hi, new to the forum. I have a 96 lt1 I acquired a while back for a fun project, but recently the vortec in my 99 suburban took a dump, cam, crank and rod journals are all roached ( the oil pump failed at 141k) so the main questions I have are.

1. The Trans in my 99 suburban is a 4l60e 4x4 will the stock LT1 ecm run it like a 2wd?

2. Can I do a simple delete on the pump crap on this thing?

I plan on having my good friend the legendary Danny Popp (old co-worker) do a tune. I am quite capable of this as I am a 12 year ASE cert master tech ( specialize in diesel) I have done multiple cummins and dura max swaps but this lt stuff is not in my area of expertise. I will leave all the stock ecm and bcm in and tap in to the lt ecm for the cluster and run a diag port for my scanner. Any info on if this ecm will run my 4x4 trans would be appreciated. Thanks

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

This site is limited to 3rd generation GM f-bodies (1982-1992 Camaro and Firebird). Since many members swap an LT1 into their 3rd gens, and many donor transmissions are from trucks, I'll allow this post to remain open. However, if the discussion strays from what can be applied to a swap into a 3rd gen, I'll have no choice but to close it.

 

Your best bet is to 0411 swap your Suburban and convert the LT1 to coil per cylinder using the EFI connection 24x LTx stuff. Then you can operate your LT1 and 4L60E using a modified 2002 5.3/4L60E calibration. I cannot think of anything but benefits here. You are able to retain OBDII for the Suburban. You get a much better PCM out of the deal and added reliability of coil per cylinder. LT1 Optispark is HORRIBLE in my experience. Emissions air pump is a relatively simple delete.

The far easier thing to do would be yank the rotating assembly and cam from the LT1 then install it in the vortec block after having the block cleaned/honed/freeze plugs and cam bearings installed. LT1 cammed L31 vortec runs pretty dang strong even in the 99 C1500 Suburban I had.

 

Thanks for the input. This is my towing rig for my 3rd gen with an lq4. I did some initial research and found that the ohms on the lt injectors are the same as the vortec, then I started to run wiring from the factory harness and drilled the distributor hole in the rear of the intake. Deleated the opti junk and put a 97 timing cover on to run the crank sensor and.... Well it worked. It runs and drives like it should and with the torque curve of the cast iron head fleetwood motor it will be very good for towing, I have since towed my 3rd gen to the track and ran 11.79 on the second pass and 11.92 on the first. Thanks for the go again.

 

They almost have the same heads/cam as the Vortec but have a much better intake and higher compression ratio. I am sure it makes a great tow rig. Even the factory LT4 cam worked great for me.