I've been on this site for years, using the infinate wisdom provided by the search button and offering my humble knowledge whenever possible.

Finally, I'm making some serious moves towards getting my Firebird where it needs to be, and wanted to create a thread to share my experiences during this process, gather different points of view, and hopefully create a knowledge base for the soon to be LT1 swappers out there. I am always on a tight budget, and I've found some creative/common sense ways to save money and raise funds for the parts required.

So far, I've gathered a '94 roadmaster (144k, $250), and '94 caprice wagon (77k, $300). The Roadmaster shell is gone, and I've sold some parts I won't be needing. The caprice is still fully assembled and running.

The basic outline of this plan is to install the entire 77k motor from the caprice, with a fresh tune up, a better flowing intake ***'y, and 1 5/8" D-port headers into the Firebird with a Zoom clutch (the one made with some kevlar in it) mated up to the 305 flywheel and stock T5.

The 144k short block will be rebuilt over the next year or two to have on hand and hopefully make 400 HP and 460 ft. lbs. in a few years. Obviously a different trans will be behind that guy.

This project will include underhood/underside freshening as well, but I will try to keep the focus on the LT1 swap itself. My projected budget so far is looking to be under $1000 out of pocket from now on (not including the rebuild of the 144k block, just the 77k install). I've got a spreadsheet going, as well as pictures that I will upload in the near future for those interested.

In the meanwhile, I'm interested in any specific requests as far as pictures needed or info that I could gather while I perform this. It won't necessarily be an overnight project, but I hope to be as informative as possible and help the next guy out.

 

You left out how to get your speedo working

A good tuner can fudge the signal ratio in the PCM and get you close. To get an accurate reading you either need a converter box or swap parts with a 4th gen V6 T5

Nab the tailhousing, VSS, relutor ring and VSS pigtail

You dont need specific D-port headers. They would be ideal, but any 3rd gen header with 1 5/8" or larger primaries will fit just fine

Dont forget the fuel lines/fittings. They are not cheap

 

Forgive my ignorance, but are cast iron LT1 heads D-ports?

 

There were for the 95 B-body swap into my friends 79 that I built the wiring and exhaust for

I checked the gasket coverage before I installed the headers. it will be fine

 

Pocket,

Thanks for bringing the speedo up... I didn't think of that, just as I'm sure theres alot of other things I didn't think of yet. Believe it or not my budget includes an allowance for forgotten items as well as an allowance for unforseeable events, so I stand by my $1000 estimate. That figure includes the sales of unused parts keep in mind.

I spent all that money on an accounting degree to end up a chef, so I guess I just felt the urge to use it somewhere.
The cast iron heads are definately D-Ports. I checked a visual as well as in a reference book.

By the way, a very good book I've been referring to is the LT1/LT4 rebuild book from the summit catalog.

 

Having all your ducks in a row will make life easier but something will ALWAYS jump up unexpected. Same with my $200 LM7 which is nearing a $2000 swap

Also, dont forget small things like hardware, hoses and clamps. Those add up in a heartbeat. I feel ridiculous for it but I actually saved about $40 taking a bucket to the junkyard and just nabbing bolts, vacuum fittings and clamps

 

OMFG BATMAN!!!!!



thats the best idea i have ever heard.
wow
you are my new idol lol.
OMFG
i cant believe i never thought of that