I have an LT1/4L60E from a '95 Z28. I was wanting to convert the operating system to OBD 2. I just purchased a timing cover for '96 LT1 (computer is next) but I want to know what all is needed to make the conversion.
By the way, this is going in my '87 Monte Carlo SS...I figured more members here on Third Gen. had delt with LT1 swaps.
Thanks Guys!

 

Stick with OBD I if you plan on tuning it yourself. OBD II isn't as effective of a tuning system for the LT1 as it is for the LS platform.

 

Interesting. Why is that? You would figure that OBD 2 has more to offer in the way of computing power and allowing one to dial in closer and make changes more efficiently.

 

Well OBD2 is a lot more of a complex setup, and throws a lot more codes. So if you plan on modding I would stay OBD1

 

As far as modding is concerned, who would you send your ECM to? Is this something I can do on my own? What software do you reccomend and from whom?

 

You can tune it by yourself with either an HPTuner or you can send it to www.lt1pcmtunning.com . That's where I'm going to send mine, their prices are good and I've heard pretty good things about them. They even rent labtop cables if you wanted to get tuning software you can do it that way.

 

Thanks, I'll check them out. I wanted to kow if you have a stock LT1 or have you done mods?

 

Its pretty much stock. Shaved valves, heads decked, and full exhaust.

 

i stayed with OBDII.. not sure why poeple say its worse.. i used Themadtuner.com for my tune and its fantastic, even with my cam on 110*.

the OBDII platform is fine, you run 2 O2 sensors, meaning tuning is a bit more accurate since one is in each bank rather than 1 sensor..

most people only say stick with OBDI because they tune themseleves and tuning suites are much cheaper to buy, such as TunerCATRT or PRO.. not a lot of people buy the $600 tuning suites for OBDII LT1's thus less people use it.

 

Can you send the link to "Themadtuner.com" I can't seem to find any info on him, and the website won't work or something

 

So, what all is needed to convert to an OBD 2 operating system? I know you need the timing cover, ECM, cam and crank sensor. What else is needed?

 

I think you just have to swap the cam sensor, not the cam itself

 

sorry, drop of "the"..

http://madtuner.com/

he has been tuning for a long time, very reputable over on LTXtech and LS1tech.. prices are amoung the best.. quick turn around times, very nice to deal with.

 

the timing cover is different from 94-95 to 96-97 OBDII, so is the Opti-connector to the harness.. PM "Pocket" if you need more info, he actually converted my harness and and is a wealth of info on the subject.

 

I've also been interested in converting to an LS system via LTCC or EFI Connection. There's a hefty $1500 difference in price though.

I'd like to know the pro's and cons to either set up.

 

Pros: you never have to buy another opti again

Cons: your out a nice chunk of change

 

1500 for ltcc??? The ltcc kit is 399 shipped
I bought used coils for $120 shipped with wiring harness,
45 on msd plug wires(it's a make your own wire kit)
10 on LS style boots,
and 15 on mounting hardware

So about $590 total for the complete conversion, and that's rounding up with shipping. Where are you coming up with $990 more than that?

The EFI 24x conversion is going to cost a lot more than $1500. That's just the wiring kit you need, that doesn't include coils or wires, or a tune. Over on ls1tech.com in the LT1 section, the price I see being mentioned to convert the LT1's is in the 2200-2500$ range

 

Yes and no, if you go LTCC you still need a good functioning opti but it's only use is the optical sensor, no electrical charge is running in it, so rotor issue (flying apart causing opti failure) is gone. If the optical sensor craps out, you need a new opti. You can remove the rotor inside, and seal up the opti with rtv to help maintain its life

The EFI connections 24x deletes the opti completely

 

The price difference between the LTCC and EFI Connection conversions is about $1500. Do you have to make any changes to the computer if you use the LTCC set up?

 

Nope. No changes to the PCM, it's plug and play

 

Been a modded OBDII owner for 8+ years and could not be happier! I now have the Ls1 pcm conversion for my Z CANNOT go wrong with WWW.eficonnection.com
Since many tuners have turned away from older style pcm tunes for obvious reasons you can stay in tune with the Ls1 pcm, it reads and processes way faster and getting a dyno tune is much easier......

 

So what did you spend in all on your conversion, 92droptopws6?

 

The Lt1 to Ls1 conversion was 860.00 I re-pinned my stock harness and used that kit along with the reluctor, cam sensor,crank sensor from efi connection and I got the coils land coil harness from a salvage silverado the pcm came from an 02 z28...... my cash outlay is 860.00 for this round of mods........ worth every penny too

 

In a few more days I am pulling my Lt1 out to freshen her up, do a mild cam/heads set up and put it in my TA.

 

I take it this was the upgrade you did on your '96 OBD 2 LT1?

 

Yes indeed and now its coming out of my camaro to get my TA going its 6.0 time for the camaro...

 

What mods are you planning on doing?

 

Cam, heads is all she is getting....
in my camaro pictured just bolt ons,tune and 4.10s with 315/35/17 she 60' 1.9,12.98@106 all at 3000'+ DA on 150 shot best pass was 11.33 and 11.39 both at 118

 

Nice! Those are some pretty impressive numbers. I however, am wanting to build a daily driver with about 350 hp at the crank.

 

Properly tuned Lt1s have 350 at the flywheel. My car dyno'd 320rear 336tq..... all my buddies that I have done work for run about the same.

 

That's interesting, I had no idea. The stock camaro figures for that year is quite different. Although that was through a restrictive exhaust and no special tune. I want to mod the heads with 2" in/1.6" ex valves, porting and polishing. 1.6roller rockers. Was also thinking of using Comp Cam's 218/224 @50 114 LSA cam. Still haven't ruled out GMPP LT4 Hot cam.

 

My numbers look like that due to me being a 6speed, an auto will be right at 300+-
If you don't mind me asking, why limit yourself with a cam like the hotcam there are a bunch of better profiles out that will out perform it in many ways? I see you are in El Paso over in RedOak by Dallas is Lloyd Elliot he will Dr. Your heads up and custom spec you a cam to give you exactly what you are looking for. WWW.elliotsportworks.com
I will be sending another set of heads to do his LE2 work to along with the cam I am using and 1.6 rockers I am confident it will run pretty hard bad part is it will be an automatic this time......
Similar set up with my buddy's 97z just ran 12.77
Small cam
Full bolt on
Tune ( WWW.madtuner.com)
3600 stall
3.42 gears
M/T dragradials
Longtube 1 3/4
Magnaflow cat back
1.6 Dr
52 mm throttle body

He has been getting some knock retard since the header is hitting the floor on launch and second gear..

 

Funny that you mention Lloyd, because I spoke to him Tuesday. He's a real nice guy with lots of info to offer. I haven't ruled out any possibility yet, as I am still in my research phase. I think I researched a full year before finally deciding on what to do with the engine/tranny on my '77 Trans Am. I couldn't be happier with the end result! So I learned to do my homework and save,save,save $. Lol!

 

Lloyd is like a family member.........
I know what you mean, I spent a bunch to convert to Ls pcm just to Yank the car apart to go Ls power... fortunately I cam across a '93 TA so I did not waste too much if any.
It will of course cost me about 5000 to convert and freshen up but its the hobby.

 

The "Hobby" is what has my fiance worried!

 

She does like riding in them though, even the money pit (aka. Trans Am)! Lol!

 

Your habit could be a lot worse!
We both are pretty lucky to have the females we do.... Mine is all about getting it done, money is money and when we can do car mods we do......she has a '97 z28 and it needs love............

 

92droptop...I sent you a PM. Did you receive it?

 

Did not receive any PMs as of yet

 

Ok, let's try again! Lol...just sent a PM.

 

Another PM sent.

 

I've been looking into all the components of the EFI Connection package. It turns out that the regular OBD-I crank hub won't work...you need an OBD-II style and 24x reluctor wheel. I've looked on eBay for these parts and they are quite expensive.

If you have an OBD-II ignition system, you need less of the EFI Connection package. Right? Can I get used parts from an '96,'97 F body or '96 Vette. Am I better off just getting everything new?

 

OBD1 on an 4thgen is still 2 Oxygen sensors, one per bank. OBD2 is 4 Oxygen sensors. 2 upstream, 2 downstream. Most shut the code off for the rear O2's and run the upstream ones alone.

 

Guys all you have to do is place a want add on these sites
WWW.ls1tech.com
WWW.camaroz28.com
WWW.ltxtech.com
There are also some decent sales on eBay at times.... hope this helps