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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.
Hey guys, did a little searching, wasn't quite finding what I needed, in the mists of a carb LS1 swap in my 84 z28, have all the stock gauges and want them to work with this engine combo, what have you guys done to resolve the issue? Adapt the stock SBC sensors to LS block or put resistors in with the LS sensors? Cable speedo? Seen converter boxes, are they worth anything or do they suck? T56 car and was a l69 t5 car from the factory, thanks in advance.
I'm still trying to figure out what to do with the oil pressure gauge. I did some searching. I remember one user reporting that the LS sensor will work with the stock gauge of our cars. Someone else mentioned an adapter to connect 3rd gen oil pressure sensor to LS engine.
fbodyfreakls1 - Is the silver Z28 in your avatar a picture of your car? If so, you have a rare one. My dad had a 1984 silver Z28. He special ordered the car with that color and a stick shift through a dealer. I loved that car, and I got to drive it once a week in high school. Unfortunately, I misjudged a turn. A minor accident turned into a catastrophic loss of the entire car. That was almost 30 years ago, and I'm currently restoring a 1984 anniversary Trans Am. I searched and searched for a silver '84 Z28 with a stick shift, but I couldn't find one. It's probably best that I went the Trans Am route. Watching my dad's car burn to the ground was traumatizing enough. Recreating the exact same car could be psychologically unhealthy. Check out my build thread.
Thanks guys for the replies, I too saw the stock oil sender was reported to work, didn't know you could cable convert I will definitely be getting that done, and yes the silver 84 is my car, I have a smc for it too, bought it, the car how you see it in that picture from a member here. Love the car and it's in pieces now, I'll try and link a video, will be finishing the metal work this weekend coming. Had a brown 84 z28 in high school, L69 t5 cars as well but was a t-top car and this one is a coupe. Pry for the better since the LS1 I'm building would make over 500 wheel and then getting hit with a 300 wet shot out of a puck system. Here is a recent picture but it looks slot different now.
Looks like you're doing a complete restoration. I'll look for your progress updates. Also, Hawk's Third Gen sells a coolant sensor for an 82-92 lsx conversion.
have all the stock gauges and want them to work with this engine combo, what have you guys done to resolve the issue?
* The LS1 oil pressure sender will operate the stock gage if that is easier for you.
* A '98 LS1 Camaro/Firebird coolant temp sender will operate the stock gage. Wire to the top pin (there are 3 in a triangle).
* I kind of doubt your stock tach can respond fast enough to be useful with your engine. My '89 Firebird tach is fine around town but gets about 700 rpm behind at the drag strip and I have no clue when to shift.
You often need to use a "step-up" circuit in the PCM output to drive a stock tach (I had to with an Autometer tach in the '57). Basically you tie a switched 12v source with a resistor to the tach input.
The stock 3rd gen tach is 8 cylinder, while the stock LS PCM setting is for a 4 cylinder output. You can change the PCM setting to a 3 (stock setting is 6: with a 24-tooth crank sensor, 24/6 = 4; 24/3=8 - weird, but it works).
That's good info. I'll buy an ls1 oil pressure sender. I'm using an E38 ECM. I read here that the ECM doesn't necessarily need oil pressure info to run the engine: http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...ssure-run.html
That's good, because I need to match the sensor to the 1984 stock gauge. Also, I've read that the E38 tach signal will run the stock tachometer. I hope that's correct as the E38 doesn't provide other gauge info or A/C control like the 411 does.
Five7kid that's good info to know but I'm going to be carb and running no ecu of any kind. I'll pry have to talk with Daytona sensors about my tach issue since I'm going to be running there box in the car. I know I'm going to mount a shift light in the eat duct above radio but I really want my stock tach to work somehow so we will see how that goes, good I hope lol
Cable speedo? Seen converter boxes, are they worth anything or do they suck?
When I did my swap, I had nothing but issues with mine. It ended up being a complete waste of over $300!
I haven't heard a lot of other bad reviews about it though, so take my experience for what its worth. According to some friends on the miata forum: if you get the cable in the exact right position it wont have issues... however the planets never did align for mine.
At first, I was disappointed that dakota didn't make one for the firebirds. But I'm glad that I found solutions for the stock gauges. It keeps the experience of driving an old car.
I was going to say Dakota digital. I was browsing for different routes to go, and it's expensive but I bet when you get to the nitty gritty of getting a factory carb car and have a ls1 pcm it is easiest to do Dakota digital and probably not more expensive.
That Dakota digital is nice looking! I'm way to into the stock gauges, especially since I took the time to hunt down a "z28" 140 speedo. If I hadn't found one I woulda definitely gone that route!
