aximil

i have been thinking for a while now that i want to do a lt1 swap into my 89 035 tpi. i recently found a sweet deal on a '95 corvette lt1 with all the accessories harness and computer and such. i've done a lot of search on the boards (when the serach was working ) and have found a lot of different opinions about doing the wiring for the swap. i will be using my T-5 (babying it of course) until i can get a T56. my primary questions are:

1. how hard is the electrical/wiring stuff, do i just have to splice a couple wires and plug in the pcm, or is there a lot involve with it?

2. what do i need to do exactly with the wiring stuff (or where to look to find out)?

3. for the pcm can i use the aldl cable and port i have for my current ecm?

yes, i reallize 1 and 2 are almost the same question but i tried to be specific with my question

thanks in advanced

aximil

ya...the engine sold already ohh well, it happens. i was also wondering however if maybe i should start looking at the lt1 engines from a f-body, i have been only looking for a vette engine because of the 4-bolt main, but it seems that are a lot more f-body lt1s out there.

Should i keep looking for a 4 bolt main lt1 or would a 2-bolt main f-body lt1 be good enough (i don't think i'll ever get over the 450hp mark....)???

Klortho

4 bolt main block is overrated. I know plenty of people putting 400+ with a f-body engine and it holds together.

One was running 6.80's in the 1/8th with the stock bottom end in a '94 Formula

Tricked-Out-Toy

iTrader: (1)

I have to agree, the stock bottom end is very strong, im in the process of installing LE3 heads with an LE2 cam and that should net me between 400 and 430 at the wheels and im running stock bottom internals. If your going to do an LT1 swap get and engine from either a 96 or a 97 camaro, not a vette. the accesories on a vette dont work as well as the ones from a camaro. and the only thing you will need is the AC delet pulley which you can buy on ebay all day long. also you will need to buy an impala power stearing hose(pressure side) also I would recomend getting the 96-97 wiring harness rewired for "stand alone" use, theres a few places that do it, I dont remember who did mine but installing it was easier than I ever imagined. the only problem I ran into was VATS and the speedo, VAts can be programed out by Ion at MADz28.com and the speddo calibration box you can get from dakota digital. both are great places/ppl to deal with.

Also another reason to get the 96-97 LT1's is the rods that come stock, suposably the PM (Powdered Metal) rods are stronger that the previous years plus the look great to!

Klortho

Actually, all of the LT1's have PM rods in them, the '95s are the most sought after since they have the biggest cam. '96 went with OBDII and the cam size went down and OBDI is a little more forgiving in tuning with different cams.

vernw

iTrader: (2)

Taht's all good info, thanks

Tricked-Out-Toy

iTrader: (1)

I know for a fact that all LT1's did NOT have PM rods. but I supose that doesnt really matter, most ppl swap them out for some aftermarket ones anyway. I know Ive pulled a couple 94's and one 95 and they didnt have them. I have pulled other 95's and they did. I guess it might matter on the production date.

Klortho

Some of the '95s could also be read by an OBDII scanner as well, even though they were OBDI, I know my '95 has PM rods.

aximil

ok cool, in that case i'll start looking for a 2-bolt lt-1 since they are much cheaper and seem like they'll hold my power just fine. i think i would like to get the 95 version simply because it is much easier to tune for the obd1 and i already have most of the stuff i would need to do it where as for the obd 2 in the 96-97 models would require me to buy new tuning stuff.

Firebat

iTrader: (7)

A 96-97 can be converted to obdi. Just something to keep in mind if you find a killer deal on a 96-97 LT1.

aximil

is 1800 bucks a good price for an LT1 ?? found a salvage yard in my area with several of them. theres a 94 vette lt1, a 94 camaro lt1, a 97 camaro lt1. which would be better to go with or would i be better to wait for a better deal somewhere... included would be the "engine, brain, wiring, starter alternator."

also they have about 70-80 K miles each

Firebat

iTrader: (7)

seems a little high. If you got the engine and transmission it might be about right. others may disagree.

Leader_One

I purchased my 94 LT1 out of a roadmaster for 800 dollars, it has 70k miles on it.

Tricked-Out-Toy

iTrader: (1)

1800 is WAY WAY to much you can get an ls1 for less than that. check ebay out, I bought my on there from a reputable dealer for 1200 shipped and that was almost 4 years ago. you should be able to get it cheaper, but make sure you get it from a camaro or vette, LT1s from roadmasters and impalas had iron heads.

Klortho

I got my LT1/T56 for 2800 with everything.

Klortho

dupe post delete please

xomega

iTrader: (1)

1200 for lt1 out of fbody w/ all accessories. 400 for 4l60e
1600 total. not to muntion the extras tho

aximil

ok, i'll keep looking then...my only problem is that i am in washington so all the good deals on ebay and such aren't so great anymore after 650 bucks shipping...

xomega

iTrader: (1)

mine came off ebay. shopping from wisconsin was 250 dollars. check out some companys like r&lcarriers and ect. dont try ups shipping or dhl or even fedex for that matter. theyll want double if not triple what the freight companys want

Tricked-Out-Toy

iTrader: (1)

Ya have it shipped to a local depot, thats the best and cheapest way. you shouldnt have to pay more then 300 for shipping, and the 300 would only be if it was shipped from florida.

Klortho

Contact Ryan or Scott at Tennessee Auto 1-800-884-7501

I know they have an LT1 that they pulled with tranny, but don't know what the exact cost is and they can give you a quote with shipping. This is where I bought my motor at and they are good guys to deal with.

Tricked-Out-Toy

iTrader: (1)

also if you dont find something from them try kevin at extreme auto here in albany. his number is 518-477-2955. tell him Josh with the white camaro sent you. and make sure you get all the wiring.

nesqwick_05

im getting my lt1 swap package with everything execpt for the fans for 700, i thnk im getting a really good deal on it, its outta a 95 roadmaster

Klortho

Seems that the engines other than the Vette and F-body cars are cheaper. But then again, those were made with iron heads and a smaller cam. I believe they were rated at either 245 or 255hp.

nesqwick_05

265 hp, 330ft lbs tq, and i think i could pick up a set of used aluminum heads and still spend alot less money then a f body lt1

vernw

iTrader: (2)

Ah, that's probably what I'd try and do. Is there any real advantage to using a 97 Camaro ECM and OBDII vs. an earlier (like 95) ECM and OBDI?

If you try to convert over to OBDI, what does it entail?

Klortho

OBDI is a little more forgiving in the tuning.

All it entails is swapping the PCM's if I remember. I believe that pcm4less can take an OBDII pcm and program it with an OBDI program, but don't hold me to that.

BackInBlack86

interesting... the GM F-body parts catalog lists this exact same part number from 93-97.

5.700" PM Connecting Rod, Single :: 10108688 - SDPC