1984 corvette lt1 conversion
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
1984 corvette lt1 conversion
im thinking of buying a 1984 corvette rolling chassis. i have a 1997 firebird formula and was wondering how difficult it would be to put the lt1 in the vette. i hav a lot of time invested in my lt1 but i had a camaro before the firebird and jus want something a little different and ive always wanted a vette. ive found a few forums but they were never finished so any info or links or even personal experience would be very much appreciated. thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
C4's came with LT1's so all you need are the Vette specific parts
Need the Vette LT1 front accessory drive system and the tailshaft housing
off a Vette 4L60/E if auto.
T56 requires custom adapter to mate to the C4 C-beam
( no trans mount in a C4 )
Need the Vette LT1 front accessory drive system and the tailshaft housing
off a Vette 4L60/E if auto.
T56 requires custom adapter to mate to the C4 C-beam
( no trans mount in a C4 )
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,046
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
What is your intended use for the car? The 1984 had VERY stiff springs, and while fine for racing, they were too much for the street. Springs from a later car can be retrofit but other suspension components would have to be changed. FWIW, 1992-1996 Corvettes used the LT1 engine.
Several C4 books discuss suspension issues/history on these cars, one readily available is "1984-1996 Corvette Specs Book", by Mike Antonick. You might find another year C4 is better suited for your purpose.
Last edited by mapman; Nov 7, 2011 at 09:09 AM.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
i would to make it a street performer. my firebird is my daily driver right now but like i said i want something different and ive always wanted a corvette. so if i were to do this does that mean i would have to change computer and harness to a 1992-1996 c4? if i have to change the tail housing on the transmissions will the 700r4 tail shaft housing fit the 4l60e?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 545
From: Glenbeulah Wi
It is going to take a lot of work with the engine computer to make it work but it can be done. The 1997 car is an OBDII computer and the transmission is a 4L60E which is controlled by the engine computer. The 1984 vette is an OBD1 car and the transmission shifts itself and the computer only controls lock-up of the torque convertor. You could use a 1994 through 1995 OBDI computer and wiring harness, or a 1996 OBDII computer and wiring harness and a good tuner to take car of all interface issues.
You could also use a 1992 through 1993 computer and a stand along transmission controller to take care of the 4L60E transmission. In general with enough time and effort you could get any of the computers to work but I am not sure how much effort you want to put into this.
The easiest way to make the work may be to purchase an aftermarket engine and transmission controller like a FAST system.
You could also use a 1992 through 1993 computer and a stand along transmission controller to take care of the 4L60E transmission. In general with enough time and effort you could get any of the computers to work but I am not sure how much effort you want to put into this.
The easiest way to make the work may be to purchase an aftermarket engine and transmission controller like a FAST system.
Last edited by bjankuski; Nov 9, 2011 at 06:45 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
I use dynamicefi's ecm in my 84. Plug and play with the Ham Board, and it has the multi-port upgrade. For $500 or so you can run any injection system to want too. You will also be able to use your existing wiring harness.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,655
Likes: 750
From: NEwhere Ohio
It is going to take a lot of work with the engine computer to make it work but it can be done. The 1997 car is an OBDII computer and the transmission is a 4L60E which is controlled by the engine computer. The 1984 vette is an OBD1 car and the transmission shifts itself and the computer only controls lock-up of the torque convertor. You could use a 1994 through 1995 OBDI computer and wiring harness, or a 1996 OBDII computer and wiring harness and a good tuner to take car of all interface issues.
You could also use a 1992 through 1993 computer and a stand along transmission controller to take care of the 4L60E transmission. In general with enough time and effort you could get any of the computers to work but I am not sure how much effort you want to put into this.
The easiest way to make the work may be to purchase an aftermarket engine and transmission controller like a FAST system.
You could also use a 1992 through 1993 computer and a stand along transmission controller to take care of the 4L60E transmission. In general with enough time and effort you could get any of the computers to work but I am not sure how much effort you want to put into this.
The easiest way to make the work may be to purchase an aftermarket engine and transmission controller like a FAST system.
I had a roomate who went thru a lot of trouble to put a stock lt1 into an 89 camaro. I warned him ahead of time that he should at least hop up the motor while it was out and easy to work on.
I recommended hotcam kit / head work / lt headers.
He didn't take my advice and seemed surprised that, after all his hard work, he was getting beat by stock mustangs.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Well I was thinkin and im jus spit ballin here what if I were to put a stand alone fuel management system with and after market ignition system like the flying magnet I think is made my msd with 700r4 trans. Would that work? And id like to do a lsx/t56 setup but ppl that hav an ls1 for sale want ten prices for it and the t56 I've been lookin for for about a year now and no such luck besides call me ole fashion but there's somethin bout an iron block that makes me feel a little bit more comfortable behind the wheel. That's jus my personal opinion. Not sayin there's anything wrong with the lsx engines.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Waynesville Ohio
78formulajudge,
I have the same project underway right now. I'm converting the Impala motor I have to a Corvette motor. I have the engine wiring harness and the computer to go with the motor. Also have the 4L60 and transfered the tailshaft housing from the 700R4 and cut the tailshaft to length. I recently picked up the heads and intake from the machine shop. They were gasket matched and machined to accept the LT4 hot cam. Next step is the motor check and rebuild. I intend to change the optispark to an LTx ignition setup and water pump to eleectric.
Got any questions PM me, I'll try to answer any questions.
I have the same project underway right now. I'm converting the Impala motor I have to a Corvette motor. I have the engine wiring harness and the computer to go with the motor. Also have the 4L60 and transfered the tailshaft housing from the 700R4 and cut the tailshaft to length. I recently picked up the heads and intake from the machine shop. They were gasket matched and machined to accept the LT4 hot cam. Next step is the motor check and rebuild. I intend to change the optispark to an LTx ignition setup and water pump to eleectric.
Got any questions PM me, I'll try to answer any questions.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,698
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
78formulajudge, Welcome to the Forum!
What is your intended use for the car? The 1984 had VERY stiff springs, and while fine for racing, they were too much for the street. Springs from a later car can be retrofit but other suspension components would have to be changed. You might find another year C4 is better suited for your purpose.
What is your intended use for the car? The 1984 had VERY stiff springs, and while fine for racing, they were too much for the street. Springs from a later car can be retrofit but other suspension components would have to be changed. You might find another year C4 is better suited for your purpose.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
From: Rockford Michigan
Yes, 84s came with stiff springs, especially the Z51 suspension which I ordered in mine. I swapped the springs out to 85 springs the next year. Didn't have to change anything else. That was all that was needed to tame the ride. I have a 4L60e in my 84 using a TCI transmission controller. It works pretty well, wouldn't you say?
