Hi this looks to be the right place to ask this question. Im not totally sure Im new here I have currently a 94 Z28 and I also have a 85 T/A the motor is bad I just love the old T/A's body style and was wondering if I did the motor swap if I have everything I need other than sending the wireing off to be repinned If I dont could Someone help me along the way letting me know what I would need to get.

 

I think before I cannibalized the 1994, I'd sell it, and maybe have enough cash for a LS1 swap instead of the LT1 - the LS1 is a much stronger nicer greater performing engine, and I've seen folks pick up standard slightly used LS1's around here for as little as $1000. If the 1994 is decent and running well, might even sell it for enough to snag a complete LS1/T-56 drivetrain (if you can find a totalled 1998+ 4th gen).

 

nah, you need at least the LS3 engine. Why go with the older LS1? Anyway, unless the LS1 was rebuilt you'd be buying an old engine that should be rebuilt. With the LS3 chances are you'd have a better shot at finding a better engine.



Anyway, back to reality. If your 4th gen is running and in good shape why cannibalize it? Get your current engine rebuilt rather than buying some old used engine and swapping in someone else' problems unless you get that engine rebuilt as well.

 

Thank you for the suggestions Im still thinking about just rebuilding the T/A's motor Since Ive been talking to a couple friends and the Tune Port Injection is becoming very rare so i may just rebuild it

 

I wouldn't do it because of someone's perceived "rarity" of the engine. Run a cost-benefit analysis and it makes sense to rebuild what you have. It's not difficult to yank the engine. You already know what you have and you can shop around to get it rebuilt. You don't deal with any wiring issues and modifying harnesses or accessories. You could upgrade the cam while the engine is being rebuilt and get a wee bit more power out of it. It might be a good time to refresh the tranny as well.

Or, you could go buy someone else' problem (aka used motor) and try to slap it in and pray for the best.

 

I agree on the 'perceived' rarity - Granted cars are being crushed daily, but there's nothing 'rare' about a TPI motor - just look at how many folks here have one.

LS3 vs. LS1 - agreed the LS3 is a more powerful motor - but we weren't talking ultimate swap. Nothing wrong with older - older doesn't mean not as good by any means. I'm running a 1969 block, and there's nothing wrong with it at all! EVERY LS1 (that's running) has got to be at least in as good a shape as my old 350! Although LS3 might be a nicer swap, not all of us have upteem gazillion dollars to buy what's better, we have limited budgets to buy what's better for us. Hell, if you have LS3 money, then you probably have LS7 money - why buy a LS3 when you could have a LS7?

 

EXACTLY!!!! that is why I made the silly comment about the LS3 and then later said "back to reality"

If you already have an engine, and it needs to be rebuilt, why buy someone else' problem namely a used LT or LS when you could rebuild your own engine? If the intent is to buy a used LS and then get it rebuilt, then OK but again, an LS1 is nothing magical because there are better engines out there and a gen 1, with today's parts, can also be made to run hard and reliable.

 

Again Thank you for the feedback between the experience working on my 94 and my 85 I think i may just stick with Rebuilding my 85 since I do have most of my knowledge with that motor/model and theres alot less Electrical with the 85 here's what Im looking at is Reliable with a little bit of power like the 94 Camaro has Im not sure what the HP of the old TPI 305 but i think its around 210 and the 94s are around 275 so maybe a little bit of input (like the best cost effective way without loseing too much on the MPG) and could you suggest a Manual Transmission Type I could look for to replace the 700R4 I really wanna make it a Manual