I found an lt1 around here at a J/Y for 950. It comes with accessories, and the wiring harness. The J/Y selling it said the following, "No computer. Harness should be complete and unplugged at connectors." Is this a good deal? I own a 92 camaro rs with the 305TBI and the T5. I know im goin to need parts such as a better fuel pump, ect... I'm new when it comes to engine swaps, i here people have problems with vats(which ive never heard of untill 2 days ago) and wiring troubles. I looked at TexasLT1's swap guide and it does seem like a doable swap.(Too bady the guide wasnt finished *hint hint* ...lol) So, what else will i need to install it and what kinda of things should i look for before buying the lt1? I have a TBI, does that complicate things?

 

You will definatley need a new fuel pump.

You might wanna buy new motor mounts but your old ones will be fine.

You need to decide on whether you want to keep A/C or not.

You have a choice of getting a used LT1 harness on ebay for anywhere between $100-$200 or going to painless and buying one for 400-600? I suggest the painless because im not sure how TBI works, but maybe someone else can come in here and take care of that.

Your tranmission should bolt up fine, im not sure on the autos but if you keep the T5, be sure not to clutch drop or power shift with the engine.

You will need to make new fuel lines, I bought mine from www.lt1intake.com

You will need to buy a power steering reservoir (not the pump) from a fourthgen v8 car or v6 3.8.

Your going to use your old motor clamshells (engine braces i've heard them called) so you don't have to worry about that.

I don't know if you can use your throttle cable or not, I think your going to need one from a 92 Z28 (cost was about 17-18 bucks from gmpartsdirect.com shipped to my door).

What else, what else... Upper and lower radiator hoses from a 93 fourth gen v8 camaro.

All I can think of off the top of my head.

 

Hey now, I'm getting there I'm just concentrating on school at the moment, one more week till Spring Break, then I'll be able to finish it up.


You're doing the exact same swap I did, I have a '92 RS that had a 305 TBI. pasky covered everything pretty well. If you need any more help, look for more of the swap guide in a few weeks or pm or e-mail any of us that have done the swap.

One thing I will say though, if the LT1 does in fact come with the harness, and you are even slightly competent at wiring, I would keep it and splice it in. VATS isn't really that much trouble anymore. If you want to keep it you just need a new VATS module, if you decide to get rid of it, it can very easily be programmed out.

Tristan

 

Thank you Pasky for your info and TexasLT1, you'll probably be hearing a lot more from me. I still got two more questions... If the harness is complete and on the LT1, do i need to get a computer? How does the harness and computer work together? Not sure about how it is setup. Also, concerning the new fuel lines, what exactly should i call up and order? It says custom lines go for $85-$100. Do i need more the one? ect. Please clear this up for me.

Oh yea, one more thing, can't you just by the inside bushings for the mounts instead of the whole junk of metal?

 

As for the mounts, no, you have to by them complete. You are definatley safe using your old motor mounts, but its alwaysa good idea to replace old things....

IF it were me i'd keep the old ones because I NEVER and I mean NEVER want to **** with motor mounts again, I had the spring off for 1 and 1/2 week and couldnt get any work done trying to get the damn spring back in.

I wish I started with a v8 but I didn't. Anyways as far as the custom fuel lines. Just e-mail john @ lt1intake.com (his e-mail is on his site) and tell him your dropping a LT1 in your thirdgen (tell him the year and model, im not sure if it makes a difference but why take a chance) and you need the engine bay fuel lines made. He charged me $85.

As far as the harness, you need the computer. The harness has four plugs that go into the computer and they are color coded.

The wiring really isn't that hard to get the car running and functional. I just have no idea how TBI wiring is or if it even used a computer, consult texas about that.

Im glad to help and just trying to return the favor for all the good help I get here on the boards regularly.

 

Sure can, I would definitely suggest getting the Energy Suspension polyurethane mounts, they are incredible compared to the stock rubber ones. I was able to get mine at Autozone for something like $40 for the pair. When I pulled out my stock rubber mounts, you could shake the rubber mount around inside the clamshell they were that worn.

 

Oh, I didn't know that...

 

what about the power steering lines. will they reach across, or do you need new ones?

 

is texaslt1's guide posted on this site? if not would someone email it to me?

 

http://www.geocities.com/texaslt1/lt1swap/swap.html