I have a 89 Iroc-z with the 305 TBI (LO3) engine. It is an auto and has the open rear end (2.73) in it.
If I had a complete Lt-1 with all pulleys, A/C compressor, alternator, starter, fuel injection, harness, ECM and even engine mounts, what else will I need besides fuel pump and new fuel lines to put this in my car?
I am tired of that 305 and I want something fuel efficient but powerful.

Thanks,
Michael

 

The LT1 would have to be a '93 LT1 other wise you'll need to find a '93 ECM. That's because the '93 still used the 700-r4 as the auto tranny and the ECM controls the Lock-up of the torque convertor. '94 -'97 LT1 ECM's used the 4L60E tranny which was computer controlled entirely. But If you have a complete LT1 with a '93 ECM and harness you can drop the engine right in. You'd need an adaptor for the tach and speedo maybe, that i'm unsure of.

 

Yup the 93 ECU and wiring is the best way to go on a short budget. It will allow you to still retain your original trans as stated.

Checkout my site http://350.streetracing.org and look at the LT1 Swap section. You can see Eric's 93 LT1 swap into his 85 Z28 and a few others too. BTW Eric did a killer job writing the FAQ found on my site.

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My car is the perfect women. She's braless, won't talk back and loves a good beating.
1989 Camaro RS L03 w/ WC T-5
http://350.StreetRacing.org
ICQ: 61342629 AOL IM: BlackSunshineZ28

 

Forgot to say it was out of a 96. So, all I will need is a 93 stock ECM (or would an aftermarket work better if I describe what I'm doing?) and maybe speedo and tach adaptor.
Well if thats all I need, I forsee a LT-1 in my ride SOON!!!

Thanks a million,
Michael

 

Well, you can also get DFI. It's more expensive but it works really well! Ya know, since you'll be changing the computer anyway. If you're going to be using the LT1, there are three good things to do to create MOUNDS of HP. #1 get a good cam, something like a cc306 cam. #2 port the heads at least. #3 port the intake. Bingo, you now have a low 12 second car (depending on gearing as well). The LT1 is a GREAT budget engine. Good Luck!

 

Oh BTW, You can use headers with the LT1 contrary to what people say. SLP works great! And also, you can keep your stock fuel lines, you might just want to upgrade your fuel pump (since you might as well change it anyway if it's your stock one). Hope this all helps!

 

Yup it's true about the headers. I never updated that part of page 1's FAQ out of respect for the writer. However if you checkout page two you'll see someone used SLP 3rdgen headers with the LT1.

 

Just be sure the headers arent blocking the exhaust port on the heads anywhere, and hurt the flow. Since the LT1 heads have D shaped ports, it could be a concern.

 

Ok...note to self...get SLP headers, new cam, port heads, port intake, Borla 3" catback, fuel pump, and 93 ecm.
Anybody want to donate some cash to the needy school boy?

No really, thanks for all the suggestion and stuff, I think I'm going to get the LT-1 since you guys say its not that hard to transplant.

Thanks again,
Michael

 

Hey, that was me that used the SLP headers! Cool. Yes, they worked fine except that my particular set of headers is faulty. That is the #4,6 center section of tubing starts to angle away from the block towards the back of the #6 side. This lead to several gasket changes. I have now filed them even and will see how it goes once I get the rebuilt engine back from Palmer.

Yes, if you want to use your 700r4 then get a '93 LT1 since they still didn't use any computer controls for the tranny. This is actually good because it is much less axpensive and there are better parts available for the non-computer 700r4. Not to mention it responds better to engine changes than the electric 4L60E (which I have). But once mine goes I think I will swap down to the 700r4 or possibly a th350.

You can keep your stock fuel lines up to the engine bay - from there you'll need some custom fittings to adapt to the LT1 fuel rail. While you're doing it go ahead and splurge on an AFPR.

If you want a really smooth installation call my wiring guy, Marcus. He does LT1 and LS1 swaps as a business in texas. He can answer any and every question you can come up with. He was a LOT of help when I did my swap.

But I 'believe' that if you go for the '93 LT1 the most you might need to do is get a custom chip since the '93s were still batch fire. I went with a '94 and have had to basically rewire the engine bay and everything to the gauges. But it all works correctly.

So like I said, if you have any more specific questions e-mail me, post here, or drop my name to Marcus at 1-956-287-8582.

There are bound to be some hang-ups in the swap. I don't remember anymore if I needed to or not but I went ahead and swapped a walbro 255 litre/hr fuel pump when I put the LT1 in. I 'think' the LO3 pump is sufficient but I'd check with marcus.

Good luck and have fun. Once I finished my swap I had a ball.....so much fun in fact that I went ahead and blew the motor - but that's another story



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1991 RS LT1
every imaginable bolt-on, and an all-forged 355 on the way with an ATI following in '01

2000 C5 Coupe
black/black 6-spd, optional polished rims, 'mostly' stock....

"So what DOES the back of a Mustang look like?"

 

My bad, I forgot it was you, Brett. Hows the LT1 383 coming? Take anymore pictures I can add to my site yet?

 

hahaha, yeah that LO3 pump will sure be up to the job.
C'mon guys..TBI = low pressure, MPFI (LT1, TPI) = high pressure.
You cannot use the stock pump.
Also, if these guys can make this simple glaring mistake, i wouldn't take their word for it on using the 93 ECM. They're right about it not controlling the tranny (except TCC), but there's no guarantee that a 96 optispark works exactly like it did in 93. I'm not saying it doesn't, but look into this yourself.
Also, it might be cheaper and easier to just reprogram the 96 ECM to ignore the tranny controls. The 96 ECM is better anyway, it will be sequential rather than batch fire, and MAF rather than SD. More accurate, better fueling, more power.
...ed

 

I'm currently swapping my LO3/700r4 out of my 92 RS for a 97 LTI/T56 combo. I'm using a 95 computer. I sent my wiring off to Fuel Injection Specialties in San Antonio, Tx. They are modifying my existing 92 harness and marrying it with the 97 LT1 harness. It is the way they suggested and hopefully everything will work out good. Just thought I would pass that on to you if you were trying to figure out if you HAD to use a 93 ecm or not.

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'92 RS convertible with 305/700r4, slp headers, 3" high flow cat, 3" flowmaster w/2.5" outlets/hypertech chip, k&n open element, "modified" eibach springs, kyb shocks&struts, and polygraphite bushings.

 

fredo92.. Do you have a Phone # for the place you sent your harnesses to?
I would like to call them and see if that is what I need to do.
Also, (if you don't mind) how much is that going to cost you?

Brett.. I plan on calling Marcus and ask him a few Qs. Thanks for the info!

Thanks,
Michael

 

Yeah man, I forgot to put their number in my previous post. Fuel Injection Specialties' number is 256-543-7165. They told me that the harness would cost in the neighborhood of $395 (depending on if they had to do anything to get the speedo to work or not, and the computer would cost $250 to get it reprogrammed and have the performance mods done to it at the same time. It didn't seem like a bad deal to me. I had called a couple of other places that were in the same neighborhood on prices, and I chose F.I.S. because they were in Texas and that they came recommended by a few people I talked to about it.

 

Michael: I e-mailed you man. I'm sorry but I don't check that e-mail account very much anymore...so when I did I wrote to you immediately. I changed it and it's now eric_anderson99@hotmail.com Write me there if you have any more questions.

Get Blown?: I'm gonna e-mail you here in a few days when I get some more time and after I revamp that write-up. Like that exhaust thing for example. I'm actually about to purchase some 1 3/4" SLP headers. The 3rd gen ones will fit my car/frame(obviously) and the headers are large enough to fit over the ports of the LT1 (and soon to be LT4 in a month or two). They're expensive as hell, but they're well worth it. I haven't been able to find any other manufactuerer that makes headers that'd work for this application. I'll drop you a line here sometime in the near future. Later...

Eric

 

Sounds good Eric.

 

Are the motor mounts in the same location?

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87 IROC-Z 305 TPI gears, exhaust, converter
14.70 at 94.1 mph with 1.90 60'

 

Yes the LT1 uses standard SBC motor mounts.

 

Also, where can I get a tac and speedo adapter to mate with a 93 harness and PCM? Would Fuel Injection Specialties' have them? Thanks.

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87 IROC-Z 305 TPI gears, exhaust, converter
14.70 at 94.1 mph with 1.90 60'

 

I believe they do. I called them and asked all the Q's a couple weeks ago and from what I remember they said they would include the adaptors.