onebad85z28

So heres my issue. I currently have a lt1 in my 88 rs. all of my buddies seem to think that I need to remove that motor and put in 5.3 vortec. I personally think the lt1 is underrated but I can't decide what direction to go. my goal is a 450rwhp street car. it will rarely see a strip and I'm on a budget (:-( boooo) of about 3k. Can I get the lt1 to that power level on that budget. Or is a diy turbo vortec my best bet. what do you all think I should do...

gmstrong

I think the ls is your best bet.

whitedevilTA

iTrader: (8)

Both engines are very capable of that power. Since you already have the LT1, I'd say it would be cheaper to hit your goal to mod that engine. In all honesty though, I believe the 5.3 will offer more upgradeability down the road, and will have a much higher HP potential dollar for dollar than the LT1, especially if you boost it!

1ADan

iTrader: (4)

while I too would opt for the 5.3, I dont think $3k would be sufficient to do the complete swap unless you're making/modding everything yourself (including exhaust, trans crossmember, wiring, etc). the engine itself is the cheap parts in the equation

although, if you do go 5.3, you can always upgrade to something bigger later and not have to do the modding all over again....

onebad85z28

I had an offer for 900 for the lt1 and t5wc. 400 for Just the motor. so the budget for a turbo 5.3 would be about 4k. all the turbo piping would be fabricated by a buddy who is a welder by trait. could I get it in under 4k. keep in mind I can pick up the vortec from a boneyard by my house for 300 w/ 112k on clock. planned on keeping stock bottom end.. probably get heads and a custom ground Cam for boost. I'm so divided just cause I have $1300 invested in the lt1 swap already. sometimes though.. you just have to take a loss. and sorry if I rambled on for a bit there.

whitedevilTA

iTrader: (8)

I can tell you out of personal experience that my boosted 5.3 has MUCH more than $4K into the setup. I'm def a bit more on the extreme end I would say since you could always use cheaper parts, but when doing a turbo setup...don't underestimate cost. I would say in 100% honesty that it's probably going to cost you about $4K to do the swap with no turbo stuff at all. Consider the fact that you'd need an LSx compatible tranny, new wiring, the swap mounts, PCM + tune, F body oil pan, front accesories, and intake setup, and a fuel system to support the engine with boost. It adds up quick! I speak from experience haha!

onebad85z28

thats why i was thinking turbo 355 lt1 .. forged pistons(from my understanding the weakest point is the cast pistons).. stock heads ported by ai (200cc chambers).. cam. throttle body.. injectors.. then throw a turbo at the lt1 have fun till the t5 breaks and save up for a t56 while trying to break the t5.. (hopefully the motor doesn't go first lol) i'm sure it will be more then i have in my budget.. but the gf might just have to wait till next year for that coach purse cause the mistress needs a turbocharger lol...

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

I wouldn't take out an LT1 to put in a 5.3. And I'm an LS sell-out.

whitedevilTA

iTrader: (8)

I kinda feel the same way if were talking N/A. But if you plan on going boosted from the start, the 5.3 can have some serious benefits over the LT1.

89rs454

I Swapped in an lt1 last summer and it is a great engine in a Third gen. The engine sits up further so you can actually work on it unlike the 4th gens and tbh it's faster in a Third Gen "you can't tell them fourth gen boys that, They make excuses".

I couldn't be more happy how my LT1 performed in my 89 Camaro.

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

Love my crammed lt1

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

As I understood the scenario, boost would only be done if needed to get to the desired power level.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Agreed on both points

cprmn14

iTrader: (3)

3k will easily put you past your 450 rwhp goal with the lt1. If you swap in a stock 5.3 your pretty much at square one.. With a drained bank account

cerhart

I'd agree and if your gonna swap it out just find at least the 6.0 ls than it would be in the right direction at least in my opinion

FSTFBDY

iTrader: (33)

take hat $ and get those AI 200 heads and custm ground cam. Toss em on the stock bottom end for now. It will live. take the rest of your $ and get a good tune.

Boost the LT1 later. Then again Im biased.

"if I didnt already have a bulletproof lt1 setup. id of gone LSx with boost.