Engine Swap Everything about swapping an engine into your Third Gen.....be it V6, V8, LTX/LSX, crate engine, etc. Pictures, questions, answers, and work logs.

Just picked up a LT1

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 11, 2004 | 10:01 PM
  #1  
Traderartie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Car: 87 Iroc
Engine: Carbed LT1
Transmission: T56
Just picked up a LT1

I just picked up a LT1 and 6 speed trans from a 94 vette. I plan to put it in my 87 Iroc.. This was formerly a TPI car, but ive had many different motors in it since the original 305..I've cut out most of the original harness.. I am wondering if this is going to be a problem...I have all the aftermarket gauges and ignition system for the 350 i have in it now, which is carberated...Am I going to be able to use any of this...I have a 6AL box and all the little goodies that go with it .. I know im not going to be able to use my distributor.. Is there any reason other than the stock gauges and tach that the engine harness needs to to be connected to the car harness ? ...Any info you guys could give me would be great.. Ive been reading alot over the last few days and I couldn't find answers to my specific questions.. Has anyone done this same swap or something similar ?
The LT1 came with the computer and harness and is fully complete as if it were in the car running.. All the accy's and etc. are on it... What is the bare minimum that this motor needs to run properly...Can I get rid of the power steering..I have a manual gear box in the car now...

Thanks in advance, Artie
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2004 | 10:46 PM
  #2  
TexasLT1's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,819
Likes: 3
From: Angleton, TX
Car: '92 RS
There should be no reason why you couldn't use what you've got. About the only thing I can think of that you might need to change is the fuel pump, you'll want a high pressure pump. The only other things that get connected are pretty much the guages and power wires for the engine harness. And manual steering is no problem. Probably the simplest solution would be to mount an idler pulley in place of the power steering pump.
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2004 | 04:08 PM
  #3  
pasky's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,563
Likes: 1
Car: 1991 RS Camaro (Jet Black)
Engine: 95 383 CI (6.3) LT1
Transmission: 95 T-56
Im going manual steering for a little bit, im too lazy to hook up my power steering. Only power steering I need is all the power I can must up, hahaha.

But really, manually steering isn't so bad, only at stops its a pain in the butt, but once the car is moving its all smooth.
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2004 | 09:00 PM
  #4  
Trans Am#5's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 1
From: Chicago, Il
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: Lt1
Transmission: T56
Good choice on the Vette version. It will drop right in and all the wiring you'll need to splice into is at the C100 near the brake booster. The others will be inside. I have the same combo as you. You will need to have the PCM reprogrammed as the Vette programming is different and won't run stand alone. An f-body program will work just fine.
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2004 | 09:31 PM
  #5  
Traderartie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Car: 87 Iroc
Engine: Carbed LT1
Transmission: T56
Will it run at all with the PCM the way it is ? ...Will a dealer reprogram it for me ?

Thanks, Artie
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2004 | 09:35 PM
  #6  
Traderartie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Car: 87 Iroc
Engine: Carbed LT1
Transmission: T56
Also, Could give give me some kind of a list so I know what I need to splice in... This is my first go-around with fuel injection and I get lost in wires real easy... Any help to get me in the right direction would be a +


Thanks, Artie
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2004 | 10:06 PM
  #7  
Traderartie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Car: 87 Iroc
Engine: Carbed LT1
Transmission: T56
Nevermind...I found all the info I was looking for...Just had to dig a little deeper...

A new question though... Can I put a regular 350 cam in the LT1... Whats the difference... ( I have a hydrolic roller cam for a 350 that i would like to install if possible and also a set of roller rockers )

Thanks, Artie
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2004 | 10:38 PM
  #8  
TexasLT1's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,819
Likes: 3
From: Angleton, TX
Car: '92 RS
As long as the cam has the dowel pin hole for the optispark and has the same type retainer, you can use it. What cam do you have? Also, you can use any self aligning roller rockers, or non-self aligning with guide plates and hardened push rods.
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2004 | 08:12 PM
  #9  
Traderartie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Car: 87 Iroc
Engine: Carbed LT1
Transmission: T56
Can anyone tell me what the VATS connector looks like on the wiring harness from the ECM...Cant find it anywhere


Thanks, Artie
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2004 | 10:20 PM
  #10  
TexasLT1's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,819
Likes: 3
From: Angleton, TX
Car: '92 RS
Originally posted by Traderartie
Can anyone tell me what the VATS connector looks like on the wiring harness from the ECM...Cant find it anywhere


Thanks, Artie

Which harness are you looking at? The actual connector to the VATS module is black 16 pin connector up in the dash. However it is not going to be on the 4th gen harness. the C230 connector is one of the connectors that goes into the passenger compartment in the 4th gens, this carries the wire to the VATS module which connects else where under the dash. The C230 connector is a blue connector that I think is a 10 pin.
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2004 | 10:02 AM
  #11  
Traderartie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Car: 87 Iroc
Engine: Carbed LT1
Transmission: T56
My car did not come equipted with VATS...But I'm under the impression that the new ECM has it... I'm trying to figure out what to do about this... Should I just send out the ECM to be reprogramed or is there a way around it..

Thanks, Artie
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2004 | 11:09 AM
  #12  
Trans Am#5's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 1
From: Chicago, Il
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: Lt1
Transmission: T56
Yes...send out the PCM(whats it's called in regards to the 4th gen). Since you will have to do this anyway to get an F-body program written to it...it's only a few extra clicks for the programmer to diable VATS. Mine was done by Ion at www.madz28.com He is very reasonable and has an excellent turn around time.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2004 | 01:09 AM
  #13  
tzweelz's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Punta Gorda, Fl
i guess the 6speed is from the vette. i believe that makes it a zf6 and not a t56. its a great tranny but i dont think its a drop in install.
i just noticed because im looking for a t56 to go with the 95 lt1 i just bought. they're getting hard to come by and getting pricier.
in another month or so ill be going through all this lovely mess of wiring the motor to the car.

good luck
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2004 | 02:53 AM
  #14  
pasky's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,563
Likes: 1
Car: 1991 RS Camaro (Jet Black)
Engine: 95 383 CI (6.3) LT1
Transmission: 95 T-56
A Zf 6 speed requires a lot of modification to get into a f-body. You can sell it and easily net enough for a t-56. The ZF six speeds are real good manual trannies.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2004 | 02:23 PM
  #15  
Traderartie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Car: 87 Iroc
Engine: Carbed LT1
Transmission: T56
Do I need to keep the tube thing that runs from the back of the intake to the manifold (Looks like a emissions tube) Or can I cap it off at the back of the intake... Just wondering if I need to weld it into my header or not...

Just tell me if its better if I keep it or better without it

Thanks, Artie
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2004 | 06:26 PM
  #16  
Trans Am#5's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 1
From: Chicago, Il
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: Lt1
Transmission: T56
I blocked mine off and passed the roller test just fine.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
L0tuS
LTX and LSX
2
Oct 4, 2015 08:07 AM
WejaZ28
DFI and ECM
17
Oct 3, 2015 07:38 PM
jerflash
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
5
Sep 24, 2015 03:11 PM
mygta87
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Wanted
0
Sep 14, 2015 10:36 PM
L0tuS
LTX and LSX
0
Sep 4, 2015 11:16 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:42 AM.