hello, my name is robert, i'm from placentia and much to all your dismay, i am a ford fan (i own your arch rival, a 1985 Ford mustang GT). before you throw me out, i am merely here to relay messages to someone who doesent have internet access. Currently, has has a '89 Camaro RS with a 305 TBI. he has a LT1 engine lying around and he is wondering if it's possible to run a LT1 engine with 305 TBI hardware (intake, throttle body, sensors, computer, etc.)

he would like to run an LT1 with TBI fuel system. is it possible/practical?

 

My Guess would be no try the LTx LSx forum you will get much better answers there

Kyle

 

Putting TBI on an LT1 would be the performance equavilent of putting short skinny tires that hang out the fenderwells (on wide gold center rims, of course) for improved handling.

If you want to put an LT1 engine in a 3rd gen, do the whole LT1 install.

 

In short

possible: yes

Practical or smart: No

 

i dont know about you guys.. but ive never seen a TBI manifold for GEN II LT1 engines..

 

LT1 carb manifold and an adapter plate.

 

There are a lot of haters of TBI, believe me. I used to be one of them. The problem will TBI is that only 2 injectors are used to power the motor, although through the use of an ECM they are very fuel efficient. You could easily power an LT1 with a pair of larger injectors and/or a high output fuel pump(which you will need no matter what intake is used).

No offense LT1 guys ,but we aren't talking a whole lot of power with a stock LT1 heads and cam. I am running a GM H.O. 350 with a TB off a 5.0 RS and I am running HP #'s higher than the motor was rated at (330 fwhp).

So anyone that says that TBI can't handle the horsepower doesn't really understand (example: myself 9 months ago).

By running an LT1 with your stock ECM and TB, you will need to do some computer tuning(which can be a pain). SO my advice would be that if you are planning on leaving the LT1 stock, get ahold of an ECM, wiring harness, and LT1 intake (get the new fuel pump, wire-up bolt-on and go). But if you plan on changing heads or cam, you'll need to tune anyway, and the TBI is capable of a lot once its tuned properly.

TB's can be bored out for huge amounts of air flow but your biggest concern is fuel. Most people that say your TBI can't support a LT1 are probably thinking stock fuel pressure on stock injectors. 5.7L 60 lb/hr or Cop car 65 lb/hr injectors are going to be more than enough to kick that LT1.

 

I'm not arguing against anything you are saying. I would only ask - why? If you want to keep TBI, it makes a whole lot more sense to go get a Gen I motor. You could sell the LT1 engine and finance the project. Otherwise, you'll be spending all of your time fitting a square peg in a round hole. Can it be done? Sure. Is there a good reason to do it? Probably not.

Don't forget the operative LT1 word - Optispark.

 

True but there is a $700 fix for that Optispark and intake manifold problem. Of course an ECM and harness is much cheaper but more labor intensive.

 

The optispark is overrated. Most of the time its just the cap and rotor, and people wondering why a cap and rotor doesn't last 100,000-200,000 miles. The vented ones from 95-97 have had less problems.

My brother and I changed out his opti on his 95 last weekend, well the cap and rotor anyway. So, started it up and it didn't want to run at first and then it didn't want to run right. Then I find out he never checked the fuel pressure. Yep, all that work for really nothing but an opti experience.

In reflection, if you have a good harmonic clamp balancer puller (i didn't), an impact, an E4 torx deep socket (for just cap and rotor), the opti isn't that bad. Plus, i just bought a used one with 50K miles on it for a spare for under $75 shipped, just in case my engine's problem is the opti. Actually it would probably be easier on a thirdgen since there is more room between the fans and the motor. I probably should spend $600-$1000 for a good aftermarket opti or coil packs but i dont feel like it right now.