Since the LTx block project is cancelled....

[Rob94hawk]

Is it possible to do deck spacers on an LTx block similar to what has been done on an LSx block?

http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/showthread.php?t=734496

[Awesome Bill]

I don't see any reason why not, we done them 20 years ago on stock blocks.

[Rob94hawk]

What's the max bore diameter could you get with sleeving though? This may be a much cheaper alternative rather than redesigning a whole new block. I would send my block in to be the guinea pig.

But I'm sure there would be a few things to iron out. Is the cam too close? Would spacers work with the intake, water jackets, etc.

[CLAYTONRACING]

You might talk to darton about a big bore MID type kit. Or ERL for a deck spacer deal, those are the guys that have been doing it on the ls stuff.

[Dart Vader]

Since this isn't really a news item I'm moving it over to general discussion, I'll leave a one week redirect so that people who checks news don't think the thread is gone.

[jerry clayton]

why don't you leave it as an LT thread??? We still receive a lot of inquiries about the LT project and at the present time are searching out core sources for blocks AND LT specific items( oil pump drive, water pump drive, front cover,opti drive)
We presently have several that we are upgrading so they can stand the HP levels the customers want(spayed 4bolt main caps , etc)
We also have sourced some billet rear seal adapters to use a 2 pc seal which helps some with balance in the stroker engines.
Also working out mods needed to convert intake manifolds to mount distributor which will let them dump there optis ( also looking at mods to mount the LT intake on the cross ram 84 engines)

The winter is starting to let up a little bit so spring must be on the way( Ground hog day tomorrow)

[lun40119]

Jerry, Do you and Corey see the LTx thing really growing anymore. I mean other than the Bbody guys, and some of the Fbody crowd. It is an honest question. I mean other than the nostalgic guys that really want to hold on to the LT thing, is it really worth it. Most of the guys that are serious are dumping the opti, and going with the distributor thing. I ask this as I have a LT in my shop:rolleyes: but the two big LT guys that I know, one doesn't have the resources to start over with a stronger platform, and the other is sticking with the LT because it is what came in his copcar.

What do you guys see as the trend for the future with the LT platform.......dieing breed, blooming flower, or just maintaining......

[jerry clayton]

We still do flatheads also
and have done a Hudson Terra plane, Ford y-blocks, FE's, Lincolns, early hemis

I have for probably at least 50 years looked into the farmers fields and behind there barns as I drive across/round the country--first looking for madel As, then Packards, then chrysler 300s to get 392s from--

In the past yeat I have been on trips down south with my wife looking for something in a warmer climate with out all these rediculos taxes---and besides the Edsels, the group of cars that jump out are the Vett, Firebird,Camaro and also the Impala SS, Buik Roadmaster,Cad Fleetwood---there are thousands out there , in decent shape, cheap====for vehicles with character, style,handling, etc--

do you want to spent a few thou to fix up a nice 90s car or 50-60,000 to get a new Camaro that stands out?????

The folks at Dart looked at the LT shp platform, said they would build it and it started a firestorm of anticipation around the world(yep, we are shipping motors at least half way around the world each direction!!!!!) We have had customers waiting all last year to start there projects on these LT cars.

Since the project has been called off----we are collecting block cores---we are offering them from stock 2 bolt mains up thru billet splayed 4 bolt mains and with choice of whether one piece or two piece rear main seal--we have stock seal adapters and also billet two piece seal adapters for early style oil pans. We have Dart and AFR LT type heads available, Callies & Scat stroker cranks with pistons and rods on our shelves, Eagle stuff available from one of our local warehouses---

Now mot only are our projects moving thru the shop, but we have customers from other states bringing us projects that they either were rounding up pieces for or have removed from other shops.

Another item besides the rear seal/oil pan that I am working on---I am making fixtures to modify the rear of the intake manifold to eliminate the EGR section and weld in a base for a distributor and use a crank trigger to fire it---also looking at the work it would take to put the LT intake on the crossfire tbi vett engine--

As a view to the level of work on LTs---in the past month we have purchased 4 early 4bolt main 2 pc seal, 4 roller blocks 2 bolt/1 pc seal, 4 roller block 4 bolt/1 pc seal, 2 iron 6liter LS blocks, 3 2 bolt BBC,5 ford 351 windsor,and 11 LT 2 bolt blocks--
So right now---in addition to the Dart stuff ( Ford and Chev) probably our work is loosely divided between spec circle racers, street rods, collector cars( Cobra, Mustang, early Camaro/Bird)
street driven 60/70s muscle cars,Mopar, Ford and GM ( haven't done any AMC) boats(no aircraft)

I don't know why so many seem to be down on the LT crowd for no apparant reason--they were classy cars, good performers in both HP, Tq and MPG--

So guess I'll go get my second cup of coffee

Jerry

[lun40119]

We still do flatheads also
and have done a Hudson Terra plane, Ford y-blocks, FE's, Lincolns, early hemis

I have for probably at least 50 years looked into the farmers fields and behind there barns as I drive across/round the country--first looking for madel As, then Packards, then chrysler 300s to get 392s from--

In the past yeat I have been on trips down south with my wife looking for something in a warmer climate with out all these rediculos taxes---and besides the Edsels, the group of cars that jump out are the Vett, Firebird,Camaro and also the Impala SS, Buik Roadmaster,Cad Fleetwood---there are thousands out there , in decent shape, cheap====for vehicles with character, style,handling, etc--

do you want to spent a few thou to fix up a nice 90s car or 50-60,000 to get a new Camaro that stands out?????

The folks at Dart looked at the LT shp platform, said they would build it and it started a firestorm of anticipation around the world(yep, we are shipping motors at least half way around the world each direction!!!!!) We have had customers waiting all last year to start there projects on these LT cars.

Since the project has been called off----we are collecting block cores---we are offering them from stock 2 bolt mains up thru billet splayed 4 bolt mains and with choice of whether one piece or two piece rear main seal--we have stock seal adapters and also billet two piece seal adapters for early style oil pans. We have Dart and AFR LT type heads available, Callies & Scat stroker cranks with pistons and rods on our shelves, Eagle stuff available from one of our local warehouses---

Now mot only are our projects moving thru the shop, but we have customers from other states bringing us projects that they either were rounding up pieces for or have removed from other shops.

Another item besides the rear seal/oil pan that I am working on---I am making fixtures to modify the rear of the intake manifold to eliminate the EGR section and weld in a base for a distributor and use a crank trigger to fire it---also looking at the work it would take to put the LT intake on the crossfire tbi vett engine--

As a view to the level of work on LTs---in the past month we have purchased 4 early 4bolt main 2 pc seal, 4 roller blocks 2 bolt/1 pc seal, 4 roller block 4 bolt/1 pc seal, 2 iron 6liter LS blocks, 3 2 bolt BBC,5 ford 351 windsor,and 11 LT 2 bolt blocks--
So right now---in addition to the Dart stuff ( Ford and Chev) probably our work is loosely divided between spec circle racers, street rods, collector cars( Cobra, Mustang, early Camaro/Bird)
street driven 60/70s muscle cars,Mopar, Ford and GM ( haven't done any AMC) boats(no aircraft)

I don't know why so many seem to be down on the LT crowd for no apparant reason--they were classy cars, good performers in both HP, Tq and MPG--

So guess I'll go get my second cup of coffee

Jerry

Hope you are not directing that at me Jerry. I have a blast everytime Jim lets me pound the crap out of his cop car. ;)

[jerry clayton]

No Jake---it wasn't directed at you or anyone else---

Just seems to me that in a world where the crankshaft don't know whats written on the valve cover there can be so much---AFB vs QuadriJet vs Holley, points vs electronic, bias ply vs radial, drum vs disc, etc---at least in the Cobra crowd, its only blue vs red, bb ford, Fe, sbf-----

I got over my primary differances of flat head vs ohv, straight 6/8 vs v 8, tractor, truck, car, stick trans/slush box, etc

[lun40119]

One thing that I just couldn't figure out with the LTx stuff is how these guys make the power that they do with the stock configuration. There are pump gas 4200lb cars running well into the 11's with these things, and they are really pretty mild. Now some of the attitudes that go along with these times leave a little to be desired. Alot of what they forget is that they are using tech that is 30 years new than the old school stuff. For instance, these guys are turning 4l60's with lock up converters, and spinning tiny little 8.5's. I would be interested in seeing one of these shortstroke LTx's with a Th400 behind it, and spinning a Dana. :)

Like I said, I have to deal with a couple of these guys locally. One seems to understand why they do so well, the other just blindly believes that it is just a superior design. Even though, other than cooling and some cosmetics, it is the same engine. So in order to level the playing field I am going to switch to a XLT TH350 with all aluminum internals. Art Reid at Coan figured that me switching from an all steel 400 to an SLT350 would be worth 3-4 tenths. And we are shooting for another 100+HP. We will have to wait and see ;)

You guys getting ready to watch the game.........my wife is making me go ice skating this aft, but I will be back in time to watch the game.

[CLAYTONRACING]

Two things that I notice are that the lt powered cars are all getting to that point that they need the engines redone and the guys want to hop them up big time, and that the cars are now old enough "cheap enough" that the younger guys can pick them up and they want to spend the money on them, and we have seen more and more of them over the last two years.