Rich1374670x

Having a hard time deciding what engine swap I want to do. I have a 83 z28 carb with a 5 speed. I have sitting in my garage a 96 lt1 from a ss camaro with a t56 that I originally wanted to swap. I am going back and forth now on whether i want a 5.3 or a 6.0. If I do go the 5.3 or 6.0 what is a lt1 worth with 95k on it? Carb or efi is another choice I have to make. For simplicity is it easier to do the carb? I have the computer for the lt1 and the 5.3 and 6.0 would come with one. I know I would have to change the fuel pump. What to do?

Also are the charcoal canisters used on the lt1, 5.3 and 6.0?

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

I went through this decision process myself not too long ago (except it was between LT1 or LS1).

First, let me say carb is NOT easier. If you have a full drop-out with PCM and harness, it will cost you more to switch to carb. And you'll lose all of the benefits of EFI. I'm just not a fan of carb swaps (certain dedicated drag race applications excepted). The worst you'll have to do with the LT1 or LS PCM is have VATS deleted and tires/gearing set. Not that big of a deal.

Next, your LT1 T56 isn't a good match for an LS engine. It can be done, but it isn't cheap. You might be able to trade it for an LS T56 if you're lucky.

The LT1 is a decent choice. If you want AC, you'll have to notch the K-member. But the 3rd gen engine mounts will work. Exhaust is the same as 3rd gen SBC (headers with a good Y-pipe will let it breathe). I believe you'll have to do something about the transmission crossmember (Hawks makes a decent one - Holley/Hooker makes a better one, but it isn't cheap).

A 5.3 or 6.0 will be a lot more complicated. The truck intake, accessories (alternator), exhaust manifolds, and oil pan aren't good for a 3rd gen swap. Aftermarket engine mounts or adapters required.

The LS swap is becoming more and more popular as the years go by. But, you're already ahead with the 4th gen LT1/T56 in your possession. If you were starting from scratch, I would probably recommend going the LS route if your budget supported it. Not sure how much a 95k miles LT1/T56 is worth, but it for sure wouldn't pay for an LS swap.

I believe the charcoal canisters are on the fuel tank for LT1 and LS from the factory.

tglennon11

iTrader: (2)

so i have the the LT1/T56 swap, except mine is a 94 so OBD1. My suggestion would the same as five7kid, you have the lt1/t56 swap, it drops in pretty easily, save for notching for AC. My suggestion to you would to swap over to OBD1 instead of 2, then spend some time with fbodytech.com he provides free tuning suggestions and software so all you need to tune is the cable. also there are plenty of sources for the rest of your needs. as five7kid mentioned.

HOWEVER- also like five7kid, if i was starting from scratch i would go 6.0 LS, but realize the intake, accessories, pan, trans, all would need to be sourced unless you pony up for something out of a sedan/coupe, GTO, V series, 'vette, etc.

At the end of the day, its your car, its your money, its your time, do what is going to give you the most joy. I can tell you i love my LT1/T56 combo, it sounds mean stockish, i know i can get up over 400whp with heads and cam when its time, and i can tune it on my own.

Flycaster1977

iTrader: (1)

Price it all out before you dive in. I am in the middle of an lt swap into a carbed iroc. When its all said and done i could have bought a carbed crate motor for the same money and would not have to swap fuel systems around. I dont regret it because its a challenge and kind of fun to source parts and learn what has to be done, just be aware what you are getting into.

Rich1374670x

For this car I am leaning to the lt1 t56 swap mainly because I have it. It is my first swap as well. The car I have has no ac.
How are the Spohn Crossmember?

tglennon11

iTrader: (2)

the spohn crossmember is ok, it hangs a little low for my taste but i got it pretty cheap. If i was buying new i would have gone with the hawks as it has more ground clearance.

Rich1374670x

Advantages of Obd1 over obd2?

tglennon11

iTrader: (2)

I have recommended OBD1 to anyone doing the LT1 swap if you plan on doing any kind of DIY tuning. fbodytech.com, lt1pcmtuning.com, gearhead-efi.com and a few others a great places to spend time learning how to tune. With OBD1 all you will need is the cable. I dont have any experience tuning OBD2

IF you are going to have someone else tune the car, ask around you local shops, or find someone with good feedback on the forums and ask what they prefer. Some shops dont carry the OBD1 software any longer.

Rich1374670x

Plan on a just a cam.

Flycaster1977

iTrader: (1)

That was my plan too but now i have a whole new top end and am debating a forged bottom end with or without a stroker kit.

customblackbird

iTrader: (15)

I vote LS but that's just me. The cost of a swap isn't that expensive and u can get 4.8 and 5.3s for dirt cheap. Sure they have 100+k on them but for an LS that's like break in. I didn't fully read every reply but depending on the trans even that will swap over for less then $30.

The way I see it is:
used 4.8/5.3 for $500-750 with harness and PCM
trans pilot adapter $30
ls swap motor mounts $30
solid SBC motor mounts $30
fbody oil pan, tray and pickup $200-275
and $75 to unlock the pcm and set fan temps
exhaust is up to you but full length headers run $300,shorties are cheaper.

Your looking at $1500 maybe for an LS swap. But at stock power. You should throw 2k in a turbo kit and make 600hp all day and idle like stock. Then u wouldn't spend $300 on long tube headers. HPT tuners is $400 and comes with the 2 or 3 bar OS systems pre installed for LS motors so boost is even easier to tune. Stock cam will be ok with boost and just means u need to riches the MaP tables and decrease timing and your done.

Truck intake clears my stock TA power bulge hood. Alt will clear too if it's a small case.

LS stuff is getting so cheap and it's basically the go to swap as they literally aren't supporting TPIs as much anymore. lT1 and LT4 won't be around much longer or much limited. It's the same reason OB1 is being fazed out. You want to dump money into a platform that's just going to be more limited? in sure this is going to run ppl the wrong way but if your not keeping the car original I would jump to LS.

Sabenott

You won't have to notch the cross member for the a/c. I can give you a step by step to modify the lt1 accessory drives and bracket. Look at my swap on the forum. Lt 1 swap in Firehawk clone to see the pics.

92rs85berlintta

iTrader: (1)

Thats true, also I'm pretty sure you can just use vette accessory brackets as well.

I'm partial to the lt1 swap because I have one. If you have one sitting on the floor, why not throw a decent cam and rockers in it and run it. You will most likely be very surprised at the power that old tech motor will make for the money you spent.

OBD1 is preferred because they are easy to tune and you can easily do it yourself. Theres also not as many emission sensors to worry about. You can get tools like free scan to log data or view live data too. Theres even a tutorial on here about how to make the harness work. Its a pretty easy swap.

Sabenott

Yes Vette brackets work I just couldn't find any. My swap is an lt1 with the lt4 hotcam. It runs really well. Yes the LS is more advanced but it's an Fbody. Traction will always be an issue on the street. Since he has the engine and trans already you can do the install around $1000. To do a LS swap it will be $3-4k. LS t56 trans are expensive. Either way it comes down to preference. There is no right or wrong answer. There are a lot of awesome modded cars on here with both engines.

polishdevil

I have an LT1 Corvette set up if you're interested. The accessory bracket is powder coated red. I have the AC compressor, alternator, power steering pump with the reservoir as well as the idler and I think most of the bolts.

86iroc504

I swapped a Fuel injected 95' Lt1/4l60e into a 86 camaro years ago. I believe pcmforless tuned the cpu. It will drop straight in minus the a/c unless you modify/notch. It had 150k on it when I bought the donor car. Ran great and turned heads as the camaro has the factory 2.8 multi-port injector tag on it. Years later i bought a 81 c-10 and swapped everything in it 7 yrs later it still runs fine enough to go on 4hrs trips.. avg mpg 16/18 facory gears..

Now I am looking into going 6.0 swap in camaro. I say if you have it, use it...