LT1 question

[Pacific_L36]

What is the difference between the early SB 350's and the LT1's, besides the opti? The reason I ask is because I found a SB 350 4 bolt main long block local for $100, and I'm curious about putting an early 350 in my Camaro (V6 right now). Most of what I'm wondering about is 1), will LT1 headers fit it? And 2), will an LT1 T56 bolt to said engine? I've got loads of ideas about what do do about the distributor, accessories, mani, etc. But these two things confuse me.

[KissMyWhtSS]

distrbutor
reverse flow cooling
etc

an LT1 swap would be easier IMO. You'll run into clearance issues with the cowl for one.

[Pacific_L36]

I've got loads of ideas about clearance, involves fuel injection. I've been looking for months for an affordable LT1 swap option, and have had 0 luck thus far. Really just curious about the headers and tranny.

[KissMyWhtSS]

I've got loads of ideas about clearance, involves fuel injection. I've been looking for months for an affordable LT1 swap option, and have had 0 luck thus far. Really just curious about the headers and tranny.
Exhaust and tranny will be fairly easy to do, I'd be more worried about ignition and fuel. LT1's are getting pretty cheap, and the swap is pretty straightforward. You could start with supporting mods such as a 10 bolt posi.

edit: noticed you wanted to run a T56... Bellhousing would be different.. not sure beyond that.

[Pacific_L36]

I've done a lot of research about the LT1 swap, you might recall the tread I made several months ago about it, learned plenty more since then. So far, the cheapest LT1 road I've figured out so far is a 96 LT1 with the harness for $1800, but it would have to be rebuilt (same for any other engine I build). I'm having a rough time finding stuff up here in Oregon.

I've got ideas for the distributor and mani already, would involve very minimal cowl cutting, and a cowl hood that I've been wanting for so long.

edit: I do have a rear end swap from a TA already with posi, and my TSP Rumbler is a 3" catback, plenty big for a V8. I've also got Strano Specific Bilstein Shocks, WS6 32mm front sway bar, TA 19mm rear sway bar, poly endlinks, adj. PHB, etc. All I would need suspension wise is some LT1 springs.

[My95Z]

The 350 and LT1 have the same bolt positions for the trans, so why wouldn't the T-56 work on a 350 if it was meant for an LT1?

[KissMyWhtSS]

Looks like LT1 T56 will bolt right up to a SBC, LSx T56 won't. (You'll need a bellhousing)

[Pacific_L36]

Woot! One down, one to go. I had a feeling it would work.

[My95Z]

The headers will fit as long as their collectors are large enough to fit over the exhaust ports (almost all would be) so you should be fine in that dept too b/c the exhaust bolts should be in the same place.

What heads are you planning on running? Possibly going with a TPI setup or at least heads off a TPI car?

[Pacific_L36]

Thanks for the answer. Not sure on heads yet, as I'm still thinking about this.

[KissMyWhtSS]

you could always have something custom fabbed up with headers.

[Pacific_L36]

I'm looking into TPI, something like this should fit in there, doesn't look too tall.

http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/images/ArizonaTPI1000CFMMultiportSystem-ThrottleBodyAdaptor.jpg

[Green96Z]

Really, for the price you are looking at with an aftermarket SFI system, plus the engine, the $1800 for a complete LT1 is better IMO.

But to answer your question, the LT1 and SBC share all the same bolt holes. Same motor mounts, same bellhousing bolt pattern, same exhaust manifold bolt pattern. You could use LT1 headers on a SBC in a 4th Gen F-body for the chassis clearance, but I'm not sure if you will lose any flow on the exhaust ports. LT1's have D shaped ports, SBC usually have square.

A T56 will easily bolt up to a SBC. A lot of old school muscle cars actually do it, which is why it's so hard to find them for our cars.