how hard would it be to convert a 97 lt1 into a non electonics engine? i know i would have to put a different manifold and carb on it, but what about the optispark and water pump?

 

that would sorta defeat the purpose of keeping an LT1 wouldnt it? You'd lose all that new-tech power / gas mileage... and in the end you'd be best off spending the same amount on a gen 1 350 SB, and getting more power from it. There's no "magic" imbued into an LT1... reverse flow coolant.... block... might make it lighter in the car though with all that extra money you're putting into LT1 parts that you could get for a hundred less for the same quality of Gen 1 SBC

 

I exchanged some PMs with one of the guys here who's using the GMPP LT1 carb intake with an HEI. He said he liked it.
I'll try to find a link tomorrow. There's a thunderstorm right now and the lights are doing funny things so I'm gonna have to log off, but I'll look into that later.

f-crazy is the man to talk to about that