I've been searching this forum and have yet to find anything helpful. If this has been done before, I apologize in advance and request a link.

I have an '84 and I am working on an LT1 engine swap. I've been thinking about installing a '94-'96 interior so I can have original parts that will work with the ECU for the motor.

I know GM redisgned the interior three times in the C4 and I also know that the door design was changed sometime during this generation.

Does anyone know the interior dimensions in the '84 and the '94-'96? If I were to completely gut the interior, could I get a '94-'96 interior and install it?

Or am I ?

 

If you've got the parts, and the time, you can do it.

 

And the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$. I would guess that it would cost 2X-3X the cost of buying a 1996 ready to go. And you will still have a 1984 Corvette.

 

If you have the money to swap into a LT1 powertrain, you should invest into a LSx conversion. Few more bucks for sure but, you will have a better engine with more aftermarket options.

 

I have thought of doing the LTx install, but the car came with the LT1 as a replacement, so I am cleaning it up and putting it back together.

Right now I'm still partial to the Gen I/II blocks.

Just curious about the interior install. I know it would cost $$$$$$$$ if I buy it all new. Never know what you will find somewhere.

 

You do not want to do this. Just get the car running and dump it.
I am sending you a PM that lists another forum you might want to visit to learn the troubles an 87 owner has had trying to do an LT1 install. It is a nightmare and he is a freakin computer whiz.
Also listing a non-forum C4 recycler who can supply you good used interior parts at a reasonable price.
Just walk away and cut your losses is my advice.

 

Why not swap in analog gages. Like this.

You could even build your own by cutting a metal plate or working with composites if you are so inclined. Digital gauges are nice, but when they break it is usually not a simple fix.

 

blr33439,

I have looked at the analog gauges and that is my initial plan since the LCD gauge cluster is missing. I was looking at the later C4 interiors and they are nice looking. BTY...looking forward to seeing those headlight conversions when they are done. They look SWEET!!!!!

 

Given enough time, money, and talent, anything is possible. But as the others said, why not just sell the 84 and buy the car you really want to begin with? There's a strong possibility you'll wind up with an abomination that you'll play hell getting to run correctly, if at all.

But....if you're determined to go down this road, get a stand alone harness from Painless, and the LT1 4L80E complete with the PCM. Ensure that the VATS is bypassed. Change to a later fuel pump. Replace the gauges with analog (though most of the digital can be made to work). Now spend the next year, every ounce of your spare time wrenching on this monstrosity.

Look....I don't want to dissuade you, just want you to know what you're in for. I've done EFI V8 swaps into Fieros....and made them run correctly. But it takes patience, planning, good fabrication skills (and networking for the stuff you can't do), and the ability to think around problems. Don't forget a spouse that is understanding when the project goes $2500 over budget (which it will). And the net effect is you will wind up with a car you can't give away when it's time to sell....(yeah yeah, you're gonna keep it forever....right).

And then changing the interior? Well, the dimensions are the same.....but..... This is an extreme amount of trouble. It would be easier to find a crocodile in the desert, lasso it, kill it and skin it with your hands, and deep fry it for dinner.

I've owned both....an 84 and a 95. Both are good cars in their own right, but the later C4's are light years ahead in every way imaginable.

 

been there done that... (interior swap)

I put a 1991 interior in my 89, keep the L98 (albeit a built Miniram motor)

It was cool, but hind sight I would have sold the car before the interior conversion. I did my conversion back in 2001/2002 sold the car in 2008

Everything worked on the conversion, except the ASR switch ( I used the 94-96 white lettering) although the ASR switch was hooked up to a line lock..

 

Thanks Jeff.

I threw the question out there because of curiosity. It appears it will be expensive short of finding a salvage in good condition for cheap.

Frizlefrak,
I may never keep it forever, but I have regretted some of the cars I have sold in the past. The cars I have and will buy in the future are ones I have always wanted.The money spent will never be recouped. I will be happy when I start it and drive it, that is all that matters. Fab isn't a problem and right now the Vette is one of three cars being worked on. It gets the first bid since it is so close to running. The Nova is next and the Camaro will be pieced together as I collect parts and get the wife working on it. As far as the budget, she won't have much say, especially when we start on her Camaro.

I have thought about the stand alone setup. I will see how it goes when it comes time to wire it up and turn the key.

Thanks guys.

 

IMHO that's the way to go....it eliminates having to integrate things into the harness that are no longer there and keep the PCM happy. Stand alone harness, a reflashed PCM, and the engine will be happy.

Do remember to change the fuel pump though....the lower output 84 pump isn't going to cut it on a port injected engine. The later one is a simple splice and drop in affair.

 

I considered swapping in a later interior into my 85 before I did the restoration. The problem is that you don't find whole cars from which to pull the interior parts from ANYWHERE. I had thought that I could find a wreck or blown engine car on craigslist or at insurance auction for 2-3 grand, pull what I wanted from it and part out/sell the rest, but these cars bring a BUNCH of money at auction in that condition...almost as much as the early c4's bring running/driving.

IF you do find one in a junkyard, half the interior is already screwed up or picked over, and of course a lot of junkyards won't even inventory or sell interior stuff at all, junkyards are weird that way. Of course all of the vette-specific shops and places that part them out routinely want 100 dollars for each trim piece and refuse to make a package deal for an entire interior at a reasonable (read: sub $2000) price.

Now that I've completely restored the original interior I'm very happy with it, and I enjoy the retro 80's look.

 

I'll keep the current interior, just install analog gauges.

Frizlefrak,
I do have the pump. The PO went through the trouble of getting all of the parts together, just lost interest before it was installed. I think I got the sweet end of the deal, traded a 1996 Cherokee for the Vette.