I'm totally confused and am looking for some help. I have a 92 RS with a 305 TBI right now. It has a new trans on it, new vette torque converter, and a high flow flowmaster exhaust with 3in tips. I'm really looking into swaping my lil 305 TBI for a 350 TPI. I'm looking into an LT1 or an LS1. My question is which do you think is a better solution? I'm looking at the over all picture, I want power, but price is a big issue too. I'm haveing a mechanic that works with my dad do all the work and i'm just looking for advice. Like i said i want power, but i want something that is possible and could be done for a resonable price. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, and if anyone has any idea on where i can get an lt1 or an ls1 other than a junk yard that would be great. Thanks for all your help.

 

I guess i am a little confused, do you want a 350tpi(L98), an lt1, or an ls1?


I am about to do an L98 swap into my v6 bird. Everyone will tell you to find a donor car, that would be the easiest and sometimes cheapest way to do it.

If you have to start buying every little thing, the total cost will rise quickly.

I chose a 350tpi cause i found a cheap donor car with low miles.

 

I wouldn't bother considering an LT1 swap if I there are L98s available. no offense to anyone who's done it, but an LT1 swap seems like a waste of time, you can do an intake swap and some free mods to a L98 and get the same power. now, an LS1, I would totally go for if you are willing to tackle the headaches caused by it! I know a few people who did it, this was before the painless wiring harnesses, and motor mounts etc. and it took them forever but the results were well worth it! mid 12s with just a lid in an LS1 3rd gen is awesome. a lot lighter, high revving, lots of power everywhere, and runs a million times more efficiently than Gen I or Gen II motors. If you're willing to work and know your stuff, go for an LS1 swap. they can be had with a 4L60E together for as low as $1500. check ebay and salvage yards etc. of course if you've got some cash to burn and care little for emissions and the like, you can do what I did and build a screamer small block for incredible power. but I am not gonna disclose how much $$$ I have put into my 363 and IROC, let's just say enough

 

Thanks a lot...that really makes a lot more sense. I wanna go for an LS1, but if not an LS1 then definatly an L89. My problem is finding an LS1 or an L89 and then finding someone i can trust to put it in. It seems like every mechanic i have ever gone to has just made my car run worse. If i can find an LS1 and everything else i need and my slp headers for under $3000.00 then thats what I'm going to do. I'm guessing that a mechanic is going to charge somewhere around a grand just in labor so I'm looking at like a 4000 budget. With a budget of $4000 including labor do you think that i should go for an LS1? or just stick with an L89? :hail: Thanks again

 

I dont know if you noticed, but i live in bloomingdale. I think you should have no problem finding an L98 in the area, i found several over the past few months

 

just a reminder, you can't use L98 or LT1 parts with an LS1. it is a completely redesigned motor, different intake and exhaust port patterns among other things. with an LS1 you'll need complete custom exhaust. I don't think you'll find a mechanic anywhere that will retrofit an LS1 into a 3rd gen, it's a buttload of work as I said. Some might not even do it. You should really try to do it yourself, much more rewarding and you'll know how everything goes together when you're done.

 

I'd love to do the chang myself...the only thing is that i know very little when it comes to cars. I have to see if maybe my buddy will help with the change and even if he wants too. Thanks for all your help. I wanna go with an LS1, but odds are that I'll end up going with an l89. Thanks again...jeff

 

The LS1 swap is becoming much easier. You can buy the mounts now. Also there are plug and play harnesses avaliable as well. At worst case you can do the swap and have someone else do the wiring.

 

I have to see whats around and see if its a project i can handle...I definatly wanna go with an LS1 and its worth the wait. You guys have been a lot of help and i really appreciat it. As soon as i start the project I will post some pics on the progress and let you all know how its going. Thanks again

 

I'd say worst case is fabricating the exhaust, that can be a pain in the ***!

 

Yeah and the fact that i just bought a highflow cat and my flowmaster american thunder series exhaust I might just wait a lil. Now if i where to go with an LT1 would i have the same problem with the exhaust? or do you think that I'd be alright? I had ruled out the lt1 before, but i just talked to my friend who has a 96 TA thats running high 12's and he is selling his car for parts. I can get his motor and all i need then is just headers and I'm set. Just and idea.

 

any exhaust that will work on your current engine will work on the LT1, the exhaust ports are standard SBC.

 

The exhaust is a pain. I am putting a lot of thought into it. Once I get it right it should not be much of a problem other than finding a good exhaust shop to fabricate it. To do the LS1 right you will need two cats.