LT1 Swap.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
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From: Columbia Missouri
LT1 Swap.
Lately I've been second guessing the motor swap for my Vette. I have built and planned a 400 (406) to go in place of the 350 this next spring. Everything is in place, but I find a new deal every few weeks for an engine that I woudl rather put in. In this case, it's an LT1 from an Impala SS. It's complete, from the pan to the intake, and harness and computer.
I can get it for a steal, and it's only about an hour away from me so picking up is easy.
It's a high mileage motor, I think pushing 200K, but the car ran great with no smoke when it was pulled.
I guess I'm pretty sure I want to buy it and swap it in instead of the 400. I will want to look any pre-swap maint I need to do and am wondering should I rebuild it even though it has no leaks or smoke? Should I let it ride or go ahead and rip it down and rebuild it?
All input please, as this will be the first fuel injected motor for me and this Vette. Kind of exciting just thinking about it.
I can get it for a steal, and it's only about an hour away from me so picking up is easy.
It's a high mileage motor, I think pushing 200K, but the car ran great with no smoke when it was pulled.
I guess I'm pretty sure I want to buy it and swap it in instead of the 400. I will want to look any pre-swap maint I need to do and am wondering should I rebuild it even though it has no leaks or smoke? Should I let it ride or go ahead and rip it down and rebuild it?
All input please, as this will be the first fuel injected motor for me and this Vette. Kind of exciting just thinking about it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
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From: I can walk to MA
200k ... you know it isn't long for this world ... at least not without smoking.
I thought about an LT1, also. They are fairly cheap, but I think
you can find an LSx setup for not TOO much more than a decent LT1.
Of course, you know that you'll need the 'puter and all the wiring.
Fuel supply will probably be the biggest task to add on.
If not using this as a daily driver and/or commuter car ... I'd stick with
the *****-to-the-walls 406. So what if you don't have remote starter and
notable fuel economy.
I thought about an LT1, also. They are fairly cheap, but I think
you can find an LSx setup for not TOO much more than a decent LT1.
Of course, you know that you'll need the 'puter and all the wiring.
Fuel supply will probably be the biggest task to add on.
If not using this as a daily driver and/or commuter car ... I'd stick with
the *****-to-the-walls 406. So what if you don't have remote starter and
notable fuel economy.
Last edited by NHvette; Nov 2, 2006 at 05:31 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 1
From: Nashville TN
I know how you feel, I now have two built 350's ready for my vette and a 427 that is recently new. Im having a hard time deciding what to drop into my car.
There are a lot of posts on the conversion your wanting to do, I was searching through them the other day and was amazed at how much people know concerning these type of swaps.
Im going to flip a quarter when I decide, 427 or 350 and then stick with it. Whatever I dont put into the vette im going to put into my 71 Chevelle.
Decisions decisions...
There are a lot of posts on the conversion your wanting to do, I was searching through them the other day and was amazed at how much people know concerning these type of swaps.
Im going to flip a quarter when I decide, 427 or 350 and then stick with it. Whatever I dont put into the vette im going to put into my 71 Chevelle.
Decisions decisions...
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
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From: Chino Hills CA
LT-1's are great motors, 300+ reliable horsepower, but plan on going through the motor as well as the Opti-Spark, the only weak spot on this mill. Otherwise I'd go for an LS-1 and 6 speed out of a wrecked Camaro, with an Edelbrock carb conversion and stand-alone ignition.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
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From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by lowbuck72
LT-1's are great motors, 300+ reliable horsepower, but plan on going through the motor as well as the Opti-Spark, the only weak spot on this mill. Otherwise I'd go for an LS-1 and 6 speed out of a wrecked Camaro, with an Edelbrock carb conversion and stand-alone ignition.
Good. I'm liking the idea of this LT1 more and more. I'm maybe a few days away from deciding and going to get it. Assuming I have the entire thing on an engine stand, what would be the first step? Total dissassembly or just a few key areas? I don't know if I'd want to rip it down for a complete rebuild if it runs strong and smooth.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,997
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From: WAY DEEP INSIDE AMERICO,YES YOU LIVE HERE TO!! TX
These motors can go a long way. I would rebuild anyway. I did the LT1
6/speed swap. Not hard at all. I mocked up everything in the car then pulled it all apart for detail and paint. it's more time consuming than anything else. The outcome and performance is worth the hassle
these are old pictures. Lots of powder coating has been done and chroming
6/speed swap. Not hard at all. I mocked up everything in the car then pulled it all apart for detail and paint. it's more time consuming than anything else. The outcome and performance is worth the hassle
these are old pictures. Lots of powder coating has been done and chroming
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
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From: Columbia Missouri
MEGALADON - Say I decide to buy and install the LT1. Did any of the pulleys interfere with anything like a-arms or cross member or anything like that?
I'll be putting a TH200R4 behind mine when I do the swap, so the stock motor mounts and trans mount will work for me.
I'll be putting a TH200R4 behind mine when I do the swap, so the stock motor mounts and trans mount will work for me.
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: WAY DEEP INSIDE AMERICO,YES YOU LIVE HERE TO!! TX
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
MEGALADON - Say I decide to buy and install the LT1. Did any of the pulleys interfere with anything like a-arms or cross member or anything like that?
You cannot use the LT1 pulley setup. You can use a C-4 setup
but ugly. Use www.streetandperformance.com setup, it's awesome.
I'll be putting a TH200R4 behind mine when I do the swap, so the stock motor mounts and trans mount will work for me.
You cannot use the LT1 pulley setup. You can use a C-4 setup
but ugly. Use www.streetandperformance.com setup, it's awesome.
I'll be putting a TH200R4 behind mine when I do the swap, so the stock motor mounts and trans mount will work for me.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
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From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by MEGALADON
Not sure if you can do that with the stock computer. I think it may have to be the 460L trans or what ever was stock with the computer. You may have a problewm there. that company can tell you in a heart beat what you can and can't do. They are LT1 specialist on swaps, and carry any and everything you would ever need.
what is it about the stock pulleys that won't work? They hit too many things?
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: WAY DEEP INSIDE AMERICO,YES YOU LIVE HERE TO!! TX
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
what is it about the stock pulleys that won't work? They hit too many things?
the frame mod to make it work. Upper a arm in the way also. The most important thing you would need is a MDS billet Opti!!! the GM Opti are crap as well
I would push you to get a electric W/P as well,its a proven 5 to 10 HP gain.
Last edited by MEGALADON; Nov 3, 2006 at 02:55 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: WAY DEEP INSIDE AMERICO,YES YOU LIVE HERE TO!! TX
Originally Posted by Kalway
I'd say with all of the modifications required, just get a fuel injection system to put on top of your 406 and be done with it.
If he wants an LT1 he can make it happen.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by MEGALADON
Some people don't look for the easy way out.
If he wants an LT1 he can make it happen.
If he wants an LT1 he can make it happen.
Very true. Now, knowing that the water pump is usually the key to the serp system, as in making sure it spins the right way...it should be easy to add an idler if I need to round a pulley for it to work.
Who made your serp system?
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: WAY DEEP INSIDE AMERICO,YES YOU LIVE HERE TO!! TX
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
MEGALADON - With the electric water pump...how do you route the serp belt using a setup like I'm planning to use now?
Anything else you need
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Diego CA
Sure you CAN fit an LT1 but he already has a 406 sitting there ready to go in. The 406 can make more power and will be a ton easier to put in. He can simply put a fuel injection system from Holley, Edelbrock, Accel, or Rochester Products and have the same reliability of an LT1 without having to modify it so much.
I'm speaking from the sensible side. You've already got a good engine ready to go. LT1s have a much more limited aftermarket available to them, than Gen I engines.
I'm speaking from the sensible side. You've already got a good engine ready to go. LT1s have a much more limited aftermarket available to them, than Gen I engines.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,997
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From: WAY DEEP INSIDE AMERICO,YES YOU LIVE HERE TO!! TX
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
Very true. Now, knowing that the water pump is usually the key to the serp system, as in making sure it spins the right way...it should be easy to add an idler if I need to round a pulley for it to work.
Who made your serp system?
Who made your serp system?
like the pic you posted. Here is an old pic of when I did the Gen 3
pulley set up. If you were to use the smog pump you have to modify the upper control arm.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
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From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by MEGALADON
Are you talking LT1 or GEN 3 camaro/ trans am pulley set up
like the pic you posted. Here is an old pic of when I did the Gen 3
pulley set up. If you were to use the smog pump you have to modify the upper control arm.
like the pic you posted. Here is an old pic of when I did the Gen 3
pulley set up. If you were to use the smog pump you have to modify the upper control arm.
I have the smog delete, and have it installed inwards to avoid the a-arm clearance problem.