Question: Rebuilding Lt1 ?

[surfer93]

The only rebuild kit for the LT1 seems to be the Federal Mogul kit from Summit. But the oil pump it comes with is for f-bodies and I have searched and everyone seems to think the piston is very heavy.

So can someone recommend a build kit for vettes or where to get all the gaskets and stuff?
And who has a light weight piston .030 over?

Thanks!!

 

[Rex S]

My son is going through this right now with his 93 and by the looks of things there is no "kit" available so the parts are being gathered the old fashion way, one at a time. Biggest problem right now are trying to find forged pistons in standard or .010 over. Cylinder bores still have the factory cross hatch so he doesn't want to punch it .030 just because every one else does.

 

[vetteoz]

The only rebuild kit for the LT1 seems to be the Federal Mogul kit from Summit. But the oil pump it comes with is for f-bodies and I have searched and everyone seems to think the piston is very heavy.
So can someone recommend a build kit for vettes or where to get all the gaskets and stuff?And who has a light weight piston .030 over?

The LT1 takes all the regular SBC internals so you can buy any SBC pistons to your liking.
The only difference on a Vette is oil pump pickup due to the shallower pan ; LT1 takes regular SBC pump
The only "LT1" parts on a LT1 are the heads , timing set up and water pump ; the bottom end uses all the same 1 pce seal crank stuff as used in all '87+ SBC
If you are after something special would be better to buy individual items and not a " kit "

 

[aboatguy]

The LT1 takes all the regular SBC internals so you can buy any SBC pistons to your liking.............If you are after something special would be better to buy individual items and not a " kit "

I agree....rotating assembly is standard SBC

I suggest 6" scat rods and mahle power pack pistons....this will provide a lighter rotating assembly and its relatively inexpensive too..

 

[surfer93]

I agree....rotating assembly is standard SBC

I suggest 6" scat rods and mahle power pack pistons....this will provide a lighter rotating assembly and its relatively inexpensive too..

This is a car that will not be raced or abused, Mahle is nice, but I cannot see paying $750 for pistons. This is just a stock rebuild, I am looking to keep as close to stock as I can.
Looking to keep from having to rebalance the rotating assembly, so I am looking for pistons at the stock bob weight.
Oh and cost is a big issue right now.

Thanks, should have posted all this the first time.

 

[aboatguy]

This is a car that will not be raced or abused, Mahle is nice, but I cannot see paying $750 for pistons. This is just a stock rebuild, I am looking to keep as close to stock as I can.
Looking to keep from having to rebalance the rotating assembly, so I am looking for pistons at the stock bob weight.
Oh and cost is a big issue right now.

Thanks, should have posted all this the first time.

Shop around IE don't hit the big Name stores they are not the cheapest....as far as I remember I did not have 800 bones into the rods and pistons/pins/rings...etc..
Balancing is cheap and in my case lightened the rotating assembly even more....(machinist had to cut butt ton off of the crank IOT make up for the lighter rods and pistons.

.....And who has a light weight piston .030 over?

Thanks!!

I'm sorry I mistook your initial post asking about lightweight pistons as a request for info on inexpensive durable lightweight pistons....

Check out flatlander racing they often have specials there...

Honestly the cost of redoing your stock rods correctly is not much cheaper than buying forged scat rods.....and price was same for 6 inch rods as for the stock length sooooo longer rods with inherently lighter pistons were a no brainer for me.

.Good luck

Mike

 

[KANE]

Don't forget- the LT1 head gaskets are different from a GEN1 SBC... reverse flow cooling.

 

[vetteoz]

This is just a stock rebuild, I am looking to keep as close to stock as I can.

Set of 30 over Hypers under $200
Keith Black/KB Pistons KB106-030 - Keith Black Hypereutectic Pistons - Overview - SummitRacing.com
New Speed Pro SBC Chevy 350 Flat top Pistons .30 Over : eBay Motors (item 150403206748 end time Feb-05-10 07:20:47 PST)

And who has a light weight piston .030 over?

By asking that , it would be reasonable to assume you were after a hi-performance forged replacement ; not a stock piston

 

[surfer93]

Set of 30 over Hypers under $200
Keith Black/KB Pistons KB106-030 - Keith Black Hypereutectic Pistons - Overview - SummitRacing.com
New Speed Pro SBC Chevy 350 Flat top Pistons .30 Over : eBay Motors (item 150403206748 end time Feb-05-10 07:20:47 PST)


By asking that , it would be reasonable to assume you were after a hi-performance forged replacement ; not a stock piston

Not really, heard the Fed. Mogul weighed a lot more than stock, so I ASSUMED the stock was light.

 

[vetteoz]

, heard the Fed. Mogul weighed a lot more than stock,

The old TRW pistons were reported as being heavy but as they come out of the box, aftermarket pistons are intended as drop in replacements without a need for rebalancing.
As noted , there is nothing special about a LT1 piston; any 350 SBC piston will work

 

[surfer93]

Thank you!!

 

[surfer93]

Are Sealed Power pistons good?

 

[Curious George]

I am looking at pistons too for a SBC 350 rebuild (standard roller 350, not an LT1). I was looking at the Sealed Power pistons and am trying to decide between the cast or hypereutectic's. I'll probably choose the hyper's.

From everything I have read, for a budget rebuild they're perfect. They are basically the same as OE parts, perhaps slightly better.

CG

 

[JAKE]

The only rebuild kit for the LT1 seems to be the Federal Mogul kit from Summit. But the oil pump it comes with is for f-bodies and I have searched and everyone seems to think the piston is very heavy.

So can someone recommend a build kit for vettes or where to get all the gaskets and stuff?
And who has a light weight piston .030 over?

Thanks!!

I just saw this thread, so if you haven't started your buying spree yet, I'll see what I can find for you.

How about starting with the year of the LT1 since GM changed things as they always do.

As far as the " build kit", what parts are you looking to have included? Just gaskets and such or rings, bearings, etc. too?

When I built the 388 for my 96 I went with individual gaskets/parts approach.

Jake

 

[surfer93]

I am still looking for parts and advice. Think I am going to go w/pistons in vetteoz's reply.
Thanks

 

[JAKE]

As always, there are going to be different views on the parts to use. Best thing to do, and what I do when doing something like this, is to come up with a plan.

I sit down with my pen and paper and write down exactly what my goal is. When it comes to engine mods, how I plan to use the car, what my expectations are, etc.

There are a lot of variables involved, like budget, whether the car will be a daily driver, whether emissions are a concern, gasoline quality, idle characteristics, how much of the work you can do, on and on.

So once you've come up with a plan, you can begin to zero in on the actual parts that will get you where you want to be.

Remember, the Devil's in the Details, so if you could share some of that with use, we could be more specific and detailed.

I'd like to help as best I can, but right now I'd just be shooting in the air not knowing which way you want to go.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

Jake

 

[Curious George]

Are you going with the Keith Black or Sealed Power's? I can't see the value in the KB's if it is just a budget rebuild.

CG

 

[surfer93]

Going w/sealed Power, just rebuilding because of oil leaks and 180k miles.
Not looking for power, just a dependable car and being out of work, cost is a big thing.