ok....... im completely stumped!!!! can anyone help me on this build? i used to have a 93 lt1 that i fixed up and then i sold it. i bought the motor and tranny back from him and now i would like to put it into this 86 that i got from a friend of mine. i have everything that came out of the 93. i also have a junked 95 ta that is sitting n the yard. so, if i can make this work, i am all ears!!!!! please help!!!!!!!!!

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

Of course you can make it work. Read the LT1 sticky at the top of this forum for starters. Since you're starting with a V6 car, you'll have a couple of extra details with regard to engine mounts & brake lines - which you can read about in the V6-V8 sticky at the top of the main Engine Swap forum.

 

im just wondering if the suspension pieces will bolt up. or am i going to have to do some fabricating?

 

What suspension pieces?

The front suspension? No. But you don't need it to swap in the LT1 and transmission.

The rear suspension? The axle is an inch wider on each side and no stronger than your 3rd gen rear (other than the 28 spline axles - just use the carrier from the 4th gen, if it's posi, or get an aftermarket posi carrier for 28 splines and get 28 spline aftermarket axles while you're at it). The other rear suspension components are the same - driveshaft, torque arm, etc.

 

IM STILL TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT NEEDS TO B DONE TO THE FRONT END TO MAKE A HOME FOR THE LT1(MAINLY THE KMEMBER, SHOCKS, STRUTS, ETC) SORRY TO BUG U SO MUCH BOUT IT

 

Use standard SBC motor mounts, move the frame mounts to front set of holes in the crossmember, wire it up and you'll be set.

 

You'll probably need some V8 front springs from a third gen. I don't think your 4th gen stuff will work.

 

The V6 springs will be fine, when I had the LT1 in my V6 car I didnt' swap any of it out. None of the front suspension of the 4th gen will work but the rear is the same.

 

go get a thirdgen that had a v8 front end and swap that in, would be an idea. this isn't that bad of swap. the problem your goin to run into is your a/c. where do you live? and do you really need a/c? or can just notch the k-member. are you using the '93 PCM? if so (plz correct me if im wrong) trash it, aren't programable like the '94-'97 ones unless you chip it and want to spend the time while you can just plug your laptop in instead. Wiring use the '93 or '95 harness they're the same. Im not too sure on the springs. its like putting a L98 on v6 springs. it might bottom it out it. LS1 is the exception. Like i said above i'm not 100%. sure i got the info from just reading for about a year straight lol.

 

If you have aluminum heads, no AC, and manual transmission, the V6 springs will probably be okay.

If you have iron heads, AC, and automatic transmission, you'd better figure on putting in V8 springs.

 

Get a V8 car to swap it in ? To gain what ? Motor mounts that are worn out anyway, so replacing them is the same, exhaust manifolds that wont properly match the ports on the LT1 heads ? The car isnt going to come close to bottoming out on the stock springs...

 

Mrchevy: is the LT1 setup auto or manual ? Being an 86' V6 it *should* be factory efi which helps since you should already have the correct efi sending unit, along with efi feed and returns for the fuel. Get us some details and we'll help you get it together...

 

if you meant SBC manifolds wont match the LT1 thats not right. SBC manifolds will match up on a LT1, its ALMOST the same as a SBC with the exception of the reverse cooling, water pump and opti spark. Its better to replace the fuel pump. V8 need more fuel than a V6. five7 kid is correct the LT1 w/ a/c and an auto would give those V6 springs hell.

 

SBC manifolds would choke the LT1 down, LT1 also have D-port heads so like Z28 said, the ports won't match. Headers are the best thing (actually the only thing) aftermarket that needs to be purchased. V6 springs may be weak on one with iron heads, auto and a/c but the aluminum heads will take a bit of weight off the front. With my T56, a/c and aluminum head LT1 the original V6 car I had the motor combo in the front sat higher off the ground than when the V6 was in it.

 

thanks for the correction didn't know that

 

My friends car that I did the swap in sits just fine with the auto and stock V6 springs, actually it will be nice after i install her lowering springs, the only thing its short is the a/c compressor, and if you think the 10-15 lbs for that is gonna drastically lower the car, sorry it doesnt happen.

As far as manifolds go, yes stock manifolds will allow the car to run, but it interferes with the port a good bit, you can grind the ports out and make them cover, but it leaves you with very little material to seal up the gasket, and still isnt even close to optimal for flow.

As far as comparing auto to manual for weight differences, there arent many LT1 swaps using a T5, and the T56 VS 4L60E is gonna weigh in about the same....