Reply to "LT-4 engine install"

Chevy LT4 crate engine pricing

P/N 19332621 (wet sump lubrication) MSRP $15,625

P/N 19332702 (dry sump lubrication) MSRP $16,250

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Both the LT4 and 351C are push rod (OHV) V8 engines with heavy "cross-plane" cranks. The only "truck" a 351C was ever installed in was a Ranchero. It would be most accurate to say the 351C was designed for NASCAR and endurance racing. The Cleveland heads were the fore runners of all modern OHV racing cylinder heads. There may be 46 year old Cleveland technology in the LT4 heads.

Here' my counter-perspective regarding the 351C:

Tim Meyer is getting ready to put the new "Track Boss" engine block into production. There's a foundation for a Cleveland engine that can survive that type of power. Scott Cook's heads will also support that type of power, naturally aspirated! You'd just need a nicely designed solid roller cam.

In terms of a blower installation, its been done with the Cleveland, no doubt its tight fitting a blower drive in the limited space. Take a 500 BHP naturally aspirated engine (this is a mild state of tune), blow 1/2 atmosphere into it, it will make 750 BHP, then deduct the amount of power consumed by the blower that should net you about 650 BHP.

But, getting away from the complications of a blower, here's a naturally aspirated "Clev-or" using Scott Cook heads.

Aftermarket "Windsor style" iron block
SCM aluminum heads
393cuin.
Hyd Roller Cam 242/245@050" 642" lift
Try-Y Headers, 2-1/2" collectors
Stock TFC Intake (single plane, high rise),
RS 770 Barry Grant Carb.
Basic tune

There is less money invested in this engine than an LT4 crate engine. The dyno results are in the picture at the bottom of this post.

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I'm not saying to make do with a carburetor and a distributor ignition like the build I detailed above. I only used that engine build to display what a 351C in a mild state of tune can do with a set of SCM heads. Distributorless ignitions and very nice fuel injection systems (Trick Flow) are available to retro-fit onto the Cleveland, and they aren't that expensive. They would raise the output of that naturally aspirated 600 BHP SCM engine. The only modern technology you can't retro-fit onto a Cleveland are variable valve timing and direct injection.

If you build a stout Cleveland, drop it back into the Pantera chassis, you're done! However, if you purchase an LT4 (for about $16K), you're just getting started! There's a lot of installation details to work out; a custom exhaust and motor mounts for instance. Plus bell housing and clutch. At least $5K more expenditure, and I'm probably being very conservative. So in this perspective the advantage belongs to the Cleveland.

The SCM heads are designed by Darin Morgan, one of the world's leading professional induction system designers. A Cleveland engine built with those heads is not giving up any advantage to an LT4. Tim Meyer's new block, and the SCM heads are cast to externally look like the factory parts. Paint them blue and nobody would know they aren't the original parts. Some folks would consider that an advantage too. The aluminum version of Tim's new block is being cast with a new proprietary aluminum alloy, Alcoa C3A1. The manufacturer claims it has 10% better tensile strength and elongation characteristics than C355-T6, which is the premium material of other block manufactures. The Track boss block shall therefore be the strongest aluminum engine block in the industry. Using that block would give the 351C yet another advantage, until other manufacturers "catch-up".

So an aftermarket 351C can have Darin Morgan and Alcoa C3A1 behind it. What's the bow tie LS/LT engines got to match that?

Addressing Wayne, I'm cool with whatever direction you take. The Chevy crate engine is a viable choice. Please do not interpret my counter-perspective regarding the 351 Cleveland as criticism, its not meant to be criticism. I do have personal "fears" regarding a high output engine lacking traction control in combination with street tires ... but I've already preached about that recently. Be safe, and above all, enjoy your Pantera.