i am needing to know if i take out my 305 and put an lt1 engine in my 1985 pontiac trans am could i keep my carb and what changes would i have to make to do this?

 

Sure. You can go carb'ed with a 93-97 LT-1 in your 3rd gen. There are a few things that you'll have to do, and purchase that are specfic to the efi to carb conversion related to the Gen II LT-1 motor. For a detailed explanation of what is needed I suggest you purchase this book; How to Rebuild Small-Block Chevy LT-1/LT-4 Engines by Mike Mavrigian, published by HPBooks. It's available from booksellers on-line or at better book stores off the shelf. I have this book myself and highly recommend it for all LT-1 owners.

Good luck

 

If you want to keep your carb, you'd be much better off putting a Gen I 350 in instead. LT1 carb makes no sense to me, since you'd be giving up a lot of the advantage of the LT1, and buying into a lot of trouble.

I'd say either swap in a complete LT1 engine and system, or go with a Gen I SBC with your current carb.

 

could you tell me the advantages i would be giving up if i decide to do this and what all do i need if i get the lt1 package because i got the engine out of a junkyard and all i have is the engine block itself.

 

Giving up the efi is the disadvantage.. think that's what five7kid is implying

 

Just the engine block? How much did you actually get? I hope at least the heads.

Personally, I'm not sure I'd bother. But, you should be able to find the rest that you don't have (EFI, computer, harnessing, etc.) from somebody that has a bad engine.

You could go the carb LT1 route, intakes and the like are available, but again, if it isn't very complete, I think I'd pass and go for a Gen I SBC.

 

i have the heads [bought seperate] but dont have the intake,computer harnessing, or EFI. but it sounds like it would be better to go with the original set up than to go carb.