Is The GM LT1 A Good Engine For A Project Truck?
I keep hearing and reading that the latest and greatest addition that you can add to your classic truck is the GM LT1 engine. When you add Chevrolet’s most technologically advanced engine to one of their classic trucks– you have a very refined and very fast build.
The GM/Chevy LT1 has a lot of good reasons to be a great engine in a classic truck project. Here are some of them:
- LT1 engines have a solid track record
- LT1’s produce excellent HP and torque
- LT1 engines are relatively inexpensive
- LT1’s are even cheaper to buy at I-pull yards
- LT1 engines are easy to install
- LT1’s are durable
- LT1’s are capable of as much as 1000 HP
- LT1 have a profusion of after market performance parts
- LT1 engines are cool now
The truck world is talking about LT1 conversions for their project trucks. Let’s see how easy this can be.
GM’s LT1 Engines Have a Solid Track Record
In 1991, GM created a new-generation small-block engine called the “LT1 350”, distinct from the high-output Generation I LT-1 of the 1970s. It displaced 5.7 L (350 cu in), and was a 2-valve pushrod design.
There were a few different versions of the LT1. All feature a cast iron block, with aluminum heads in the Y and F bodies, and cast iron heads in the B and D bodies. Corvette blocks had four-bolt main caps, while most other blocks were two-bolt main caps. Block castings remained the same between 2 and 4 bolt mains.
This engine was used in:
- Y-body:
- 1992–1996 Chevrolet Corvette C4
- F-body:
- 1993–1997 Chevrolet Camaro Z28, B4C and SS
- 1993–1997 Pontiac Firebird Formula and Trans Am
- B-body:
- 1994-1996 Buick Roadmaster
- 1994–1996 Chevrolet Caprice
- 1994–1996 Chevrolet Caprice police package
- 1994–1996 Chevrolet Impala SS
- 1994–1996 Chevrolet Caprice Wagon
- 1994–1996 Buick Roadmaster Wagon
- D-body:
- 1994–1996 Cadillac Fleetwood
LT1 Engines Produce Excellent HP And Torque
The 94–96 B- and D-body version was rated at 260 hp and 330 lb⋅ft.
| Year | HP | Torque |
| 1992 Y-body | 300 | 330 ft lb |
| 1996 Y-body | 300 | 340 ft lb |
| 93-95 F-body | 275 | 325 ft lb |
| 96-97 B- and D-body | 285 | 335 ft lb |
| 96-97 WS6 and SS F-body | 305 | |
| 94-96 B- and D-body | 260 | 330 ft lb |
LT1 Engines Are Relatively Inexpensive
Like all engines, there are a few different ways to buy them.
There are plenty of places to buy these as crate engines and they can vary in price from $2200 for bare stock long blocks all the way up to $8000 to over $10,000 depending on what kind of horsepower you are looking for.
Where are GM crate engines made? Most of GM’s crate engines are made in Mexico. In the past, GM used to assemble crate engines at its Performance Build Center in Detroit.
What is a crate engine? Crate engines are complete engines delivered to the buyer in a crate. Usually, crate engines are ready to install units sold by a given automaker.
LT1 Engines Are Even Cheaper At I-pull Yards
Pull-your-own-parts wrecking yards will be the choice for those of us building on a budget. These engines are still readily available for $200 to $300. There is usually a core charge of around $50, so find some kind of old engine to give them. Wrecking yards that have them pulled for you are in the $800 to $1000 range, depending on the miles they’ve accumulated and where they are located.
There are plenty of LT1’s listed on eBay ranging from $350 plus shipping way up into the thousands. Again depending on miles, and how they are built, and what they came out of, determines how much you are going to pay. If you are shopping on eBay, you’ll want to do your homework to make sure you are getting a solid engine.
LT1’s Are Easy To Install With Conversion Kits
This can be a difficult installation without an installation kit. Of course you will need to remove your old engine, transmission and driveline to make way for your new motor.
A company called Muscle Rods have been building LS and LT conversion kits for over ten years. Muscle Rods has focused heavily on LS conversions for almost every GM vehicle from ‘55 – 2003, and even Datsun 280Zs and Mustang Fox bodies.
Now that LT engines are becoming more and more prevalent, Muscle Rods saw the need for these conversions early on and already have a kit in development for ‘64-’72 Chevrolet C10 trucks.
Their LT conversion kit focuses on classic C10s from ‘64-‘72 and includes frame brackets for engine mounts, transmission cross members, transmission mounts and all other needed hardware. All hardware is Grade 8 and come with hardened fasteners.
Most forums where I have been researching this installation recommend using the earlier 4L60 or identical 700R4 with automatic overdrive. The original “E” series transmissions need the original stand-alone transmission control computer which can add hundreds if not a couple thousand to your build.
You will need to use some kind of conversion motor mounts and a transmission cross member. You will also need to have your driveline cut to size and have the 700R4 yoke and the required rear end flange installed.
Using something like the Muscle Rods kit will save you a lot of headaches.
LT1 Engines Are Durable
Taxi companies all over this country will tell you that a well maintained LT1 will last upwards of 500K miles. Thats about as hard of a test as a motor can have. I’ve read a lot of articles where owners in forums say that 300-400,000 miles is not unusual.
I know when I buy one I will try to keep the miles around a hundred thousand or less. I don’t want to install it and have to pull it right back out and rebuild it because it’s wore out.
LT1’s Have All the After Market Performance Parts You Could Want
Every upgrade you can desire for an engine is available for the LT1 so don’t worry about building your engine.
Some great places to check out for performance and replacement parts:
- cranecams.com
- jetchip.com
- holley.com
- manticclutchusa.com
- baer.com
- mahlemotorsports.com
- tciauto.com
- edelbrock.com
- chevrolet.com
- specprod.com
- dssracing.com
- fstcarb.com
- speedmaster79.com
- chevroletperformance.com
- autometer.com
- airflowresearch.com
- jepistons.com
- cfrperformance.com
The LT1 should be strong, seeing as how it rumbles at the near end
Larry Griffin, Car and Driver Dec 1991
of an engine family that’s been reproducing since 1955. Chevrolet’s
“little” V-8, with over 60 million built, has become history’s most pro-
lific engine.
LT1 Engines are Capable of 1000 HP
There are plenty of performance after market parts or the LT1 motor but you better be ready to open your wallet pretty far. None of them are cheap and some of them are necessary to complete the swap. If you care or dare to spend the money you can build a torque monster with over 1000 horsepower.
LT1’s Are Cool Now
All you have to do is spend some time at a few car shows this summer and you will see what I’m talking about. You will see some beefed up shiny LT1’s being displayed in cars and trucks. You will see a lot of pride in ownership in these motors just like the rat and mouse owners have.
To me, this (rare but less popular) 1995 Trans Am represented the casual part of the hobby that’s supposed to involve driving a fast, fun car without having to worry too much about how much you spent on it and how awful it would be to get stone chipped or worse. And who knows, maybe that rarity will translate to collector appeal in the future.
Terry McGean
Final Thoughts
After researching this swap, I found the cheapest part of the whole thing can be the price of the engine. There are numerous changes that will need to be made. Most of them can be found at your pull-a-part yards for bargain prices. When I am shopping for used parts, I will list out every part I need to make the swap and see if I can go pull it, or if it is something I will have to buy at the parts store.
I like to plan a project truck build ahead so I don’t get halfway through a project like this and realize it will cost three times more than I planned on and be one of those guys selling his half built project at a huge discount. But those guys loss can be our gain. Happy Trucking!
The Tool Box
When you need to bleed the hydraulic brakes on your classic ride its nice to have the right tools for the job. Heres a brake bleeding kit that can be performed by one person. A handy tool to have.
A transmission jack is a tool that we never think about until the day we need it.
Related Topics
How do I align my truck hood? Under the hood there are hard rubber stoppers on each side close to the edge where the hood is positioned when it is closed. With your hand, loosen or tighten these until the front of the hood gaps are even. The stoppers are for raising and lowering the height of the hood when closed. You can also raise and lower the lower most hood hinge bolts a small amount at a time to raise and lower the back of the hood.
What is the difference in the LT1 and the LS1 engine? The LS1 was way more powerful out of the factory than the LT1. The LS1 was much more advanced than the outgoing LT1 engine. The LS1 featured an all aluminum block, and aluminum heads.
- LT1 Corvette HP: 300 hp
- LT1 Corvette TQ: 330
- LT1 Camaro HP: 285 hp
- LT1 Camaro TQ: 325
- LS1 Corvette HP: 345 hp
- LS1 Corvette TQ: 360
- LS1 Camaro HP: 305 hp
- LS1 Camaro TQ: 340
Sources: wikipedia
June 1996 Issue of Car and Driver
McGean, T, Hemmings Muscle Machines 2019
gmauthority.com
Car and Driver Iconic Cars: Corvette, 2015
Read about how to tell if your engine is an LT1 in this post
