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LTX and LSXPutting LT1s, LS1s, and their variants into Third Gens is becoming more popular. This board is for those who are doing and have done the swaps so they can discuss all of their technical aspects including repairs, swap info, and performance upgrades.
Hi guys
i have a 89 firebird 305 T5 trans. Have a lt1 out of a 95 camaro with harness cpu etc ....
wondering if anyone has any tips or suggestions to make the swap go smooth
It's been done many times so there is a lot of info here. The engine itself will bolt in with no problem using the existing motor mounts. Wiring will always be the most important part but there is a lot of stuff online to help merge the engine harness with the body harness. You'll need to get the LT1 specific flywheel and clutch kit but everything else will work, assuming the T5 is staying the car. The LT1 heads use a D-port exhaust shape so LT specific manifolds would be best. I ran generic SBC summit headers on my LT1 for years and never had a problem, but the 3rd gen camaros are a bit tighter than the 2nd gen so full length headers are probably not an option. You may also want to look at running an aftermarket radiator or finding a 4th gen radiator. Many people have ran the stock 3rd gen radiator but the ports are not quite where they need to be so it could cause overheating since the suction hose is in a different spot on the LT1 water pump than on a standard SBC pump.
I'm in the same spot as you OP. From everything I've read, it's a drop in operation. Wiring is what throws some people off. Pocket has a how to for the harness that is pretty good. My understanding is you don't have to take the harness down completely but just depin what you're not using. Obviously this will limit where you can put the PCM. Having the underhood fuse box from the donor car will save some headache as well. I hope to be putting money in over the next few weeks. Gotta clean it up, reseal, throwing in a Comp cam 503 then throw it in. Not gonna worry
about AC since that's another battle.
For the most part the stock LT1 harness is stand-alone'ish.
On my harness I basically fed it power, ground, starter, and fuel pump relay. Everything else was mostly gauges for the C100.
Long Tube headers fit, just need Thirdgen SBC headers. I have the Hooker 2210LT's on mine and the process for them on an LT1 is the same as any SBC in a Thirdgen.
For the most part the stock LT1 harness is stand-alone'ish.
On my harness I basically fed it power, ground, starter, and fuel pump relay. Everything else was mostly gauges for the C100.
Long Tube headers fit, just need Thirdgen SBC headers. I have the Hooker 2210LT's on mine and the process for them on an LT1 is the same as any SBC in a Thirdgen.
Agreed...I wish I had left mine stand alone,it makes the swap easier.
Third gen sbc headers will work fine.
Your 305 flywheel and clutch will work as long as you are keeping the T5,the only time you need the Lt1 specific flywheel and clutch is if you are using an Lt1 style T56 trans.
