not alot of updates yet. Just received my harness from Jon on Thursday, and ive been working on hooking everything up.

As far as headers go, im pretty sure ive decided on some Hedman Shortys. So i can buy the direct bolt-on y-pipe.

Hopefully have more up dates soon

 

Its been awhile since ive updated, or gotten to do any work on the car. Got a new house, and just got back from vacation, now starting to get more parts!.Yesterday i picked up a new alternator, AC bypass pulley and serp. belt from NAPA. I still also have to finish hooking up my harness, which turned out awesome!

After headers and a few misc. items we should have a first fire.

 

Another update,

Due to the heat index being over 120 today, i got the day off work. And some time to finally get some work done on my swap. Decided to take my radiator back out to make everything alittle easier, and ran my headlight wires tucked away and got 90% of the wiring hooked up.

Installed my AC delete pulley, and my new alternator. I heard a rumor that your supposed to put 2 washers between the pulley and the bracket to make it even with the serpentine setup, But it looks like its flush without them.Got my alternator mostly in but it took me all day running back and forth to the hardware store to find out the bolt size for the top one(smaller bolt). i thought it was a M10, but it wasnt a 1.50,1.25 or 1.0. So it must be M8.
I took a few pics, sorry for the bad quality(blackberry)


Also got my heater hoses today. It seems like im close! and im trying to work out a deal on some headers right now.

Do i have to do anything special to turn the motor with no transmission hooked up? Its a manual car, so im not for sure.

 

Hey I just read thru your swap, looking good man. I just seen s used t56 with clutch, fork, pedals, bm short throw shifter, everything you need to do a trans swap on here for I believe 1500$. Pretty good deal. I paid 1300 for my trans alone and I had to buy a new flywheel (pre-86 block) new Clutch master, hurst shifter, all new arp bolts throughout, it was a major PITA! And also, I have a spare hawks crossmember for long tube headers that's never been installed if you're interested. (tip: when ordering parts online, ALWAYS check the quantity box..... Lmao)

 

And to answer your question, as long as the flywheel is bolted up prOperly I'm pretty sure you can fire it up! And another tip, read up on Online170's swap thread, he shows the easy ways and the hard ways of mounting a t56 while the engine is in the car! Hopefully that helps you out bit! Im halfway thru my swap as well, not looking good for being streetable anytime soon tho

 

Thanks for the info man. 1500 is a good deal for everything, just hard to come about that much money at one time for me. Hopefully searching for awhile and looking under rocks and ill find one at a good price.

Good luck on your swap!

 

Thought I'd let ya know! I'll be following your swap to see how it goes. Good luck!

 

Little bit of an update, picked up some Edelbrock TES headers & ypipe, AC delete box and rad. shroud for a pretty good price. Spent the weekend painting the headers and ypipe. Put on 2000 degree rated paint, which i know wont last long, but i couldnt put the in with how they looked.. So its better than nothing




Trying to be alittle crafty. Taped off the Edelbrock stamp after the base coat, turned out nice i think.

Just gotta get a flywheel, and Im pretty sure I can turn it over.

Or is that a bad idea?

 

Swap is coming along nicely! Keep up the good work! I'm in the final stages of my LT1/T56 swap right now. You can do it!

~JAKE

 

Thanks man, good luck with the final stages of your swap!

Today i got alot done, repainted my heater box, it was all dirty and scuffed so i just laid some gloss black on over top. Good as new. Also got my headers installed, passenger side went in with no issues, but as far as the drivers side goes, i had to unbolt my motor mount and jack the motor up alittle bit. Kindof a pain, but only took about a half hour or so to get it all bolted in and back on the mount. I ended up going with Mr.Gasket Copper Gaskets.
I also got the starter bolted in, and ordered a new flywheel from NAPA today. Should be in by the end of the week. Then I can hopefully fire her up to see if she can breathe some life.
Ive been doing some research trying to find out how to start it with no trans. Apparently you bypass the neutral safty switch ny jumping the big yellow wire and brown wire together. ill check that out later, but heres some pics.

 

Picked up a few new goodies from NAPA today.


New steel flywheel and CTS sensor that goes on the front of the waterpump, i think this is the last sensor i need

This swap is nickle and dimeing me to death!

 

got a few minutes to spend in the garage today, so just did a few things. Torqued down my flywheel, headers and finished hooking up my starer. Then finally mounted my dist. block and power steering resevoir.

I wish i could have done more, but i ran out of time and parts.

Also bypassed my VSS, so i can fire up my motor before i get my trans. just took an inch of 16g wire, spliced the ends looped it, and plugged into the connector(sorry again for the blurry pic)

 

Looking good buddy!

I thought the Coolant Temperature Sensor is in the driver's side head. Am I wrong?

And heck yeah the nickel and diming is driving me insane, too. I just orderded a bunch of stuff again! However, I am being picky and building a true cold air intake, so I needed to buy aluminum tubing and elbows and stuff. I also bought the egr block off plates, tpis high flow maf housing(s), shift **** adapter insert, and the list goes on.

I still have a buttload of parts to order. It seems never ending.

My darn shortblock isn't even finished yet

 

The CTS on the waterpump is the sensor for the PCM, the one your refering too is the sensor for the guage(just picked upi aq new one from autozone yesterday)

After fluids and a tune, She should fire up

 

What are you doing for the tune? I went with Solomon LT1PCMtuning and it turned out great.

Looks good on the swap. I just need to make up my damm mind on my exhaust and get it on the road.

 

I'm going with pcmforless but I almost went with solomon. You gotta post a video of your first startup!!!

 

im going with lt1pcmtuning. I went through both their websites and i was feeling better about them. Plus ive heard alot about Solomon. Just gotta finish filling up my info.

as far as ehaust, I have a magnaflow catback, and i love it! Has a really deep, mellow sound with me 305

 

The Magnaflow is the best exhaust for the money, hands down. Good flow and good quality.

Make sure and post a video of your first startup. We wanna see and hear!

 

Im another who went with PCMforless (Bryan Herter). Have nothing but great things to say about him. He got my 383 LT1 supercharger tune right on. Started up perfect the first time and has been running great. Have some O2 issues but not a tune problem.

I also have magnaflow mufflers on my exhaust. My setup is true dual 3 in. pipes, no cats, through magnaflow muffflers and out the back. headers are 3/4" stepped up to 7/8". Sounds like a pure beast. I have a video of start up but its a large file and dont have ability to host anywhere...

 

I havent heard anything bad about either company, guess it just comes down to which one is cheaper, but im pretty convinced im going to lt1pcmtuning.com.

Dont worry ill post a video for sure. Still have some kinks to work out before i turn the key(tune, O2s, Fluids, torqe headers) and hopefully I can get some fuel pressure

 

I went with PCM4less on mine and just got it back this weekend. AND IT FIRED RIGHT UP!!!! WOHOO man that is such a great feeling. Good luck getting your started!

~JAKE

 

Congrats on your first startup!

Today I had a few minutes to work on the car. I decided to do the "ignition coil mod" where you place a washer behind the coil to allow air space so the coil doesnt overheat and burnout while your doing 70 down the interstate.. I figured 5 minutes was worth it.


I actually managed to find my opti lines. thank god, because the dealership wanted an arm and a leg for it. But i do have one question about that, according to:http://shbox.com/1/opti_vacuum_harness.jpg there should be a slot on my intake elbow for it. I have one of the lines running to the manifold already, do I just run the other one to the intake also?

 

The opti vacuum lines are essentially a mini-PCV system. The post MAF port is filtered/metered fresh air into the opti. The manifold vacuum line is moisture filled air being sucked out. GM's bandaid for the achilles heel of water is to keep the air moving constantly so moisture cannot build up. Of course it does diddly when the car sits, but its the thought that counts right?

Also, Id pull that wire loop out of the VSS connector. Im not sure what happens when its looped but I cant imagine its of any benefit. At worst without the VSS plugged in, you may stall out when coming to a stop from moving. It wont affect driving or idling

 

You can run the other line to a hole in the stock intake elbow or a hole that is made in an aftermarket elbow...it's the vent for the optispark unit. Or you can run it to wherever you want and fasten it down but you'd have to put a small air filter on the end of the line, as you don't want to chance getting dirt into your optispark.

I'm completely relocating the coil on my LT1. It's kinda part of the simple serpentine kit and smaller alternator I am doing.

 

Pocket beat me to the punch. Way to go Pocket!

 

That flywheel is way nice compared to mine. My builder is going to clean and resurface mine. I hope it looks half as nice as a new one.

 

Yeah i was looking at that earlier, i meant to by-pass the neutral safety switch, so I can turn the motor over. As far as the opti line goes, according the the diagram there should be a slot for it on the intake but its not there. Ill check it our when I work on the car tomorrow(its across town).

Its not a filter for dirt, its actually an airflow resistor. If too much vacuum pressure is used it can damage the inside of the coil. I heard the pressure can sometimes cause the coil to fall apart from the inside. And NAPA said you must get one from GM. And the local dealership wanted almost 90$, and most people selling that wanted more than what i thought they were worth used, luckily I found mine.

 

keep the pics coming..

im in the final stages of my LTCC conversion.. i figured out a way to mount the coils to the factory LT1 valve covers without using any brackets. The newer version of the LTCC and its harness is very nice.

Ill post pics in a few days on my old conversion thread with a "How to" including making the spark plug wires and how to mount coils.

 

Yeah Killjoy you should do that, if this new opti fails im going strait to LTCC. New2's kit looks really nice too. Cant wait to see pix!

 

Id skip the LTCC and go strait for the 24x EFIconnection conversion and run LS1 coils. THe LS1 PCMs are badass

 

Why Pocket?

 

U never suggested this to me.

 

i would... but .. 2 things..

Im not making huge HP # or using a turbo or super charger to warrant the extra tuning capabilities that the LS1 PCM offers.

and 2.. the cost... and then ripping apart my front part of the engine + wiring that huge mess..

the LTCC cost was $399 + cost of LSx coils and spark plug wires..

the 24x system, i priced out.. was $1800... of which all im personally gaining is extra tuning capabilities but not using the LS1 PCM to the max.. which in my case.. doesnt warrant the cost..

 

That's why I went with the LTCC too..,,less $$$

 

With the price of the EFIconnections and LS1 coils, I guess I should have just swapped in an LS series motor, lol.

Im just going to run the opti for now, until it goes out I guess anyway. The price of LTCC is just a shade more than the GM opti so its not even worth replacing it. Exactly how much wiring is required for that?

 

for the 24x? total repin of the PCM 4 connectors... and you're right.. if you want the 24x.. might as well have the engine to go with it for a little more.. Ive spent multiple hours over on LS1tech and other sites going over the advantages of the 24x system.. and its disadvantages.. and really you only need it if you have a wild LT1 or GEN I engine combo like a crazy turbo system or racing engine...

its really not needed for street cars that see weekly usage because street cars are just that..

 

If I were to do that it wouldnt for performance, more as eliminating the optispark. Since I havent driven the car yet im not sure how the opti is. they claimed its a BRAND NEW GM opti. So I hope siting in a garage for a year hasn't caused condinsation so I dont have to worry about it.

But for real, why put it below the waterpump? Guess they should have thought that one out alittle better

 

I have a GM opti as well... here is a tip to make it last forever... unscrew the cap.. get some black silicone from Permatex... seal that sucker up..

on a side note.. i just posted pics of my LTCC mounted to the valve covers.. i only have 1 side done...

its in my https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...ap-92-b4c.html thread... but if some of you guys want to see it here..



close up


Mounted directly to the valve covers.. no fancy $200 relocation kits or welding or modified valve covers.. only spent $15 on mounting supplies.

 

Very well done sir

 

KillJoy that looks great! Nice and simple.

I notice that you put the head of the bolts inside the valve covers. Cool.

I would be going the same route had I decided to stick with my center bolt valve covers. Getting the nice polished aftermarket ones complicated things for me, as I want them to show, ya know. I fear messing with them.

Those coils don't look like the LS1 coils I have. Weird.

Anyway, I also fear I need more clearance with the larger cam that's over .600" lift, and 1.6 rockers and such, but I am not sure. At least, with the tall valve covers, I'll feel better.

Initially, I was thinking, "what the heck is that hose going down the side of the engine?" Then, I realized it was just air tubes on your headers. There are no emissions laws here in Wyoming. It's a beautiful thing

 

New2, I saw a thread somewhere where this guy mounted his coils down by his A-arms if your worried about the valve cover clearance. Itd be a shame though, those brackets look like they would be nice!

 

Yeah I want to mount them over the valve covers and want my plug wires to show a certain way too.

I want the installation to look like it was meant to be, from the factory.

 

looking good man!!! almost there.. my ta is still on the back burner for now seeing that i got stationed in freaking KOREA!!!! man i was pissed when they told me that... but its ok i bought an 06 gto 6spd ls2 on my leave before i came.. so now i have a nice car to drive while i finish up my lt1 swap in my trans am..

 

awesome man, and thats a nice GTO! cant wait to see the next update on your swap.

Went to the JY and got a throttle cable from a V6 camaro, so well see how it fits

 

Any updates for us man??? I won't have any on mine any time soon but I will be doing a cam and full exhaust swap on the GTO when I get home!

 

What he said.

I need some motivation to work on my 86 again. So far all my time has gone into my new Daily Driver (00 GTP) and the only thing I have done to the 86 was removing the control arms..

 

Sorry guys but theres not much to report at the moment, it sucks to be so close to firing up and being held up by such simple things. Yesterday was the first time ive touched the car in about a month

Installed the throttle cable(out of a 95 camaro with a V6) it appears alittle long, but will work for now. Also put my hood back on just to get it out of the way, but it feels so good to have the yellow stripes back on

Ill post some teaser pics to up your motivation, I could use some too. After a tune and fluids, ill fire this bast**d up!!

 

Just picture u doing a big smokey burn out with open headers that should be all the motivation u need! Not get this darn thing finished man!!! I went to basic training/ ait a d all the way to Korea and ur still working on her !

 

Well alot of things happened this summer. Moved a few times, bought a new truck, etc. and the funds just werent there at the time. And im probably moving again to Chicago in a few months. So as sad as this sounds, my cars just not my top priority right now. Trust me my friend I have dreams about the open road with my Camaro with the windows down.

Just taking whatever spare money I have, and slowly checking things off the list. Honestly I think the best part of all of it is those late nights in the garage instead of driving it. I dont know what ill do when its all done, lol. But when its all said and done I know it will be done right.

By the way Kris I love that GTO

 

thats what i thought too, but there is always more to do.. its never done.. now that my drivetrain is solid.. i turned to the interior.. going all black from gray... doing all autometer phantom gauges instead of stock cluster.. then changing the RS wing to the hi-rise, repainting the car in Satin Olive Drab