Dave88LX

Maybe I'm not seeing something...bear with me here.

I was looking up the prices of some stuff...Here's what I can find off Ebay, with the stuff fairly new or brand new...


LT4 Hotcam kit $475
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33614
(This kit comes with the LT4 Camshaft,1.6 Aluminum Roller Rockers Arms, LT4 Valve Springs, Valve Caps, Valve Keys, and Shims. )

LT4 Heads $900 (I'm sure some used ones can be found cheaper)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=36474

LT4 Intake $200
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=36474


That's almost $1700 for 45HP...going from 285 to 330...Like I said, I'm sure you can find the stuff used for better deals...but still...

I saw the LT1 vs LT4 comparison page, haven't read completely through it...but I don't really think the cost of the stuff justifies the "small" HP gain?

For anyone who wants to explain, thanks for your time!

Dave

Injuneer

You may be missing something... appears you are saying a stock LT4 is 330HP... and maybe that's what the LT4 Vettes were rated at, but they did not come with the HOT cam... that is an upgrade that adds more HP.

More Performance did a dyno test with the full boat... LT's, large TB and some other goodies, and got over 400HP. The test was a little misleading, because they claimed 429HP but failed to note they were using a $3,500+ MoTeC computer for tuning, and a few more things they failed to mention.

But that should indicate the potential for the "conversion" is a bit more than 45HP.

1994TransAm

hey man,

glad you could see through all that BS the magazines tell ya


plan and simple...the LT4 conversion kit is a COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY if you trying to gain 45 hp


a CAI, cutout, and headers gives you more than a 45+ hp gain depending on LT's or shorties. i could understand buying the heads for porting since they can flow better than a ported LT1 head. the intake is needed for LT4 heads i beleive since the LT1 is different.

the hotcam kit is a good idea....nice buy for what you get.

anyways.... the fact someone would buy the conversion kit just to say "it has a LT4" is lame.... the stock LT1 block is a 2 bolt main....LT4 is 4 bolt and thats about 300 $ to convert also. but its not needed.


LT4's are cool.... making your LT1 into a fake LT4 (2 bolt vs 4 bolt) just to get 45 hp isn't a great idea.

I'm sure many would advise that there is an easy 45+ just waiting to be found without touching the heads on a LT1.!!!!!!


good luck, sorry to rant..but every time i hear this kid in my town say "i'm converting to a LT4".... i

later dude

94F1Z28

Well it is expensive and you could gain more power for alot less money,but the reason it cost so much is that those parts are factory gm parts and they are trick pieces.The LT4 heads are excellent for a factory head and are better than alot of aftermarket heads.So is it worth the money to buy those peices,well i don't think so but it really depends on what the person wants,if you want all out performance than no but if you want good performance but want something that the factory built then yes.In my opinion the LT4 engine is the greatest SBC ever built by GM and is as trick and powerful as any LS1 and takes 2nd place to no other engine with the exception of the LS6 & LT5.

turbo_Z

how about the LT4 hotcam kit... Advance induction heads(econoport flows more than LT4 and about hte same price)... then get your LT1 intake powdercoated red

teke184

i would think, and i think i've seen...cars with the hotcam kit and stock lt1 heads ported, with tuning make around 350hp at the wheels...that would lead me to think you'd pick up more than just the "45hp"...

why waste the money on the lt4 heads and iintake when, if you aren't looking for sick hp, you could do just as well with stock ported heads and intake

in my head i'm thinkin...
basic bolt on car makes 280-290hp, hotcammed car makes 350hp...so $500 for hc kit, and $1200 for ported heads, and $300 for misc. parts (always happens)...so $2000 for 60hp sounds reasonable to me.

Dave88LX

Wouldn't that make it 3rd to none? J/K

I see what you guys are saying. Kind of paying extra for Genuine GM parts? I guess it could be compared to getting some Ford GT-40 (X,P?) heads and a GT-40 or Cobra intake..

This answer may be out there if I did a search, but anyone know off their head what just the "Hotcam", Heads, and Intake are worth HP wise on an otherwise stock LT1 setup? (incl stock exhaust)

Yeah the hotcam kit does seem like a nice little package though. I just don't want to pay for it

I'm at a point now where I have to rebuild my engine...most likely spun a bearing, will find out w/in a couple days hopefully. I want to spend the money on my turbo mustang project, but while this chebby is apart, if I can do anything relatively cheap it's hard to resist.

96blackbeast

you also forgot gaskets almost another $200, fluids, head bolts (57.00 shipped from summit); IMO there are better ways to get more HP than the LT4 conversion.

ryker77

You can find used supercharger and turbo setups for the 2000 price range. I think there is two on ebay right now.

LWillmann

My understanding was that the LT4 heads had higher ports to improve port velocity. While you can port LT1 heads and get more flow, you can still port the LT4s more later and end up better off than you could ever get with the LT1 heads.

I believe that the stock LT4 F-body cars were starting at around 315, and that's without the hotcam.

So if you get a ~30-45hp boost from the LT4 hotcam on a stock headed LT1, then surely you'll get 10 more than that on a LT4 just because of the better intake and head flow.

So you get to start in the ballpark of 350 instead of 320 before you ever start porting the heads...

You can get more with less money, sure you can get a blower and worry about your head gaskets depending on boost levels.

You could even get a nitrous kit and throw at least a 100hp shot of nitrous into that thing for WAY less money...

kgkern01

The very few LT4 f-bodies that were made were rated at 330 HP, just like the Vette

RealQuick

Just the hotcam kit and tuning should get you in the 40hp range. Not bad for 475 bucks.

Dave88LX

Nobody would happen to have any dyno graphs would they? Specifically stock LT1, and LT1 w/ the LT4 hotcam.

East Bridgewater huh? Sweet, I grew up in Bridgewater, graduated from B-R in '98. If you know or see Dominic Buccella tell him he's a mo-f'ing dumbass and he deserves to get his *** kicked AGAIN.

T/A KID

I beleive the LT4 F-body's dyno'ed around 310-325 at the wheels STOCK. Not my LS1's dyno that stock (but there are exceptions)
OUt 2000 SS M6 with a borla exhuast pulled 304RWHP on the dyno when we first got it. so I am assuming the a4's dyno around 280RWHP.
SO the LT4 and LS1 are very similiar.
BTW LT4 ported heads would be the best bet for best performance.

RicocheT

If you have to rebuild the motor anyway just build a 383. The 2 bolt mains will hold up unless you plan on making gobs of horsepower.. If you plan on that theN I'd look for a 4bolt block, or look into getting yours made into a 4bolt.
As far as the heads go I think the lt-1 heads will be fine if ported and made for bigger valves and of course put a cam and a good valvetrain behind it. You should at least run a really low 13 or high 12 in the 1/4 depending on traction. (i'd hope for a 12 myself but like i said traction!)
I built a 383 for a friend b/c he spun a couple of bearings himself, he didn't have the money for the topend work, but we did the bottom end and it runs pretty good.. If he had traction he would run a mid to low 13. Right now his mph is in the 104mph area so it's got some power. and like i said thats JUST bottom end work, stock everything else