The nastiest stock block LT-5/ZR-1?

[fleet]

There are 427-441 cid LT-5 strokers now making 700 hp n/a, but this bad boy still has its stock block/stock CR. I came across the vid below because I've been looking to buy a lightly used LT-5 from the '90-'95 ZR-1. They sell for $5-$6K now. MPG... if that's a question. Well, its about the same as an LS motor from what I remember. The LT-5 is arguably the most durable production engine ever built. It was designed that way intentionally.

"In 1990, the ZR-1 set a 24 hour speed endurance record at the Firestone test track in Fort Stockton Texas using a near-stock LT5 engine with only minor modifications, including removal of the catalytic converters. The Tommy Morrison racing team averaged 175 mph (282 km/h), including time for re-fueling and several driver changes."

Plus IMO its got its own exotic way of sounding very nasty; see vid. Good speakers advised. :cool:

It's been modded since, but in 2008 it did these #'s.
'91 #1635 Polo Green 350 LT5
11.09 @ 129.27
474RWHP 400RWTQ (with cams swapped, head porting and intake mods, chip etc).

SFNFOhGGlR4

The '90-'95 ZR-1 guys are fanatical in the support of this motor and very willing to help.

http://www.zr1netregistry.com/forum/index.php

This is in a '48 Chevy P/U that was in the mags. I like the understated look... if you can call an LT-5 understated.

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/5615/0804tr05z1948chevy5wind.jpg (http://img194.imageshack.us/i/0804tr05z1948chevy5wind.jpg/)

[Vegas69]

We have a local that runs a 91 Red ZR1 at the autocross events. He is actually one of the chairmen. My goal is to beat him soon. He got me by 1.5 this time. He's on A6's and trailers to the track though. I don't know how reliable they are 19 years later but he sure loves his.

[fleet]

From the time I've spent on that forum researching the LT-5, the motor itself seems to have a very strong record of reliability. A fair amount of owners use them as their DD's. Even have a 100,000 mile club listed. Then there are the other guys that keep the miles real low, likely due to the fact that only 6939 ZR-1's were produced for sale starting in 1989 and ending in 1995.

Skip

[69496]

I know a guy who has owned one since new. He calls it the green weenie. He drives the hell out of it. Drove it daily for a long time and also ran alot of open track events. He did fairly mild mods to it and it was very fast. After he drove a new ZO6 though he bought one of those too.

[fleet]

Yes, quite a few owners of '90-95 ZR-1 also own a C-5 or C-6 and appreciate the upgrades in creature comforts and handling.

But from what I read they'd sell those before selling the ZR-1.

#1 reason seems to be they say there is nothing like hearing the sound of those 4 cams at 7K+. :cool:

This mildly modded one seems to hit 8K in 1st gear.:thumbsup:

E0Egyp4N-uA

[WSSix]

Amazing motor. Though it is physically large. You'll need to be careful about what you put this in. I love them though. I love seeing them used in builds too.

[fleet]

Amazing motor. Though it is physically large. You'll need to be careful about what you put this in. I love them though. I love seeing them used in builds too.

You are right they are big.

I look forward to seeing the completed LT-5 powered '67 Camaro that belongs to Lat-g member Perry Mitchell and his brother.

I've run across 6 other LT-5 swaps going on right now. C-4 ZR-1's and LT-5 prices coming down are really helping generate interest in that swap it would appear.

[Flash68]

I think this is a killer swap idea. You gonna make it happen Skip?

I didn't know there were any in the works already.

[fleet]

I think this is a killer swap idea. You gonna make it happen Skip?

I didn't know there were any in the works already.

Don't want to say yes until I know for sure. Certainly leaning that way.

Here's a couple of the LT-5 swap builds..

'67 Camaro

http://www.lateral-g.net/members/mitchell/ (http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/../members/mitchell/)

'63 Corvette SWC

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=13669

Eckert has done 3 LT-5 swaps it looks like. I like this LT-5powered Ferrari Daytona Spyder clone they built.

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/projects_ferrari.php

[fleet]

Lingenfelter modified the intakes this way...looks awesome in pic #2.


Original

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7445/topend5.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/i/topend5.jpg/)

This is a LPE 415 cid stroker...now some builders are doing 441 cid versions.


http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/836/img8827l.jpg (http://img195.imageshack.us/i/img8827l.jpg/)

[WSSix]

Siamese runners?

Is there another PCM option other than the archaic one used to control them when new?

[fleet]

Siamese runners?

Is there another PCM option other than the archaic one used to control them when new?

Yes, I found someone that has an excellent rep and they have done a few.

That LPE 415 cid LT-5 above did these numbers.

"Dyno testing (2006) showed 576 corrected rear wheel horsepower through the mufflers (in ambient air temperature of 101 degrees)."

The leading LT-5 tuning guru nowadays is Mark Haibeck and he updated that 415.

http://www.zr1specialist.com/index.htm

[Flash68]

Very cool. Yeah those LPE runners looks rad!

[fleet]

Yes Flashy Camaro guy, there is much radness in this modded intake. :unibrow:

That thing would look good under any hood...uh maybe not under the hood of a used van. :wow:


http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/836/img8827l.jpg (http://img195.imageshack.us/i/img8827l.jpg/)

[70rs]

That motor would make even a used van cool. Go for it if you can, it would be a killer when done. What chassis are you thinking of using it in?

[fleet]

That motor would make even a used van cool. Go for it if you can, it would be a killer when done. What chassis are you thinking of using it in?

Do you mean 1st or 2nd gen Camaro, Chevelle, Tri-Five etc?
Or did you mean all Camaro chassis options like AME, DSE, Speedtech, Jake's, Chassis Works, AirRide etc?

[srh3trinity]

I have always liked the LT-5 motor from an aesthetic point of view. It doesn't hurt that it is very capable on top of that.

[fleet]

I have always liked the LT-5 motor from an aesthetic point of view. It doesn't hurt that it is very capable on top of that.

Agreed.

I like the fact that with few mods they make 500 fwhp. Changing the CR and cams plus intake tweaks can make 600 fwhp while but still keeping the 350 cid.

Coupled with how they sound and look, they have a lot of appeal IMO.

The additional complexity isn't for everyone of course, which is good since no one is making new ones...yet.