I plan on doing the conversion from my 2.8 to a 350 out of a 94 to 97 camaro or firebird. But I need to tie up a few loose ends before I pull the trigger on the swap. I want to keep a 700r4 so I need to get a 87 to 92 v8 camaro or firebird correct? Will the torque converter work from the thirdgen to the lt engine? Also what motor mounts do I need? I'm not using the as so I'm getting an ac delete box so I need to get an ac delete pully correct? Also I want to use all the lts accessory so Know I'm going to need new power steering lines right? Can I just go to autozone and order 94 camaro lt presser and return lines and have them modified for my camaro? What all am I going to need to change or replace when I do this swap? I know I need to kmember side motor mounts, new tranny, wire harness, computer, new ps lines, new radiator and hoses. But what else is needed? Someone told me that if I cut out the ac system I could use my front v6 springs because of th weight lose from the ac delete, is this true?

 

Also what do I need to do about my fuel and heater lines? I just installed a new fuel pump on my car so can I use that for the lt aswell? Thank you again guys

 

It's all in the stickies!

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...swap-read.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...questions.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...1-lt1-tpi.html

 

Iv read all the sticks and still didn't find an answer to my questions the v6 to v8 Sticky doesn't go into enough detail or explain all the questions I asked.

 

Not sure about the torque converter/tranny question, but I would figure to use an lt1 flexplate with a 700r4 torque converter, but dont quote me.

Use stock third gen replacement upper and lower motor mounts for 82-92 camaro/firebird with a factory v8. The upper mounts will bolt right onto the LT1, the threaded bosses are already there. Install the v8 mounts on the k-member in the v8 (Forward) location.

You'll probably need a TPI fuel pump, or buy a Walbro 255 pump for the Lt1. I am not sure what the psi or gph of the 2.8 fuel pump is.

To delete the AC, just use an LT1 delete pulley in place of the compressor.

To hook up the power steering, the return line doesnt have to be anything special, just buy it by the foot and use worm gear clamps to secure it to the resevoir/gear box. Buy a high pressure power steering line for a caprice, and bend the metal lines to fit the third gen. The threaded ends for the caprice line match the F-body pump, and the third gen steering box.

As far as the radiator goes, you may want to look into getting a fourth gen unit, which requires cutting a small nub off of the bottom to get it to sit fluch on the lower radiator pad, but thats no big deal. At that point you can just use the fourth gen radiator hoses, and the upper hose has a location where you can tap into the steam line if need be. Hook up the heater hoses straight from the locations on the LT1 pump to the third gen heater core, or through a heater bypass valve if you so prefer.

Any more Q's, just let me know.

 

Don't keep the stock converter.... its bad...

 

So I need the stock flexplate for the lt and the third gen or fourth gen torque converter? Will the 700r4 be able to work?

 

Lt1s used the 700r4, they just changed the named, and I 94 came out with one more computer controlled. So exactly the same, but f body converters stall at 1300... slow...

 

The only thing I am not 100% on is the transmission.

 

So since I'm keeping the 94s computer and harness should I use the transmission too or is it more of a headache than its worth?

 

It would most likely be easier if you used the 4l60e transmission that came with the 94, that way it would all already be set up with the proper sensors, flexplate, converter, etc.. I think in 93 they still used a 700r4 transmission for the lt1, but soon after that they started using the 4l60e, those 2 transmissions are very similar in design, except the 60 is a much better choice if you're going lt1, considering you will have the proper computer control for it allready.

 

use the 4l60e like bradley said it is a 700r4 just computer controled and alittle better

sbc motor mounts will work and if you need I have a LT to thirdgen power steering line ill make you a good deal on it cost me 90 to have made

any sbc trans will bolt to a LT1

 

also LT1s are externally balanced so do not put another flexplate on unless its off of a lt1

 

When I did an LT1 swap, I ended up buying a high pressure power steering line for a Caprice with an LT1:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...mString=search

When I bought mine, it actually had a picture, and it wasnt special order. The alternative would be having some place make you a high pressure line and you give them the specs (Length, fitting size, etc..), though the caprice line is a bit cheaper, just has to be bent to the proper shape.

It'd probably be a good idea to take lunati up on that offer, it would be a no-hassle way of getting it to work.

 

i probably will take him up on it, im going to try and get the engine and everything after the first of the year, im getting it from a pic-a-part so im pulling everything myself. ill try and get the latest engine i can, 97 if possible with tranny and everything, but i have another question, since im using all the forth gen stuff, harness, engine, tranny, computer, do still have to have my harness modified? if so why? also im going to grab some dual fans to cool better than my single.

 

There is no getting around having to modify your harness to work with the fourth gen harness. The only way that I can think you not needing to do that is if you run 100% fourth gen harness and dashboard in your car, which is probably much much more work than its worth. It's really not all that hard of a job to do, it can just get tedius, frustrating, and time consuming.. lol. But, don't let that discourage you, once its all done, you should never have to mess with it again. I modified my own harness, and was elbow deep in wiring diagrams, guides, and papers. I ended up grabbing a notebook and writing down all the wires, their location, color, and what they did. I did that for both the 3rd and fourth gen harness, and spliced them together that way. If you don't think you can take on a job that big, than you could always PM Pocket, and have him modify them for you, and it would simply be plug and play.

Dual fans are nice, but you dont 'need' them, if you dont want them.

 

i actually pm'd pocket earlier this week about prices and he never replied back to me so idk about him, thinking about having my buddy do my harness since hes already done an lt1 swap on his car but hes expecting in january so pocket is my only hope lol, do i send him my v6 and the lt1 harness aswell? or what i never understood how that worked, also on the new tranny what am i going to do about the speedo? its cable driven lol. sorry about all the question guys im just trying to see where i stand in the swap and what i need someone else to do or what i can do myself. and i know dual fans arent needed but its a good idea since iv heard these cars run hot as is

 

I believe you send him the harness from your third gen, and the LT1 harness, and he will doo all the splicing/lengthening, etc..

I think I saw that someone on this forum can modify the electric sensor to a cable driven one, so that it would hook right up, or you could swap to electronic gauges, I'm not sure about that one..

 

im going to search more for that person to try and set something up so i can get my harness adjusted after i get it back from pocket to get it set up for a cable driven. i like the cable for some odd reason.

 

Incorrect.

 

are they internally balanced? also does anyone here know how much pocket normally charges to built an lt1 harness? he wont return my PMs

 

Also from what Iv read shorty headers fit better than long tubes correct? Which set of headers fit and work best with the lt1. I'm wanting a set that comes with the y pipe o maybe an x pipe. Will also ask about certain cams on here aswell. Just trying to fight out where I'm going. I'm also going with roller lifters. Haven't decided on stock or aftermarket yet

 

I am correct I learned the hard way I had a engine built and had it intenally balanced after I installed it I had to pull it and have the flywheel 0 balanced because they are externally balanced

LS motors are internally balanced

 

LT1's are internally balanced, just like all Gen I '86-up SBC's. The counterweight that was built into the 2-piece RMS crank external to the RMS was moved to the flexplate/flywheel of the 1-piece RMS engines, and the mounting flange was changed. That does NOT make them "external" balance. I don't care who says it does, it does not.

Externally balanced Gen I & II SBC's have a weighted damper. LT1's don't have a weighted damper. The presence of a weight on the flexplate/flywheel does not make the engine external balance.

You need a 1-piece RMS type flexplate/flywheel for an LT1. That is all you need to know.

If you had an 1-piece RMS crank internally balanced, that is a special case and should not be put forth as "normal".

 

Most people prefer shorty headers fitment over longtubes, and in that respect I would have to agree. I have tried twice to install longtubes and just got frustrated and left them for another day, but shorties go right in, it seems. Also if the engine is going to be basically stock, than shorties are plenty enough. Just get some that are made for third gens with an sbc, and if at all possible, try to get D-port's.

LT1's have factory roller lifters... Can I assume you mean roller rockers? Again, on a stock motor, that really isnt a pressing issue.

 

This engine not going to be stock lol. I want to get over 400hp when I'm done. Maybe alittle over . Im going to tear it apart, bore it .30 over, install an bigger stronger crank with a racing cam or atleast an aggressive cam, port and polish the heads and intake, high stall torque converter an rebuilding the tranny with a shift kit, corvette servos ect. I want as true as duals as I can get even if it means an x pipe. This is going to be a good 2-3 year project lol. All smog and ac will be removed aswell. I want a nice toy for the street. I'm goingto even run exhaust cutouts so I can have alittle fun

 

if you want over 400 and dont plan on spending then start with a LS1 or LM7 LQ4-9

I had hooker super comps and when it was just a LT1 I did the LT4 hotcam kit it replaces the stamped steel rockers with rollers and is a good street cam

with a spacer on the flywheel you can still use any kind of trans you want with the LS motors and 400 to 500 is alot easier to attain hell 500 on a LQ4 can be had for around 3k

 

over 400 isnt probably going to be me lol, iv dreamed of an lt since my aunt had her 96 camaro then my buddy swapped in his lt, i just love them and have a thing for them, idk what it is. i want to stay under 500 hp, 400-450 is going to be plenty for a dd lol. like i said i just want an engine i can have fun with, is going to be reliable, the exhaust cutouts are for the ricers and kids driving around in their mustangs or camaros that think they are the best and fastest around, just flip the switch and shut them up with a nice mean lope lol. i think ill be happy with 400. what kind of power do you think i would run with the engine mods i listed about, using the hotcam kit you just listed and some eldabrok shorty headers?

 

I had hooker long tube custom tune hot cam kit ram air electric water pump and i was around 360 then I got heads intake ect on and on about 10k and had a 383 lt4 and it dynoed 550 but was alot of money

get a truck LQ4 get l92 heads and show room stock cam and you will be close to 500 gm hightech got 505 with the carb setup

 

dont get me wrong LT1s are great motors but the LS series are the way to go they are far stronger and efficient

 

Don't keep the 700r4. Pickup the 4l60e that is year correct for the LT1. I planned the same but scrapped the idea and went with a 4l60e. If you insist on using a 700r4, yes it will bolt up.

You will need the delete pulley. Get a GM one, the one I got from Autozone Sucks monkey poop.

Any V8 Motor mounts work. I got regular rubber replacements for a 92 Z28.

As far as power steering lines, you can modify the return to fit by just running a longer hose to the power steering reservoir. I bought Z28ricer braided line for the feed but I have heard people using Caprice lines bent to fit.

All you need is to change the motor mounts and it should drop right in. I did not have to modify my transmission crossmember and its the one from the 86's old 700r4 that was mated to the 2.8.

You are better off getting a LT1 radiator/lines. Makes the swap alot easier. You will also need to use the fans of the LT1 or TPI fans.

I don't reccomend reusing the V6 springs. Pick up some new Moog 5662's.

Go with shorties unless you have the tools to make up a Y pipe for the longtubes. Most people have done ok with the swap with 1 5/8 headers. I see alot of people on a budget going with Hooker 2055's. I myself will be going with Dyno Don's shorties. If you insist on longtubes. Get Hedmans 68469's. I have a pair for sale if you are interested.


Its a plain and simple swap. Hardest part being the wiring. As far as modding goes, its all up in the air right now for you. So in the end it ends up with what you end up doing. I myself will be dropping in a CC503 in my LT1 very soon. I don't have wild goals for this setup. If I want to go crazy I will just part everything and start over in a LS engine.

 

already planned on getting most of the parts from the fourth gen, im gonna try and get a 97 if at all possible, so far on my list to get at the junkyard when i go is a: 97 lt1 350 aluminum heads, wireing harness, computer, transmission, radiator, hoses, dual fans, aluminum driveshaft if i can find one. after i get my money built back up im going back for the rearend out of a 4th gen, proably an 02 rearend posi.

 

and iv already planned on getting new springs all the way around, front and rear since iv already replaced my rear shocks like a month ago, im doing new struts and strut mounts in the spring, im going to order founders panhard and LCAs, maybe relocation brackets idk yet on those, shorty headers with the most free flowing exhuast i can get with electric exhaust cutouts.

 

well i looked into the lt4s and i must say that they look like a plesent upgrade from a stock lt1. seems like the heads are better along with the cam and rockers. eldabrok sells an lt4 kit with a more aggresive cam than a stock 96 corvette. so either im going to cut open a corvette for the lt4 internals or just order them

 

Good luck trying to find a LT4. Even more one under $1500.

Some friendly advice, stick with the LT1 and away from Edelbrock LT kits.

 

good thing about the junkyard im going too, ANY complete v8 is the same price, no matter what it is. i could go ls but i dont want to have to mod and end up with more headaches and i want an lt, i alsways have

 

I doubt they will have one if they do I will be there with a trailer ready to buy....

 

you dont want a 97 you want a 95

95 has the vented opti but is still obd1 and alot easier to tune and less sensors the 96/97 are obd2 and are a pain and require 4 o2 sensors alot of guys with 96/97 modify their harnesses and go back to the obd1 setup and 95 has the best of both worlds 94 under do not have the vented opti and are more prone to problems

I say go LS the optispark is the worst ignition system ever I went through 4 and warretied countless friends out the only solution is just a crutch too by getting the ltcc kit

 

im not doing the ECU or wireing harness, im going to have someone else do them. but ill see if i cant get a 95, aslong as i can get an lt1 ill be happy and that i actually have it finally is all that wil matter to me. but ill look for a 95