I have an 88' camaro sans transmission or engine. It was originally a 305 car with an automatic. I was wondering what would be better to build, an LT1 or L98. It seems i can get about the same power from both, although the LT1 could be sightly cheaper with used engine coming out of 4th gens for $800-2K. Just wondering what peoples' opinions are. Also, what would be the MPG difference between the two ? (and I don't want 'if-it's-gas-mileage-your-looking-for-you-bought-the-wrong-car' cliche. I'm just curious)

 

Have you given any thought to an LS-1 installation? Used engine / transmission combo's are available for under $4K.

 

LS1 is a possibility, but i'm not sure how easy of a swap it would be. Also, they're hard to find around here. In junkyard's they've been plucked clean and they go for way too much on ebay. I know, because this was my original idea. I also like the idea of building up my own engine and the LSX series engines don't seem to lend themselves too well to this.

 

they are no different from an SBC or LT1 in that respect. they bolt together just the same as any other engine, and will need tuning just the same as any other fuel injected engine.

 

Ok, well with all things being equal performance wise, can somebody honestly tell me that I can get a complete LSX engine and tranny combo for under 4k, or even 5k. I can't find any anywhere. Also, regarding the swap, is it any more complicated than a TPI or LTX into what was originally a 305 equipped car?

 

The LS1 swap will kill you on little costs. Exhaust has to be completely custom, whereas on an LT1 you can use normal SBC exhaust for any 3rd gen. Motor mounts are different, etc.
The LT1 swap is supposed to be pretty easy, because on the outside it's basically still a gen 1 small block.

 

LT1, it's better than the L98, 285hp vs 245, not limited by the TPI, don't have to spend a ton on an intake to make it breath, not to mention the almost 27-28mpg you can get out of it with a 6-speed.

 

Ok, I've been doing some more research and I think that I will go with an LT1 swap. LSX would be nice, but everyone's right, it will kill you in little costs (looking at 8-10K including the engine). LT1 has more HP than TPI, breathes well and can be fitted with a off the shelf aftermarket exhaust (unlike an LSX for 3rd gen). As far as transmissions go, I'd love to go manual, but my car is, unfortunately, an automatic and i'm not spending the time or money to retrofit it with a T56. That being said: assuming the LT1 doesn't come with a trans, 700R4 or 4l60E? I'm aware of the major differences, I just want to know what peoples' thoughts or suggestions are.

 

use the 4l60e if you can get it with the engine.

 

I would say 4L60E, just because you can get it along with an LT1 for pretty cheap on fleabay.

 

Conversions or swaps, LT, LS or whatever, that differs from OE will have "little costs" and issues that you'll be confronted with. LS swaps are becoming more and more common along with the aftermarket parts to support the transplant. Hawks for one, carries many of the required parts. Check out their site on this board. Dont be fooled, an LT swap will require more than just a motor and transmission and in many ways wont differ that much from an LS swap.

Too bad you cant locate a used LS engine / trans locally. Some wrecking yards can search nationally for you or better yet, get on the web and search yourself. Again, you might inquire with Hawks. Here's just two others:

http://www.billygrahamscamaro.com
http://www.tacreationsusa.com

They carry LT and L98 stuff as well.

One last question. Do you need to be emmisions compliant?

 

In response to wadebryant, no, I don't need to be emissions compliant. Also; so the general consensus is go with the 4l60? Why?

 

If you dont want to spend the time or the money to convert from an auto to a manual, it appears that you answered your own question.

Good luck with your project.

 

You mean 4l60e. The 4l60e has no TV cable like the 700r4 does. I hate the TV cable. It just sucks trying to adjust it and also trying to install one while the tranny is installed. I got a 700r4 and I'm getting my 4l60e rebuilt, someday.

You can adjust the shifts electronically by reprogramming the pcm, rather than manually adjusting with the 700r4.

 

can anyone give me an itemized, list account of what I will need to setup the LT1 and, if possible, the approximate prices of said parts?

 

Motor
Tranny
PCM
engine harness
underhood fuse block and wiring (not needed but nice to use)
4th gen radiator/fan (again, not needed, but nice having the LT1 PCM turn the fans on and off and not cut any plugs on the LT1 engine harness)
Someone to program the VATS out of the LT1 PCM (again, not needed but easier than trying to install a VATS module)

The only other thing is you may want to swap out the dash harness and cluster to a '90-'92 cluster since Camaro's didn't get electric speedos until then, where the Firebirds got them starting in '87, or you can go with a Cable-X box to keep the stock cluster.

 

doesn't exist. at least I haven't seen one since I did my swap. I would plan on at LEAST double the price of the engine, triple might even be a better estimate. I had around $3000 into my swap by the time it was over and done with, keeping the T-5 originally with no performance modifications at the time.

 

Why not keep your TPI setup and swap an LT1 intake or a Stealth ram onto it? Or go carbeurated? The Lt1's have better heads from the factory but they're easily outdone by TONS of aftermarket standard SBC heads. Also was this car initially a TPI car or a TBI car? If it was initially a TBi car I'de simply swap a carb engine into it and cut the wiring so all of your gauges will still work. If it was a TPI car then the said intake swaps will work wonders.

 

thats true, but aftermarket LT1 and especially LT4 heads will outdo the SBC heads. yes, the TPI engines can be made into good performers, but you're starting out from a better point with an LT1 and especially an LS1.

 

I bought a wrecked 94 Camaro LT1 for $800. If you do that, the only parts I had to buy were the AC delete pulley, Autometer 4489 speedo gauge, custom air intake, and motor mounts. The biggest hurdle was the wiring, but that was handled easily by http://www.shbox.com. Check my cardomain site too, I have some stuff listed there of me doing the swap. Really wasn't that hard, and now that I've done it, doing it again would be a snap!

 

The main advantages of the LT1 are:
Mini-Ram style intake
Better flowing heads oem

Drawbacks to LT1:
Opti spark is ****

Advantages of Gen1:
More choise in heads, cams, parts etc
Real Mini-ram avaliable to Gen1's
Distributors are better

Drawbacks to Gen1:
Heavier
Most of em are worn to ****
More needs to be upgraded from the start

To make equal power to the LT1:
Mini Ram & AFR or TFS 195 heads
High Flow TPI w/ Vortec heads
Modified LT4 intake w/ vortec heads