Displacement On Demand: Part I, Golen Engine Service Creates a Bigger and Better LT1

Displacement On Demand
Part I: Golen Engine Service Creates a Bigger and Better LT1
by Scott Parker - Photography by the Author

LT1 Short Block The LT1 engine, despite its Optispark woes, has been known in its short life to be a solid and durable engine. Even though it is merely GM's second-generation small block V-8 with only a few improvements over its decades-old ancestors, its only known flaw is the occasional spun rod bearing. This minor imperfection is easily forgivable when you consider the years of tireless service and the abuse it suffered in the hands of greedy racers such as the readers and editors of GM High Tech Performance magazine.

Despite its loyal resiliency, these soldiers never enter retirement, as they are the last of their kind. GM ceased production of LT1s when the LS1 was introduced to F-bodies, so they must instead be reborn into the cycle of automotive samsara. For those lucky LT1s that have done well in their previous life, they are treated to a full rebuild from Golen Engine Service in Hudson, New Hampshire. At Golen, special attention is paid to minor details such as rod clearances, which helps ensure the longevity of the engine. These are one of the many lessons learned in owner Chad Golen's 14 years of experience building engines, and 11 years with LT1s and other late model GM motors.

Shot blasted LT1 block

Golen has a supplier in Detroit who provides used LT1s that arrive as the block on the left, oily and greasy. Then the oil is baked out of the pores of the block at 800 degrees until it looks like the block in the middle. Finally, the block is blasted with stainless steel shot and it looks as good as new. However, before one minute of man-power is wasted on any of these blocks they are pressure tested under water, and using a Magnaux to magnetize the block exaggerating any cracks so that they can be seen with a special powder that is dumped onto the block.

In addition to discovering which methods work best, Chad's experience has also helped him to determine which materials to use. While still keeping the engine packages affordable, Golen manages to use the most durable of materials and the utmost precision to ensure their proper operation.

Ranging from $2,300 to $3,500 for short blocks and $3,400 on up for long blocks Golen Engine Service provides a wide range of LT1 and LT4 packages. The biggest difference between the packages is the displacement and the rotating assembly. The mildest of Golen's LT1 packages, which maintains the stock displacement of 350 cubic inches, uses a performance ground stock crankshaft, shotpeened GM forged steel rods, Speed Pro Hypereutectic pistons and Plasma-Moly rings. At the other end of the spectrum are the competition packages, which use Eagle or Callies forged cranks increasing displacement to either 383 or 396ci, as well as SRP forged pistons and Eagle forged connecting rods depending on the application. These packages are designed for the extreme stresses of racing and high boost from blowers, turbos or nitrous.

The specimen for our discussion is a 383 LT1 package with optional SRP forged pistons, an Eagle 4340 forged steel crank, and Eagle forged connecting rods. Normally when mated to a set of ported LT1 heads and a .510-inch lift cam, the package is good for over 400 horsepower. However, with an optional .522/.543-inch lift cam these gures should be slightly more robust. In any case, with the upgraded components its new owner should see a lifetime of miles on street and the strip. Follow along with part I of our LT1 buildup, which will create a
short-block from all of these hard parts.

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