Hot Rod Forum banner

LT1 Pistons & Rods

4K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  stinmar1 
#1 ·
Will it work or will there be any problems with replacing pistons & rods from a new LT1 into an earlier 350 engine?
 
#3 ·
Tom,
I have an extra set of LT1 pistons and rods is the reason that I wanted to use them for this project. I'm putting them in a good older 350 block that I am going to send out and have heads refreshed. I'm going to put the thick head gaskets on it because I'm putting a 371 blower w/750 carburetor that I am going to underdrive 30%. I'm not concerned as much about performance as I am about reliability because I'm putting it in an open 1930 Ply roadster to drive and have fun with on sunny days. Thank you for your quick reply on this matter. Any other suggestions?
Roy
 
#5 ·
I agree with Tom on lower compression pistons and the late model rods aint to swift in a blower motor . I have 4 bent forged lt1 rods from a blower engine at 8.0 to one compression . If you want a good fun driver for show use aftermarket forged pistons and a good set of aftermarket rods . You need to put some thought into this project as far as how far will I drive it at what temperatures . If you plan a beach trip or vacation rod run you need to keep your compression below 8.5 ,,even better 8.0 with a blower . Engines build alot of heat with blowers and if your blower is oiled by your engine oil like some are it will cook your oil on a long trip . we had some fun a while back with a 350 low compression truck engine and a bm street blower and cam kit . The engine made lots of torque and turned up quick . It made a perfect street rod engine . It didn't have heating problems and it actually knocked 20mpg down with a slightly modified 700 r4 . We grafted an air conditioner compressor down low to cool the coupe on muggy days and help defrost defog the windshield . We got well over 400 hp out of it and its a daily driver too . Patience and planning . If you think bigger is better , as far as blowers go that aint so because . The bigger the blower the more cam and porting are necessary and if you cram all that air and fuel in a cylinder the bottom end needs big bucks spent on it to keep from grenading the pistons and rods . Another thing , low compression street blower engines run fine on regular where the bigger blower engines need premium and octane boosters or its spark knock city . Im not an expert and Im sure someone else has an opinion but this is my personal experiance from 20 years of engine building .
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top