Worth getting this LT1?

In the boneyard today, came across a 94 Camaro with an LT1 in it. It looks like it may have been there for a short amount of time because some light rust was developing on the crank pulley, although we just had a few days of rain here in SoCal so that might be why.

The motor is all there except the driver side valve cover. The head that the cover is missing from is super clean though, on the inside the casting looks like it could have been done last week. The outside is clean as well. Oil pan had a bit of a dent in it but that's no concern for a swap...this motor had a pin coming out the cam area which I assume is for the distributor, it had splines on it if that helps identify. Both exhaust manifolds were still there too, but the harness was somewhat chopped up, but those are easy to find in Caprices etc...

I can pick up the whole motor (automatic by the way) for $250 or so, about $300 with a 'warranty' that lets me take the motor back for refund minus the warranty cost. Think it's worth picking up? The gauge cluster was gone so no idea on mileage.

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Are you going to rebuild it or clean it up and install as is?

were i to get it, id open it up and see what needs to be replaced. leakdown test etc. probably rod bearings and headgaskets at a minimum.

The part that is missing is the water pump, the optispark distributor is still there.... Im not sure if you can use the stock exhaust manifolds. You're taking a risk if you can't hear it run. You could probably find a complete one with a history and save yourself some money in the end. Since you live in California, you'll need all the emissions controls which are missing.... I'd continue to look for a complete engine with all accessories & wiring.

emissions stuff id probably go all new with were i to do a swap anyways...

another part of this dilemma is that for the same price i can buy a complete 951 engine...

Do it that way and it's going to cost you a fortune. Find something complete

The only way I would do an LT1 is if the headers were 100% no modding required. Opti-Crap fix will leave a dent in your wallet too.

There are headers that are bolt on and require no modding; but I'm not sure if he can use them since he's from California. I think there's a couple guys who have a LT1 that are California emissions compliant on here. Maybe he can ask them what they did.
New opti's are not cheap that's for sure! I was lucky enough to find a LT1 with a new MSD opti. I'm happy with the LT1, the car fly's!!

I used stk manifolds to get past the BAR. Than I sent them to Dawg and switched over to RH shorties and none of the subsequent smog checks even raised an eye brow. Then I moved to Florida where they say "What's a smog check?"

sbwrench wrote:I used stk manifolds to get past the BAR. Than I sent them to Dawg and switched over to RH shorties and none of the subsequent smog checks even raised an eye brow. Then I moved to Florida where they say "What's a smog check?"

And I loaned them to someone else and they dissappeared. I use the Pacesetter LT1 Corvette headers that I bought from SummitRacing for $275. They even have a CARB EO on them and the primaries are larger than the RH shorties.

Well, doesn't matter now. Went back to the yard this morning and the WHOLE CAR was gone.