Turbo Bob

Friend of mine owns an '89 Corvette coupe with L98 and auto trans. 120k miles. Looking to swap in a 92-96 LT1 out of a Vette. Any tech help will be much appreciated.

TorchTarga94

Sell L98 Car. Buy LT1 Car.

mixalive

I would go with an LSX from Jegs.

Turbo Bob

L98 engine is blown.

Turbo Bob

[QUOTE=mixalive;1593911115]I would go with an LSX from Jegs.[/QUOTE

He already did a 6.0 LS swap in his '86 Corvette.

drcook

they will need the computer, the wiring harness, etc due to the change in distributor, (the opti-spark)

changes to the way the injectors fire, the fact that the '96 is an OBD II car and the earlier LT1's were moving in that direction, even though they were still OBD I's. .

then in the later LT1 engines, you have a 4l60E trans that the computer would expect to be there and have to take into account


It would probably be less expensive to just buy a 300 hp SBC crate engine that is compatible/parts swappable with the L98.

otherwise, you have some of the same issues as swapping in the LSx engines, ie: what controls them, the electronics.

if they want to continue, do a Google search on Corvette salvage. There are lots of salvage C4's that could be used as donors to due the swap and get all the needed parts from one source

Benny42

It would be quite an undertaking. The accessory drive is all different and the Optispark woes have been pretty well spelled out. Honestly, a 383 with good aluminum heads and a Miniram will do anything an LT1 can do with a WHOLE lot less hassle.

JackDidley

Bore the LT1 intake to accept the L98 small cap distributor, eliminate the optispark and use the L98 ECM. Search LT1 intake conversion for info. I dont see the need to complicate things by using the opti and LT1 ECM.

cardo0

. That was a popular swap at one time. I think the LS swaps overshadow them now. It takes an accurate machining/machinist to locate the distributor hole but that's about it. L98 Stock ECM and injectors should do the job w/o upgrade (to LT1 parts).

LT1 has good heads and the LT1 can be used for all GEN I carb engine swaps to but it does not have a mechanical cooling fan and a electric radiator fan is required for the swap. Talk about a budget engine swap, the LT1 from any F or Y body with hot cam gets you close to 400hp. Heck even the iron head B body LT1 is a decent swap. Kinda funny how much this is overlooked with the newer LS motor swaps which are a ton more work.

Good luck and let us know how it works out for you.

3JsVette

and a whole lot easier.

c4cruiser

I agree with just going with a reman SBC and installing that. Much easier to do as there won't be any headaches with accessories, mounting brackets, wiring, or even the exhaust.

There are a number of very reputable builders that will have engines ready to go along with any mods you would need to get to 300HP and beyond. Look at companies like GM Performance, Edelbrock, or BluePrint for good long block assemblies and good prices.

RichS

This sounds familiar...

My suggestion was to defiantly not do a LT1 swap. I know he likes the one in the Bird we did, but it would be a pain in the *** again to do a total swap like the LS was. Besides he already has a LS swap C4 so why do 2.

My suggestion was to do a similar build like the LT1 around 400hp and get rid of the stock tuned port setup and go with a modified LT1 intake or mini ram setup. Another option was one of the new self learning fuel injected systems like a FiTech. Keeping it the "L98" engine setup will save a lot with using all the original accessories. Just need to make it breath better than the TPI.

Turbo Bob

I completely agree with you Rich. Plus he still has the L98 engine out of the '86 if spare parts are needed.

vader86

I'd get a GEN 1 crate bottom end and slap the TPI on it, or a Miniram.

I would not just swap an LT1 engine in there.