LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Congrats, its an olds!
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Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?
If the Olds 350 has 3A or the windowed block, it is not worth $600. The #8 headed 350 Olds only need flat top pistons and a mild cam for decent performance. The LT1 is not a cheap sbc to build, many specific and expensive parts. It does have good fuel economy and power from the factory. A mild Olds 350 can use the carb, distributor, pulleys and all accesories off the 307.
If the Olds 350 has 3A or the windowed block, it is not worth $600. The #8 headed 350 Olds only need flat top pistons and a mild cam for decent performance. The LT1 is not a cheap sbc to build, many specific and expensive parts. It does have good fuel economy and power from the factory. A mild Olds 350 can use the carb, distributor, pulleys and all accesories off the 307.
87z16
Not-quite-so-new-guy
Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?
i have the same opinion. olds should be olds.
but the LT1 is a good motor for torque and economy. but if u are getting the transmission, 4l60e, u should be able to to either modify your cross member from the 200 4r to fit but it would be easier if u just got an iceman unit, about $200, and it will also tighten up the car, a two fold reason to get it. my suggestion for the wiring is get a howells unit,about $400. i have heard great things that people say about them. it is basically a plug in for the computer, DEFINITELY GET THE COMPUTER FROM THE CAR THE ENGINE IS FROM. u would have to have the VATS programmed out and also tell them of the setup that u have so ur speedo should work properly,engine transmission rear/gears, about $100. youd also have to switch the gas tank and sending unit and add an electric fuel pump, about $300. you would need to add an electric fan, $100 used?? then a few other things. it would be more cost effective and easier to drop the olds engine in.
oh and what year LT1 is it?? there are 3 different styles. 92-93 is unventilated opti. 94-96 ventilated opti. 96 has a crankshaft sensor. then u got OBD I, has 2 O2 sensors each b4 the cat, and OBD II, has 4 O2 sensors(1 in front of the cat & one in back on each side). the 94 with the ventilated opti and OBD I is best and easier to modify. also while the engine is out you need to change the knock sensor to the sensors from the LT4. they allow more noise from the valve train, this is an extremely noisy engine, if u ever dicide to update the engine at a later time. it is near impossible to get to the sensors when they r installed. also thre are fitment issues of the accessories by the crossmember. the b bodies serp sys is better for this but not perfect. you can get rid of the a/c but u may have to notch the frame a bit.
i am a proponent of the LT1. but they are more work to install than most want to do. i love the almost instant power and the torque. then the mileage when i keep out of the throttle body.
but if u get the olds if u have an inspection dont tell the inspector. u will automatically fail. u r installing an older engine into a newer car.
good luck for either option that you choose!!
i have the same opinion. olds should be olds.
but the LT1 is a good motor for torque and economy. but if u are getting the transmission, 4l60e, u should be able to to either modify your cross member from the 200 4r to fit but it would be easier if u just got an iceman unit, about $200, and it will also tighten up the car, a two fold reason to get it. my suggestion for the wiring is get a howells unit,about $400. i have heard great things that people say about them. it is basically a plug in for the computer, DEFINITELY GET THE COMPUTER FROM THE CAR THE ENGINE IS FROM. u would have to have the VATS programmed out and also tell them of the setup that u have so ur speedo should work properly,engine transmission rear/gears, about $100. youd also have to switch the gas tank and sending unit and add an electric fuel pump, about $300. you would need to add an electric fan, $100 used?? then a few other things. it would be more cost effective and easier to drop the olds engine in.
oh and what year LT1 is it?? there are 3 different styles. 92-93 is unventilated opti. 94-96 ventilated opti. 96 has a crankshaft sensor. then u got OBD I, has 2 O2 sensors each b4 the cat, and OBD II, has 4 O2 sensors(1 in front of the cat & one in back on each side). the 94 with the ventilated opti and OBD I is best and easier to modify. also while the engine is out you need to change the knock sensor to the sensors from the LT4. they allow more noise from the valve train, this is an extremely noisy engine, if u ever dicide to update the engine at a later time. it is near impossible to get to the sensors when they r installed. also thre are fitment issues of the accessories by the crossmember. the b bodies serp sys is better for this but not perfect. you can get rid of the a/c but u may have to notch the frame a bit.
i am a proponent of the LT1. but they are more work to install than most want to do. i love the almost instant power and the torque. then the mileage when i keep out of the throttle body.
but if u get the olds if u have an inspection dont tell the inspector. u will automatically fail. u r installing an older engine into a newer car.
good luck for either option that you choose!!
Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?
I have to agree with the others about keeping an Olds engine in an Oldsmobile. To me, once you start down the road of adding a chevy motor/removing the Olds, you have started the process of removing the soul of the car. Sure, it will always look like it always has and it may even be a better car to drive with the chevy powerplant...but the heart of any car is the engine, and to me, an Olds motor makes any Oldsmobile, but especially a 442 or H/O, that much more special than it already is.... Good luck with your choice, in either case.
I have to agree with the others about keeping an Olds engine in an Oldsmobile. To me, once you start down the road of adding a chevy motor/removing the Olds, you have started the process of removing the soul of the car. Sure, it will always look like it always has and it may even be a better car to drive with the chevy powerplant...but the heart of any car is the engine, and to me, an Olds motor makes any Oldsmobile, but especially a 442 or H/O, that much more special than it already is.... Good luck with your choice, in either case.
Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?
Put in what you want it's your car.Either one is nice depending if you can handle all the extra work doing the Ls1. It may look good in your mind but if you run into computer problems and other install issues you might as well go for the old 350 Olds set up and on the road enjoying it.No one wants to see you sell an unfinished project for cheap.In my opinion I would keep the Olds setup,but if the right deal came up I'd do it[LS1] depending on the particular car.
Put in what you want it's your car.Either one is nice depending if you can handle all the extra work doing the Ls1. It may look good in your mind but if you run into computer problems and other install issues you might as well go for the old 350 Olds set up and on the road enjoying it.No one wants to see you sell an unfinished project for cheap.In my opinion I would keep the Olds setup,but if the right deal came up I'd do it[LS1] depending on the particular car.
Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?
I vote Olds in the Olds, but I'm like that. However as the father of a kid with an LT1 Firebird I say RUN don't walk away from the LT1 if it has the Opti-Spark nightmare ignition. Goggle it and see what I mean. My only concern with the Olds would be the year, 1970, may be a bit higher compression than you'd want with today's cat-piss gas.
I vote Olds in the Olds, but I'm like that. However as the father of a kid with an LT1 Firebird I say RUN don't walk away from the LT1 if it has the Opti-Spark nightmare ignition. Goggle it and see what I mean. My only concern with the Olds would be the year, 1970, may be a bit higher compression than you'd want with today's cat-piss gas.
Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?
i agree olds in olds. I have run as high as 11.5 to one on 93 octane pump gas ran fine.
Bonnewagon said:
i agree olds in olds. I have run as high as 11.5 to one on 93 octane pump gas ran fine.
Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?
Of course your decision, but do not be scared of opti spark if it is the vented style, they are no more trouble than an hei. People hear horror stories or have a problem with one and assume the worst, the vented opti is a terrific trouble free system. I've logged well over 200k miles on them and never, ever had a failure.
Of course your decision, but do not be scared of opti spark if it is the vented style, they are no more trouble than an hei. People hear horror stories or have a problem with one and assume the worst, the vented opti is a terrific trouble free system. I've logged well over 200k miles on them and never, ever had a failure.
Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?
I dunno RandyW. Most shops won't even take on that job, that's how I got stuck with it. The original Opti was killed by the usual leaking water pump. The one someone replaced it with was an MSD vented, and it only lasted 6 months. I used a Delphi vented, and I disassembled it, locktighted the rotor screws, and sealed it with Boat-Life Life Caulk. Keeping fingers crossed.
I dunno RandyW. Most shops won't even take on that job, that's how I got stuck with it. The original Opti was killed by the usual leaking water pump. The one someone replaced it with was an MSD vented, and it only lasted 6 months. I used a Delphi vented, and I disassembled it, locktighted the rotor screws, and sealed it with Boat-Life Life Caulk. Keeping fingers crossed.
Re: LT1 or Olds 350-rebuilt? Why?
Most won't mess with them because of the sh*t parts store units they use to replace a faulty gm one. I've sold reman optis to local shops only to have the car back a few weeks later. You did good by buying a Delphi. That is one thing you need to replace with a GM part is the opti. The vented style rarely have problems. I will agree having the optispark right there under the waterpump is stupid but it's not the worst thing I have seen.
Most won't mess with them because of the sh*t parts store units they use to replace a faulty gm one. I've sold reman optis to local shops only to have the car back a few weeks later. You did good by buying a Delphi. That is one thing you need to replace with a GM part is the opti. The vented style rarely have problems. I will agree having the optispark right there under the waterpump is stupid but it's not the worst thing I have seen.
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