Hello everyone,


Well, my recently dropped 305 just took a **** after only a month of use, and since I'm just too much of an imbecile to give up for a while, I've decided to go ahead and take a step up in the world by dropping an LT1 in it's place in my 89 IROC. The LT1 is a 96, and it was pulled out of an Impala SS, but that's about all that I know about it.


Before I go through with purchasing the motor, there is a few things that I would first like to know. First off, I would like to know what modifications I can expect to have to make to the electrical setup. I've browsed around the forums, but I can't seem to find any one decisive thing for my circumstance.

Secondly, and this is the one that bothers me - the LT1's are distributorless engines, so how's that going to work, anyway? Is the engine capable of running with a distributor if I just remove the intake and slap on my old one from the 305? Could it run with the coils in my thirdgen? What is UP with that?

Thirdly, the computer. I've done little work with computers in these cars, and I'm not sure what I should expect from something like this. The original computer is for a 305, and God knows I don't have the right stuff to reprogram it, so is yanking the computer from the Impala an option?

With all of the implications with the electronics and F.I, I was seriously considering a carb, which I may very well do if it turns out I'm going to have to dish out another $400 just to get it running with an injection setup. I have intermediate knowledge of this kind of thing, but I dare say the LT1 is uncharted territory, so any help would be very much appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

 

Well I don't know alot about the first ? But you can run a distributor check out LT1 Intake - LT1intake.com And you will need the comp,a few wires off the harness.And if I where you I would try to get the tranny also. The LT1's out of the Impalas,Caprice,Roadmasters have Iorn heads.F-body and Vetts have aluminum heads.But if you do a search for LT1 swap It will tell you more than I could.

 

You won't be able to run a regular distributor if you use the ECM from the LT1.

 

That's good to know, I'll keep all of that in mind. I've talked to a few people about it, and they've told me a lot about needing a laptop to get it set right, but I don't have much confirmation on how credible that is.

As of now, it looks like I'm not going to do it.