LT1 engine in a 1998 Firebird?

[SG316V]

Just a quick question on something I observed yesterday at Indy.

How can you run an LT1 engine in a car that was only offered with an LS1? I noticed this in one of the Emmons' cars...I think they run it as a 1998?

I would search for this in my rule book, but my laptop is too slow to search for it on the online rule book and I cant seem to find my paper one that NHRA mailed with my membership... oh...wait...nevermind

[sscrewcheif]

are they running this car in Stock? or Super Stock??

[Alan Roehrich]

The LT-1 in the 98 F body is in the guide, so you can run it in Stock and Super Stock. It's been that way for a long time. The LT-1 is even mentioned in the 98 F body owner's manual, it's in my owner's manual that came with my 98 Firebird.

[SG316V]

Alan - thanks, I did not know that... Thought all 98-02 cars had LS1 but maybe not

[Alan Roehrich]

All I'm saying is that GM tested 98 LT-1 F body cars, put LT-1 engines in the owner's manual, and submitted LT-1 F bodies to be in the guide. They were put in the guide by NHRA.

[BlueOval Ralph]

Alan I know for a fact that the reason the LT-1 was released on paper to NHRA was GM Racing did not have a supply of LS engine or the budget to buy them from the Plant. Freddie slip with that tidbit one day you know sort of bragging what they had pulled over on NHRA.

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

All I'm saying is that GM tested 98 LT-1 F body cars, put LT-1 engines in the owner's manual, and submitted LT-1 F bodies to be in the guide. They were put in the guide by NHRA.

[Alex Denysenko]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

The LT-1 in the 98 F body is in the guide, so you can run it in Stock and Super Stock. It's been that way for a long time. The LT-1 is even mentioned in the 98 F body owner's manual, it's in my owner's manual that came with my 98 Firebird.

Manual or not it is a paper car Alan and you know it. GM submitted specs and NHRA bought it. Not much than different than the 67 Shelby's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Firebird

It is what it is.

I have a 68 Mustang owners manual that metions specs and maintanance schedules for a W code 427 engine but that does it mean that they ever built them.


Now where's that letter I started to write to Carroll about the Paxton supercharged 289 235 HP option on 65 1/2 Mustang coupes................?

[Bernie Cunningham]

Alex,
(( Not much than different than the 67 Shelby's. ))

Ya gotta be kidding me right ??? What performance gain is a 98 over a 97 ???

[Dgal]

Originally Posted by Bernie Cunningham

Alex,
(( Not much than different than the 67 Shelby's. ))

Ya gotta be kidding me right ??? What performance gain is a 98 over a 97 ???

Exactly! And what performance gain does a LT1 have over a LS1? Not much if any because the LS1 has more horsepower associated with it.

For anyone that has an issue with a racer running a LT1 in a 1998 over a LS1, then what motor do they suggest a racer run for 1998? The LS1 is not an option in the NHRA guide until 1999. The LT1 is the only option for 1998 unless you run the V6 (I think).

At least the LT1 and the LS1 motors have been licensed for the street. Unlike the factory race motors coming from Dodge and Ford. I am glad that Dodge and Ford are building these cars to bring more blood or life into drag racing, but the NHRA should at the very least put them in a factory experimental class. That is where they belong and it makes more sense to the non racing public when they hear "factory experimental" vs. AA/SA. "What do all those A's mean???"

The NHRA could turn a bad situation to a really neat thing overnight. If this is about money and selling cars, then do it right and make it where the public has a little clue as to what you are putting on the race track.

Experimental cars and motors.

[SG316V]

C/SA I believe...