakness in his eyes? Is the reverse cooling a flaw also? At first I was thinking that maybe the rules permit a huge overbore, which would explain the reasoning behind an sbc based block over an LT1 block. I still don't understand the change back to regular cooling though.

I think consistent 10.30s with a N/A 350ci engine and 3300 pound car says it all!

WD

[Tyler Wheat]

I see you're also from Oklahoma.

The CDRA is having a three-day big-bucks bracket race this weekend at Tulsa (TRP) and I was thinking about coming up with the BBC Monza (It runs 6.50s in the 1/8). But I've decided not to come. Also, Ed said he won't be there, but Ken Anderson may be there to race. Do you know Ken (one of Ed's friends) who has a black 96 Z28 and bracket races there at TRP. Ed build and tuned Ken's engine.

Warren

Yeah, I've met Ken a couple of times. He done anything else to the car? It's been forever since I've sat and shot the shit with anyone. Last I knew Ken was high 10s-low 11.0s pretty consistantly. It's been a loooonnng time, though. I would go and talk to Jeff when he had his 95 out there all the time. Ken was just around a couple of times. I don't know what Jeff's building now. I think he's went through a few projects.

I used to go out to TRP alot for TNT and the midnights, but anymore I just make a trip up to MO-KAN where most of the people I know race at. (It's all street cars. No big name people). It'd be nice if they'd do the Whoop-Ass Wednesday again at TRP. That was always alot of fun to me. There's just too many people at the midnights for my liking anymore.

You don't by chance know Rusty and Chuck Hull? They do alot of IHRA stuff. Very very good people.

Shoot me a PM next time you have a car out at TRP. I wouldn't mind making a trip to check out the toys.

[joelster]

I think consistent 10.30s with a N/A 350ci engine and 3300 pound car says it all!

WD

Still doesn't answer the question.