I have a 96 z28 in near stock condition with about 150k miles. I finally have some money and time to put into it, and space to work on it. It needs a lot, old 4L60E has some metal in the pan, locking rear end leaks like a siv, and the LT1 is making a strange scraping sound. I'm in the process of planning what I'm going to do with all this.

I think I can get away with rebuilding the trans and rear end, maybe junkyard if needed. I might try to do some autocross someday, but the car is really going to be a Sunday cruiser kind of car. My real question is the motor. I want to be making 400-450 horsepower, hopefully over 400 at the wheels, is that even plausible for an LT1? My first plan is to pull the engine, get the block to a machine shop, and get a clean bill of health. Is it even worth doing that? I've been looking up junkyard LQ4/LQ9 engines that run about $2k, and the TorqueHead kit to get rid of the opti runs about that much.

Basically I'm wondering if my old LT1 is even worth the trouble, if it can put out the kind of power I want, or if I should start looking an LS replacement.

 

I've had my 94 TA since 2000 and as you can see by my sig, I've spent a ton of money on it. I've enjoyed the journey and it's a lot of fun to drive. That being said, if I were starting all over from scratch, knowing what I know now, it would be LS swap, no question. More aftermarket parts, better engine management and more potential imo. You could get to your hp goals with LT, but I'd go with newer technology. Just be aware, though, whichever way you go, it always costs a lot more than you think it will so plan carefully

 

If I stay with the LT1, the TorqueHead kit is a must for me. Coil on plug, ditches the opti, and replaces the PCM with an LS one. I would assume that would give me all the same engine management potential as an LS, but since I haven't done it I'm not entirely sure.

I've been looking at a lot of LS swap info. Seems like I'd be spending a lot of time at junkyards for the parts and pieces I don't have, but I should be able to keep my 4L60E setup, and a newer style K member is all that's needed for mounting. I did see something about accessories being an issue, but I didn't dig deep into that yet. It seems fairly straightforward as long as i'm not forgetting anything.

 

The LT1 is absolutely capable of your power goals. The right heads and cam with appropriate supporting mods and you’re there, no problem. Spring for a stroker crank and it’s even easier.

That said, the number of people who know LT1s is dwindling. The number who can tune them is even smaller. More and more companies that used to make parts for them are stopping. There are some troublesome bits, like the OptiSpark, and some oddball stuff (reverse cooling and the ridiculously expensive waterpump that comes with it) that may trip you up.

Meanwhile, LS parts are getting cheaper and more plentiful; power possibilities are increasing. An LS1 with the right cam and valvetrain and a decent set of headers can make 400 to the wheels easily, not to mention what’s possible with heads added to the mix (or if you start with an LQ4/LQ9, LS2, or any number of other options). Junkyard LS motors are everywhere, because GM used them in trucks and SUVs; LT1 never benefitted from that.

All that said, an LS swap is a hefty bit of work. Tons of small things to figure out. Either way, getting your car to 400rwhp is going to be a project. Nobody but you knows which of these options is more right for you!

Either way, I’m looking forward to reading about your build.

(Personallly, I’m LS3-swapping my LS1 Camaro. )

 

I am in the same boat! Similar situation with a '93 6 speed and want to make a change and not sure which path to choose.
That LS3 sure sounds like a great way to go. That and the fact that GM is killing us with these AC Delco , Chinese, made parts in AC Delco boxes, does not help the situation.

 

Yep, the TorqHead swap is next on my list.

 

Good to see others planning on the TorqHead system. I was just speaking with the owner of TorqHead yesterday. Last week, I re-purchased my old 97 Z28 I owned from 2001-2016. Its currently dead in my Service Department (I work for a Cadillac dealer) 6 days after I bought it. Not 100% sure what's wrong with it yet, but I have a feeling its the Opti.

If it indeed is the Opti, I believe my next call will be to TorqHead to order their full kit. I wanna make this car as reliable as possible because I intend to do a few road trips a year with it.