Ok guys, it has JUST started.

To heck with building my 305 tpi.

My plans for my LT1 engine/drivetrain swap into my 86 Z28:

I found a 97 Z28 with everything in it but the steering column.

$1800 for the whole car. Not bad at all, in my opinion.

I'm first going to yank the rear out, swap in 3.42's, and swap that into my 86. I've just got to get the proportioning valve and little parts.

Then, I'm going to swap the LT1 and tranny into my 86. The ecm and wiring are still in the 97, too.

My big concern is the wiring (I HATE wiring stuff). By the time I am ready to do the swap, I want to have a good understanding of what the heck is going on with the LT1 harness/86 wiring stuff. I want the wiring part to go as smoothly as possible, once I'm ready to do the swap.

It seems to me that all I have to worry about is the CAR/DASH side of the LT1 harness and how to wire that into the wires that are left over, after pulling my 86 ecm and wiring out.

What is the best thread on here that shows how to use the LT1 harness combined with the car side wiring on an 86 Z28?

Thanks to anyone with advice, tips, willingness to help.

I am excited to have a better engine in my Camaro. It should be way nice, once it's all done.

 

Well, it seemed that each year changed the wiring out just enough to confuse people. '86 had different dash harness than '87, then '88 changed things up and 89...then 90+ seemed to be close to the same. Read through the wiring for dummies thread, there are alot of diagrams and so on in there that should be able to help.

 

I'll read them again. I got confused as I read further and further. All I need is the LT1 harness, though, correct? I mean...I don't need anything from my stock tpi harness, right?

I get confused as to what wiring is from the third gen and what wiring is from the LT1 harness.

One thing I am going to do FOR SURE is label all the pigtails and stuff on the LT1 harness, when I pull the engine, so I know where the darn things went (tranny, dash, etc.) Everything that is plugged into the actual engine I am leaving the heck alone.

 

You will need some wires from your TPI harness. IIRC Pocket has a harness set up for a LT1 for sale if you want to buy one. Like Klortho said wiring seemed to change almost every so make SURE of the wires you need. But here is some reading for you.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...p-3rd-gen.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...formation.html

http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech2.html#1995_pcm_pinouts

 

I appreciate it.

I'm getting the LT1 harness with the engine, so I just need to know how to wire that harness into the "car side" of my 86. I think the only parts I'll need from my original harness are the parts that go to the instrument panel and ignition.

 

youre on the right track. If i may be pocket for a second- the cleanest solution to all this is to take apart the lt1 harness down to connectors, and rebuild it disposing of features you dont want and routing it as you please. There are very good instructions here: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...rt-finish.html

that are nearly identical for LT1, just get your pcm pinouts here: http://lt1swap.com/lt1_pcm_pinout.htm

I am nearly finished with this process, and it has gone quite smoothly.

~Steven

 

PCM pinouts--hmm...I am trying to figure out why I need to worry about those. I guess certain wires from the LT1 pcm go to certain wires that are in the 86 car, right? on the CAR side. I shouldn't have to mess with any of the ones going to the LT1 engine itself.

It will be easier to understand once I take everything apart and look at the harness and pcm I guess.

I HATE not knowing what I am doing and when I cannot visualize what the heck is going on.

It will certainly be a worthwhile swap, though, no doubt in my mind.