hello, im looking to put an lt1 or vortec powerd engine in a third gen body, what i want to know is, is it worth the work? I want something pushing around 300hp, just like most people i don't want to spend more than i have to, i have no idea weather my car will be auto or manual, even though i do like the t-5's i have read they do not last very long but still wouldn't mind using that as my tranny. It wouldn't be an everyday driver just something to cruize around on the weekends. I love third gens and regret selling my 84 camaro but it was in very poor condition. after having been screwed over with what was thought to be a sbc 350 and ending up being an old beaten up 305 i decided to sell it. This time i'm not friggin around i'm definetly getting a good body to start with. As stated my option's for right now is lt1 or placing vortec heads on a carbed 350. What parts are needed for the vortec heads? The one's off the 5.7L 96-up gmc/chev trucks will work? And i also need a special intake manifoil, as i heard edelbrock makes them. Will it need special exhaust manifoils? i plan on just putting headers but not sure at the moment. I don't want to start tearing up the bottom end, piston, connecting rods, crank etc would stay stock. Would probably add a cam (i have heard flat partern cams work best with vortec engines?). Now i would think this would be clost to 300hp but i am not sure. Second option would be an lt1 swap but i am afraid it would be quit costly. My questions on this must the lt1 comme from a fourth gen? Could i possibly buy say a caprice or the huge assss cars with the lt1 in them ( i believe 94-96) or would this be a pain to put in the car even morethan a fourth gen. Reason for this is their are quiet a bit of police package caprices out here for sale and you can get a whole car for pretty cheap. Do the stock motor mounts work (No A/C)? What i am most afraid of is wiring in this case, but it doesn't seem to be that bad from what i have read if you get a aftermarket wiring harness. Does the exhaust system need modifying? And does the auto 700r4 work or you need the 60le its called or something like that. Any ways any opinions or answers to my question would be greatly apreciated! thanks for any info you guys can help, this site is frigin awsome can't wait to start workin on a third gen again!!!

For Vortec heads, you just need a Vortec-specific intake manifold. Several companies make them now. From there, it's whatever induction you're thinking of using, carb being pretty simple.

The LT1 doesn't have to come from an f-body. If you aren't using AC, it makes the bolting in a lot easier. You can use factory 3rd gen engine mounts, but not 4th gen. You don't need an aftermarket wiring harness, just read the sticky in the Engine Swap forum. Getting a complete donor car like a former police car is a good way to go, as you can get almost everything you need from that car. Just make sure you aren't getting a "baby LT1", that it's really 5.7l. Of course, you aren't going to get a T56 from a Caprice, but you can still use the engine, harness, and PCM and get a T56 from an f-body.

The vortec heads' intake ports stall at about .475" lift, and there's no easy trick to remedy that. I've tried enough times, with a new SuperFlow 1020 flow bench, a Serdi 100, and a full set of Mondello carbides at my disposal. It's best to not lift the intake valves more than .475", but getting there with a roller is still better, you just have to pick your lobes accordingly, and custom-order a cam. If you like the idea of the GM "hot" cam, then a call to COMP will net you a custom cam with their #3306 lobe for the intakes, and #3315 for the exhausts, on a 112 degree lobe separation angle. There are plenty of options. I had nothing but good experiences with my '95 Z28, so I'd be in favor of the LT1.