(sorry missed the sticky... reading it right now... updating as I read)As you can see I am new here. I need some help because I really am not sure if all this is going to work exactly. I am going to be building an LT1 engine and I want to put it in my 85 camaro. I plan to put all the smog stuff on it so it is fully legal because I live in california and this is my forst build so I am not going to go all out and make a hot rod. That and I don't have the money for it. My current engine is an 86 TPI 305.

1)Will it fit without a problem and will I have any problems because my exhaust leads to one pipe (starting 89 they had the dual cats)?

2)What do you recommend for headers?

3)When I get the computer for it, will I have to get the key and lock cylinder (cant remember what it's called) from the car it came from? Is it the EEPROM or CPU that has the resistance check?

4)Can the 700r4 tranny still be used or will the computer freak out and is the 4L60E the same as a 700r4 with the exception that it is electronicly controlled?

5)Would a good MSD fuel pump work? Would I get it for an 85 or 96/97 camaro?

6)Do I need to get a converter for the motor mounts or should it fit right in? Do I need the motor mounts for the LT1 or will the ones from my 305 LB9 work?

7)What anout travel distance for the accelerator? Is it enough? Too much maybe?

 

Here are a few links (most that I've seen from the older post are dead) that would help out someone else trying to find stuff on this seeing how the other post is old. Updated as I find new links and info...

http://www.hpsalvage.com/

http://www.automotiverebuilder.com/ar/ar99928.htm(this is a site that identifies the differences between the 92-97 LT1's and even the LT4)

http://www.csce.uark.edu/~jgbertr/rb/4th_gen_tech1.html(here is a really good site for finding diagrams/component locations for LT1 engines and a few other usful things. I have not gone through the whole thing yet, but looks reassuring)

 

Delete thread... Lost interest in posting here

 

Why did you lose intrest in posting on the board? If you need some info on your swap check the sticky above.
P.S how do you have a tbi 305 in your 85 camaro? Did someone swap in for you? did you do it your self? or did you buy it like that?

 

well, I spent all day yesterday reading about what they did to put an LT1 in their cars and I noticed some things they they never really stated and others that were left out. They started talking about the VSS and never really told what they actually did as a final step and their info was wrong about it. I have a 305 TPI (it was introduced in 85, but the guy I bought it from says it's a 86 engine). Yea I bought it like that. I knew the guy from high school and he was all into being a mechanic back then so he knew what he was doing when he built it. Actually it's probably hitting close to 300HP as it stands now because of what he did to it. Everything in the engine is new or improved except the core/pistons/rods/crank. Those are just stock and the rings are starting to go so it smokes alittle at higher rpms. Because I don't have another vehicle for work and I rely on it soo much (and because it is my baby , I just decided to buy all the parts for the engine and swap it. Maybe I will buy another camaro with just a rolling chassis and put my current engine into it and have it rebored or honed and put new and better pistons in it along with stronger rods. BTW, did they ever get a manual done on it? I never saw a link for it. I guess I don't really need it, it doesn't sound all too hard.

What ever happened to the people that did this project?

 

I just finished one about 6 weeks ago and I am still working on mine.
On the completed one, we used all new Autometer gauges for everything. engine had a custom harness from Speartech, the best plug and play custom LT1 engine harness on the market in my opinion.

My LT1 swap is coming together slowly. I couldn't afford the Speartech harness so I have to modify my b-body harness that came with my motor. I am also installing a 4th gen dash and gauge cluster that will hopefully work flawlessly.
I am waiting on the dash and other parts so I haven't done much to my car in a couple of weeks.

 

Thanks alot for the reply. Finally I get one . Are you building your engine from the core up or did you buy yours complete? These wiring kits are for everything electrical except for some interior light, etc. right? Oh, seeing how I have a V8 305 in there, can I reuse those mounts?

 

My engine was complete but I changed the heads and cam.
Has stock bottom end and slightly modded top end.

The custom wiring harness only has hookups for the engine/tranny and gauges, since that is all you need.

You will use the engine mounts that are on your old 305 on the LT1. I'd change the motor mounts on the car as well since it is easier with the engine out. We put Energy Suspension Poly mounts in ours,


This is what my engine looks like inside the bay,