LT1 swap
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 18
From: St. Louis MO
LT1 swap
Ok, I read the stickey. I am just wondering if there is a place where I can see the LT1 swap into a 1980 vette? I also am going to need to find out about parts, like brackets for PS, Alt, A/C... Is this going to have to be special? What am I going to have to wire differently? As you may have noticed, I have no Idea what I am getting myself into.
Anyone know a step by step on this swap? I have several friends now and i don't want to burn them out on this project the first week.
Anyone know a step by step on this swap? I have several friends now and i don't want to burn them out on this project the first week.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Tim - You have friends? 
What's making you want to get into the LT1 stuff?
Have you looked into any of the easier EFI systems? Vortec truck motors have been very good to cars with different cams and some programming modifications. They are probably cheaper and easier to install considering the Vortec motors have the rear distributor, better brackets, and won't require the air duct to go forward.
What's making you want to get into the LT1 stuff?
Have you looked into any of the easier EFI systems? Vortec truck motors have been very good to cars with different cams and some programming modifications. They are probably cheaper and easier to install considering the Vortec motors have the rear distributor, better brackets, and won't require the air duct to go forward.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 18
From: St. Louis MO
The #1 reason for this is because i already have the motor. I think I can cleadn up the heads and have about 375 HP for very little money. I am looking for some info on the instal. I read the sticky and got not much. Was looking for a how to type of thing. Any pitfalls one might run into. Where to find the wiring parts i need,,,, that sort of thing
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
The #1 reason for this is because i already have the motor. I think I can cleadn up the heads and have about 375 HP for very little money. I am looking for some info on the instal. I read the sticky and got not much. Was looking for a how to type of thing. Any pitfalls one might run into. Where to find the wiring parts i need,,,, that sort of thing
Have you checked out http://www.lt1swap.com/ ?
You might find some good info there. I didn't see anything Corvette specific but maybe some good stuff either way.
I have heard the biggest issue is the accessory brackets and the A-arms can be in their way.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 18
From: St. Louis MO
The impression I get is that they will not allow the A/C unit to fit. Narrow front end. I need to find one for a vette. Also going to have to change the oil pan. Seems that it will rub on the tie rods... Great. This is looking more expensive than I planned.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
LT1 requires LT1 acessories. TPI (and TBI) can use original v-belts or F-body or 85-91 C4 Serpentine systems. There used to be a LT1 swap page on corvettefaq.com. The swap is very similar to a TPI swap except you have to use LT1 acessories.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Social Circle Georgia
There are after market accessory brackets available for the LT motors in various configurations. I'll see what I can find at the shop tomorrow and let you know who has something to look at.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,102
Likes: 1
From: Forsyth Illinois
I'm doing a 69 vert w/aluminum headed 94 LT1,and custom built 700 R4.I got na painless wiring harness w/the engine/trans,but still hjave to send the computer in to have it reprogrammed.I haven't gotten to the pulley system yet,but that is coming very quickly.Do a search for a 74 vert that I have listed for a friend,and it has a LT conversion.I am going to use a later style AC compressor,and mount it up to the Org.style AC pieces,or so the plan goes.......
You will have to have the computer for the swap,O2 sensors,but heard of something that you can plug in to the wiring to give it a false reading??????Electric fuel pump(was told to get a Ford dually truck electric pump,cause it will push the 45 psi needed).The rest is pretty straight forward.What trans are you going to use?What was the engine from?I was also,told to use the 93/94 model LT1s because of the dist.setup.
Here's the 69.....the pics don't help much,but it will sure be pretty when it is all done.......
You will have to have the computer for the swap,O2 sensors,but heard of something that you can plug in to the wiring to give it a false reading??????Electric fuel pump(was told to get a Ford dually truck electric pump,cause it will push the 45 psi needed).The rest is pretty straight forward.What trans are you going to use?What was the engine from?I was also,told to use the 93/94 model LT1s because of the dist.setup.
Here's the 69.....the pics don't help much,but it will sure be pretty when it is all done.......
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 18
From: St. Louis MO
I have decided to abandon this project and sell the motor and computer. It is more work than I want to do. I think for now I will just live with it as is. anyone want to buy the motor?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Tim, sell that motor, try Craigslist, and put the money into building a Vortec topped Gen1 or just rebuild a Vortec.
You can carb it and you'll have a 9.5:1 roller motor or you can adapt the fuel injection system and just change the cam.
The Vortec that Curt and I will be building for his '74 will be a really fun project.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
mil eliminator
Here's DIY links:
http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2...ale/index.php# (then bottom of page is simple diagram)
http://www.tamparacing.com/forums/fo...liminator.html (diagram at top of page)