OMG guys !

I thought I had choosen an engine for my 1983. And finally, not at all !!!

I was supposed to order a new LS-1 from GM and a new 4L60E. with shipping here in Europe, ignition, electronics, you name it, it's a 7000 Euro deal. But hey, this is 345 brand new horses !

Now, here in France, I found a 1986 Corvette engine with matching transmission. The guy asks 2400 Euros for the package.
That may sound pricey for you, US guys, but here it's pretty cheap for a complete set-up, even used.

Also, I found a classified about a 1996 T/A parted. Engine and trans are available, and used. On the engine, a set of rusted iron headers. So I figure the car has been driven hard or left outside. That car is close to my home. I would just rent a truck to bring the parts. I wanna offer up to 3000 Euros for the engine/trans/electronic/gas tank with fuel pump package.

Of course, either the LT1 or L98 are cheaper than the LS1. Being used, I'd spend another grand in service/tuning/hot-rodding.

Now the question is : to save about 3500 Euros (5000 bucks) I'd be ready to downgrade to older engines. Compared with the great LS1, can they be as much powerful and driveable ?

Thank you !!!

 

You have to do work ( wiring , etc ) to fit any of them in your car regardless
Personally in you case , I would get the LT1 especially if you can get complete setup ; computer / harness/ etc as a drop in fit.
No need for special engine mount adapters as needed with LS; uses reg SBC headers and accessories, etc
More stock base power ( better heads ) than '86 L98 but still old skool engine ( cheap SBC parts anywhere in world, well supported in UK ).
LT1 Optispark ( ign ) is only problem area item .

Hot up parts readily available to make same / more power than the LS engine you are looking at and simpler electronics .
Easy to make 350Hp on LT1
Or
US$1200 360 - 400+ RWHP
http://www.elliottsportworks.com/lt1.html

Always good hot up parts for sale on this forum; cams / heads / etc

 

Thanks for reply !

I called the guy, and the price is lite

I made a list of items I would need, and they all seem on the car :

-Engine and trans
-wiring, computers, neimann
-Gas tank, fuel lines
-Power steering reservoir
-Brake master cylinder with booster
-Rear axle and driveshaft

Will all that fit on my 1983 ? I will drop a BMR tubular K-member to fix-up A/C troubles.

What about the steering rack ?

The guy says engine has 87 000 miles, which, I believe is not that much for a V8.

Yet, he never managed to start it. Electronics issues I guess.
Pre-1988 cars being Catalytic-free in France, I'd search for smog-free electronics.

Please help !

 

Highly unlikely most parts from '96 will fit your car, just upgrade / recond what you have ; cheaper than making parts fit
Only need return line and either in tank or inline EFI pump with your tank ( after clean out )

If you wanted to make it easier you could get a aftermarket LT1 engine harness that only does engine functions ( all you need ) without all the extra wiring of factory harness
They even make a intake manifold to run a carb on a LT1 ( no hassle swap )

Good LT1 swap info here
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...questions.html

and LT1 info here
http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=9
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-lsx/

 

Wow, do you mean the sterring rack will fit ?
I never heard about such an upgrade !

www.lt1swap.com semms to be good help.

Well, thanks to you, I choose. Go for the LT1 !

Engine and trans go for 1500 Euros. I'll offer 2800 for all the parts listed, plus pedal set-up.

Thanks for the help !

 

if u go used the ls2 6.0 out of the gto are cheaper than the ls1 when i was trying to find one i found a 6.0 with the 6 speed for 2400 usd and hawksthirdgenparts.com have lots of lsx conversion parts

 

Well... I'd have to change the oil pan.

Actually, I considered a LS5 but, not sure my T-top car will handle 405hp without a rollcage I d'ont wan't.

 

subframe connectors 199$ from hawks

 

For an LT1 swap, grab the radiator, fans, fan wiring harness and relay box if you can. Gas tank is a good idea for your '83 (unbaffled). Could use a tank from any port injected third gen including 6 cylinder cars. I don't think the 4th gen steering rack will swap but you do want the pump and reservoir. This was one of my favorite sites when sorting out the wiring: http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech1.html
You will also want the VATS module and ignition key from the donor car.

 

Thanks ACCLR8N.

Whats is the VATS ? I may understand the full name, but for a poor little frenchiy, some acromyns are mistery...

 

vehicle anti theft system

 

font went crazy sorry

 

No problem. That's good because I want that VATS to go away ! It's probably why the engine doesn't start...

 

In the LT1 the VATS has to be programmed out in the computer ( PCM ) unless you have the correct key / ign and wiring from under original dash
As noted; for simplicity I would seriously consider using a aftermarket LT1 wiring harness and get the VATS taken out of the computer.
Can also get other computer changes made at same time; fan operating temps , gearbox shift points ,etc


https://www.thirdgen.org/vats_passkey_system

 

If it were my car i would do my best to get the most for my money. The avg Lt1 drivetrain will run you 1200-2500 and the Ls1 drivetrain 2500-5000 Now if you look at a 5.3L drivetrain that can be had for the price of the Lt1 drivetrain..... add a small cam and you have a bit more power than the Lt1, ease of tunability goes to the Ls base.

I have both,my silver 96 has a bolt on Lt1 makes 320/336 w/6spd and has no problems runnin hi 12s low 13s(my DA sucks avg3000') on spray it runs bottom 11s on a 150 shot.
6.0 Lq4 had 40k on it,add mild cam,ported heads and similar set ups run just over 400/390 (mine is not finished yet) i have 1800 in my 6.0 including purchase price of 1000

Which ever you choose you cannot go wrong there is plenty power to be had

 

There are additional costs to putting a 5.3 or 6.0 into a 3rd gen above and beyond the cost of the engine/trans/PCM/harness. You need to change the intake, front accessories, and oil pan as well.

 

I just went through all of this LM7/LQ9 swap info and the LS1 is not any more expensive when all said and done, even if you get a complete LQ9 for $1200.00 bucks like I was. Now, if you could swing one for $800.00 or get the accessories and brackets for $100.00 then thats coming out cheaper. I think my LQ9 swap was almost $3000.00 without transmission and/0r 700R4 adapter stuff.

 

Iron block 5.3/6.0: Not sure how many donor GM pick-up trucks are available in France.

VATS bypass: There are electronic modules available that send the correct frequency signal to the PCM to bypass the security system ($30ish U.S.). Don't bother with the modules that are just a resistor in a box to bypass the key reader.

My opinion: TPI's look cool when the hood is up. LT1's can be freshened and modded for the cost of a used LS swap and are a little easier to install. LS1/LS2 are the best performance foundation if you have the money.

 

LS-engines are really pricey here. Chevy Tahoes were considered as luxury-SUVs so salvage salesmen believe their engine worth gold.

Add cost (and SHIPPING) of intake, belts, etc and you get the price of a new LS-1.

With that LT1, I take it all from a single car at a good price. A F-body, moreover. I believe it will be easier to swap and keep in shape.

 

 

Thanks man !

Now I try to understand how the 96 cooling will work on my 83. The radiator support being slanted backward.

 

Personally, I would go with the LS1.
It will have more HP stock than a full bolt on LT1 and get 25+ mpg.
7K Euros is a lot of money though.

My brother has a 96 Trans Am that he swapped to an LS1 2 years and when the motor broke 8 months ago he yanked it out and sold it to a friend with the intention of taking the stock motor from his friends car.
2 weeks ago he picked up a complete LS1/4L60E with under 30K miles for $1300 from a junkyard and put that into his Trans Am since it was a great deal and he didn't feel like waiting on his friend to finish buying the parts to rebuild the motor he sold. I think that is maybe 1000 euros.

 

Yep, 1300 bucks make 1000 Euros.
That's probably why i reluctantly would like to pay about $10 000 for a LS-1 swap...

 

Oh, if you get an LT1 out of a corvette, you will get a 4 bolt block, and a better accessory setup and makes it easier to have Air conditioning.

here is the LT1 we put into my friends 82 Trans Am 10 years ago,
We put the Corvette Accessory bracket and accessories,


here is the directory where there are a bunch of pics of his 82 we restored,
http://transamws6.com/pics/82_ta/