LT-1 decided to blow up so...

[97Hawk]

Always loved this site but never had a burning question until now, my 97' Firehawk with the factory LT-1 decided its crankshaft was bad now my oil looks like a starry night, instead of a rebuild of a motor that has close to 175,000 miles I wanted to replace it. My question being how much of a hassle is it to put in a newer LS1 motor(not a crate motor but a lower mileage used one, maybe out of a early 2000's vette, camaro, T/A etc.) in the firehawk? Worth the effort or should I just stick to finding a rebuild LT1? Thanks for the feedback! Also money is a factor in the decision so if it would be way, way cheaper to stick with the LT1 that might be a determining factor.

[Scott Chab]

It would be significantly cheaper to stick with an LT1.

Check out http://www.golenengineservice.com/html/lt1_lt4.html they have everything from stock shortblock replacements to 550hp 396 longblocks.

[BLACK-HAWK]

bore it & stroke it!!!!!!!!!! 383!!!!!!

[97Hawk]

Hahaha thanks guys I will look into that site!

[Ratchet831]

Always loved this site but never had a burning question until now, my 97' Firehawk with the factory LT-1 decided its crankshaft was bad now my oil looks like a starry night, instead of a rebuild of a motor that has close to 175,000 miles I wanted to replace it. My question being how much of a hassle is it to put in a newer LS1 motor(not a crate motor but a lower mileage used one, maybe out of a early 2000's vette, camaro, T/A etc.) in the firehawk? Worth the effort or should I just stick to finding a rebuild LT1? Thanks for the feedback! Also money is a factor in the decision so if it would be way, way cheaper to stick with the LT1 that might be a determining factor.

Long term, you would be better going with an LS1. The LT1 was only produced for 5 years and is just different enough that most Gen I/SBC stuff won't fit it. And dollar for dollar, any mod you do to an LT1, the same mod will typically yield more power. I have a 97 Trans Am that if and when the LT1 goes I plan on swapping to LS1. Starting to collect the parts now (LS1 k-member, LS1 wiring harness, LS1 ECU, etc).

[97Hawk]

Always loved this site but never had a burning question until now, my 97' Firehawk with the factory LT-1 decided its crankshaft was bad now my oil looks like a starry night, instead of a rebuild of a motor that has close to 175,000 miles I wanted to replace it. My question being how much of a hassle is it to put in a newer LS1 motor(not a crate motor but a lower mileage used one, maybe out of a early 2000's vette, camaro, T/A etc.) in the firehawk? Worth the effort or should I just stick to finding a rebuild LT1? Thanks for the feedback! Also money is a factor in the decision so if it would be way, way cheaper to stick with the LT1 that might be a determining factor.

Long term, you would be better going with an LS1. The LT1 was only produced for 5 years and is just different enough that most Gen I/SBC stuff won't fit it. And dollar for dollar, any mod you do to an LT1, the same mod will typically yield more power. I have a 97 Trans Am that if and when the LT1 goes I plan on swapping to LS1. Starting to collect the parts now (LS1 k-member, LS1 wiring harness, LS1 ECU, etc).

Yeah I have heard that a couple times, is there a list somewhere of all the parts necessary to make the switch? Maybe I should look for a junked 'Vette and just yank all the components out of it....The prices of rebuilt LT1's seem relatively high, $3k for the block with pistons and cam and then you still need to purchase everything else. Not to mention installation, I guess I should start calling local scrappers out here on the Wet Coast

[Scott Chab]

Here is a list of what you'll need but I doubt it is complete. IMHO it is going to be a royal PITA to swap in an LS1.

http://www.theformulasource.com/forums/ ... opic=14723

[Ratchet831]

Always loved this site but never had a burning question until now, my 97' Firehawk with the factory LT-1 decided its crankshaft was bad now my oil looks like a starry night, instead of a rebuild of a motor that has close to 175,000 miles I wanted to replace it. My question being how much of a hassle is it to put in a newer LS1 motor(not a crate motor but a lower mileage used one, maybe out of a early 2000's vette, camaro, T/A etc.) in the firehawk? Worth the effort or should I just stick to finding a rebuild LT1? Thanks for the feedback! Also money is a factor in the decision so if it would be way, way cheaper to stick with the LT1 that might be a determining factor.

Long term, you would be better going with an LS1. The LT1 was only produced for 5 years and is just different enough that most Gen I/SBC stuff won't fit it. And dollar for dollar, any mod you do to an LT1, the same mod will typically yield more power. I have a 97 Trans Am that if and when the LT1 goes I plan on swapping to LS1. Starting to collect the parts now (LS1 k-member, LS1 wiring harness, LS1 ECU, etc).

Yeah I have heard that a couple times, is there a list somewhere of all the parts necessary to make the switch? Maybe I should look for a junked 'Vette and just yank all the components out of it....The prices of rebuilt LT1's seem relatively high, $3k for the block with pistons and cam and then you still need to purchase everything else. Not to mention installation, I guess I should start calling local scrappers out here on the Wet Coast

Do you have an auto or 6 speed?

[97Hawk]

Long term, you would be better going with an LS1. The LT1 was only produced for 5 years and is just different enough that most Gen I/SBC stuff won't fit it. And dollar for dollar, any mod you do to an LT1, the same mod will typically yield more power. I have a 97 Trans Am that if and when the LT1 goes I plan on swapping to LS1. Starting to collect the parts now (LS1 k-member, LS1 wiring harness, LS1 ECU, etc).[/quote]

Yeah I have heard that a couple times, is there a list somewhere of all the parts necessary to make the switch? Maybe I should look for a junked 'Vette and just yank all the components out of it....The prices of rebuilt LT1's seem relatively high, $3k for the block with pistons and cam and then you still need to purchase everything else. Not to mention installation, I guess I should start calling local scrappers out here on the Wet Coast [/quote]

Do you have an auto or 6 speed?[/quote]

It's a 6 speed.

After some thought I want to keep the apperance of stock in the car, its a special car(to me anyways)and I am going to rebuild her. Now the fun part, I would like to make some performance modificiations while the engine is torn apart. However, I do not want so much power that suddenly I need a new clutch or beefer suspension. The crank has to be replaced for sure, and I was wondering if any of you guys could suggest some medium performance parts I could put in their as well i.e cam,intake,pistons etc. Again cost is somewhat of a factor so I have to be careful in what I really should replace and what doesn't need doing. The motor has almost 175,000 miles on her and I really don't want to have to do this again so this would be it as far as major modifications go to it. Any help would be very much appreciated! I'll be sure to post photos as she goes.

[BLACK-HAWK]

i think a stock rebuild should only run about 2k'ish. or go all out, go all motor/ bore & stroke the monster LT1 to 383cubic inches, forged bottom end, heads and intake manifold ported/polished, cam, 58mm throttle body, some bigger injectors, long tube headers/ Y-pipe, maybe a cutout and a tune..... you'll be happy ... makes me wish that's all i did

[97Hawk]

i think a stock rebuild should only run about 2k'ish. or go all out, go all motor/ bore & stroke the monster LT1 to 383cubic inches, forged bottom end, heads and intake manifold ported/polished, cam, 58mm throttle body, some bigger injectors, long tube headers/ Y-pipe, maybe a cutout and a tune..... you'll be happy ... makes me wish that's all i did

Thanks yeah I was definitely thinking forged crank, maybe bore it out. Anyone have any specific parts? i.e the cam, heads, intake etc.?

[Scott Chab]

i think a stock rebuild should only run about 2k'ish. or go all out, go all motor/ bore & stroke the monster LT1 to 383cubic inches, forged bottom end, heads and intake manifold ported/polished, cam, 58mm throttle body, some bigger injectors, long tube headers/ Y-pipe, maybe a cutout and a tune..... you'll be happy ... makes me wish that's all i did

Thanks yeah I was definitely thinking forged crank, maybe bore it out. Anyone have any specific parts? i.e the cam, heads, intake etc.?

You have to do 2 things before you start buying parts. Determine a goal (hp, natrually aspirated or blower/turbo/nitrous) and determine your budget. A forged rotating assembly is more expensive but isn't necessary.

There is no need to bore the motor to get more cubic inches, just change the stroke (crank / rods).

[BLACK-HAWK]

^^ what he said... what's your goal and do you have the money to support it...