hey guys. I'm currently debating whether or not to swap out the TBI 350 I've named Frankenstein for an LT1 from a 94 Camaro. The engine that is in my car now (88 Camaro) is a TBI 350 that makes 190 hp and 299 ft-lbs at the rear wheels at 3100 RPM and falls on its face by 4300. I honestly don't know exactly what parts are on the engine. I know its a 350, but the intake, TBI, and exhaust manifolds appear to be from the LO3 engine the car came with originally. Based on the semi-rough running of the car, I have reason to believe it is in need of a tune, if not running on the stock LO3 tune. So onto the conundrum...I have available to me a salvage 94 camaro with complete engine, computer and wiring harness. My question is if it would be worth it to swap the LT1 in for what I have now. I figure i'd gain about 30-40 whp over what i have now, as well as have a better power curve, at the cost of losing some ft-lbs. I don't have the time or technical expertise to do the swap myself, so i supposed the bottom line is:
Is the money best spent doing the LT1 swap, or spending the money to work with what i already have. I figure the LT1 is somewhat better technology and at least I would KNOW exactly what i have under the hood. Thanks for any opinions.

 

If you have the time, and knoledge to do it, then why not.

You can run 6500 compared to 4300, better fuel ecomoney, and alot more fun to drive.

Plus you have the donor car available. you can get most of your parts from it.

 

It would be worth it. You can do a cam swap and some head/intake porting and polishing and have a nice running car. Plus the added benefit of FI.

If you ahve the time, why not?

 

I don't regret my LT1.

CAI, tune, headers, cat-back. bottom 13's all day long about 103mph. This is the smaller cam, iron headed B-body LT1 thats down a rated 25hp compared to the F-body LT1s.

 

Cool. Thanks guys. Nothing like hearing what you wanna hear. Quick question regarding the swap. My car is has a T5 transmission and the donor 94 camaro has the 4-speed auto...would that present any problems if I use the computer from the donor car?

 

your LT1 PCM should be flashed to change to manual settings

 

Oh ok. What does that entail exactly? Sorry for what are probably questions with obvious answers, but I haven't dealt much with this kind of thing.

 

www.madz28.com or you can get the equipment and software to do it yourself.

If you are bone stock, you can just load a compatible stock 6spd tune. Or you can change the settings yourself.