LT4 blower swap reliability
 

I tried searching but couldn't find much so forgive me if this topic has been talked about. For those that have done the LT4 blower swap how many miles have you guys put on the car(s)? I'm considering the WeaponX kit and having a local shop install/tune. I don't drive the car every day but it will see a lot of nice weather driving come spring and summer. I'm not going crazy with E85, a very aggressive tune, headers etc...I'm not looking to squeeze every ounce of power out of it before needing to go to LT4 fuel system stuff. I may take it to the drag strip every now and again but it'll mainly be a cruiser

So how have you guys liked the swap? Any issues? I'm looking long term longevity answers and experiences. Thanks!

It’ll largely depend on your fuel, tune and frankly, greed. The stock LT1’s pistons are typically the weak point when it comes to engine failure. Pushing it a bit with a fuel pump, injectors or even a cam (for the fuel lobe) will give you more headroom but ultimately place your pistons in an even more precarious position.

But, you’re bound to have someone chime in and say that they’re running 3000lbs of boost on their stock LT1 pistons for the last 4 trillion miles on their car, all while WOT and they’re just fine—all of the fear mongering is for nothing.

Stick around 600whp and you should be ok for a good long while so long as the tune is on point and you don’t run out of fuel.

I'm not even going that crazy, if I do the swap it'll literally be doing the swap and a tune..no headers, no catless(unless they fail). I'm looking to keep it around 530-550 at the wheels. I figure everything can live a long happy life at that power level, right?

Yeah. It’ll be most likely around 550+. Nonetheless, keep it conservative and you should be good.

I would upgrade the fuel system no matter what to the LT4 stuff. E85 will help the pistons live being it does a better job of removing heat. Low boost, LT4 fuel system, e60 mix, and the engine should live a happy life.

There are only 2 stations within like 30 miles of me that has E85 so unfortunately that's not an option.

I put the LT4 S/C on my 18 Camaro in June 2018 along with the LT4 fuel system. I've driven 15k miles or so on 93 octane fuel (10%ethanol) and then finally put the flex fuel sensor on a few months ago and ran E85 for the past 3k miles or so. I drive the car alot and have had no problems. I only went to E85 because $3gal vs $1.78gal and the amount of driving I do with it.

I'm a true believer it's all in the tune for reliability and driveability. My wife drives it on occasion, she is not a car person at all, and would be up my sh@t if it didn't drive like a factory vehicle. I like that it's a sleeper and people are not expecting the power that is there.

It runs very well on the street tune I did. Dyno arrived last week, so it'll go on there when I get some free time. I'm curious how close it will be since the 5th gen heads/stage 4 cam/exhaust car I did for my nephew was extremely close with the street tune vs dyno.

@bluecamaro do you know how much boost you are running with the LT4 blower? I assume you are using the stock ZL1 pulley. What did you do for the lower pulley?

LT4 lower pulley and ADM upper pulley system which allows other pulleys to be swapped easily. 8-9psi normally. 12psi with a pulley swap I've pushed it to without issue as well on 93. Haven't done that with E85 yet.

Anybody know if the ZL1 lt4 evap tube and the ZL1 lt4 brake booster hose are direct fit for the LT4 swap or are they modded to fit for the swap? Trying to save some money on the stock pieces vs getting them from ADM unless they are unique ADM items.

No issues here, over 14,000 miles and 150 pulls at the drag strip. I have 2 speeds...idle and wide open, drive it like ya stole it. You must lower the compression ratio in the cylinder, I am running 10.3, 11.5 is stock.

You don't necessarily need to lower the compression. E85 solves that.

Is it not recommended to run LT4 blower on 93 on LT1 car? I’m considering the swap along with doing LT4 fueling

The 2300s (eforce 4500 maggi 5k) have come down in price and the directions are so good I bet you could install yourself in the driveway. Plus you get a Dual pass all aluminum heat exchanger vs a Plastic end cap crap they also come with a nice reservoir to fill the system vs have to pull a vacuum on the LT4 setup. The hardest thing is getting the crank snout bolt off but a small electric impact gun with 500lbs tq will work without trying to hold flywheel ect.. then once done return lol.. Then rent the OTC tool from autozone for 20 bucks or less.

Nothing wrong with the Lt4 route and it was 1500 bucks cheaper but now its a not!