C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

LT1 opti to LS1 coil conversion

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Old Nov 16, 2020 | 10:50 AM
  #1  
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Default LT1 opti to LS1 coil conversion

Something tells me this is already a thread I just can’t find it so if anyone’s got the link just post it in this thread please but I’m interested in ditching my opti for LS coil conversion I just can’t find any kits online. I’m building a 383 stroker with my old LT1 engine and I think it would be a good idea to go ahead and ditch opti while I’m doing everything else. I found one company online that makes a full conversion kit however they are not producing the kits currently due to not being able to supply parts. Does anyone know of any good company’s currently producing conversion kits or how easy it would be for me to piece a kit together myself? Thanks in advance for the help!
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Old Nov 16, 2020 | 12:29 PM
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https://www.bailey-eng.com/product/l...der-converter/


www.torqhead.com
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Old Nov 16, 2020 | 01:07 PM
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Bailey doesn't have a kit, but that controller will allow the OP to build his own. It's essentially a "go-between" ignition controller that takes signals from the opti part of the optispark and uses that--and the timing signal from the PCM--to fire the LS coils. To adapt it to the C4 you'd still need the coil harness, coils, and some way to mount said coils.

Torqhead is the company OP was talking about in the first post, and is not accepting any orders for C4 Corvette kits.

I'm not aware of any other companies making complete kits. There is another 'homebrew' solution for adapting LS coils onto the LT1/LT4, but it's basically a DIY version of the Bailey solution. It may be a little more involved than you want to get.
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Old Nov 16, 2020 | 03:13 PM
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I'm not aware of any other companies making complete kits. There is another 'homebrew' solution for adapting LS coils onto the LT1/LT4, but it's basically a DIY version of the Bailey solution. It may be a little more involved than you want to get.
Please post some info and/or a link to it. I am interested in reading about that.

To the OP, the Bailey LTCC is used by lots of folks. Coils are easy to come by and there are brackets on eBay that can readily be adapted. That solution may still be on the horizon for me. I have everything except the Bailey box acquired.
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Old Nov 16, 2020 | 03:51 PM
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Not to thread hijack, but has anyone (who has done ls swaps) swapped out the coils for an optispark

so they can use the tried and true easy to tune stock lt1 pcm with the ls motor?

/or worry about coilpack failure with the many new coilpacks added (from an ls swap)

also can add an msd box to the optispark where you cant to the coilpacks

Last edited by dizwiz24; Nov 16, 2020 at 03:52 PM.
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Old Nov 16, 2020 | 04:12 PM
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Originally Posted by dizwiz24
Not to thread hijack, but has anyone (who has done ls swaps) swapped out the coils for an optispark

so they can use the tried and true easy to tune stock lt1 pcm with the ls motor?

/or worry about coilpack failure with the many new coilpacks added (from an ls swap)

also can add an msd box to the optispark where you cant to the coilpacks
Can't tell if sarcasm or just really really out there.

Originally Posted by drcook
Please post some info and/or a link to it. I am interested in reading about that.
http://www.gearhead-efi.com/Fuel-Inj...ll=1#post84681 This is the post with the latest version attached. It includes both the Arduino code and the plans to make it. The parts are readily available at electronics retailers like Mouser and Digikey, and the PCB can be made at your favorite PCB fab (OshPark, PCB4less, JLCPCB, etc). It only uses through-hole components so it can be hand-soldered easily. Of course you then DIY the rest of it, such as how you want to wire it into the requisite connectors on the car, and run the wiring for the coils. But if you don't mind all that DIY work, well, there ya go.

Full disclaimer, I have one of these myself, but have not put it on my car yet as I'm still working out the best way to plug it into the vehicle harness in a way that's easily reversible, so that I can switch back and forth.
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Old Nov 16, 2020 | 05:06 PM
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Could you download the zip file ? I tried to join Gearhead EFI never got the activation emails. If you are a member there, maybe you can get in touch with an admin why that happened. I tried to build a drcook and a drcook1 id. Neither got the activation.
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Old Nov 16, 2020 | 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted by drcook
Could you download the zip file ? I tried to join Gearhead EFI never got the activation emails. If you are a member there, maybe you can get in touch with an admin why that happened. I tried to build a drcook and a drcook1 id. Neither got the activation.
Huh, maybe a whitelist issue with your email provider? The raw header from their activation email looks like this (on Yahoo):

Return-Path: <eaglemark@p3nlhg481.shr.prod.phx3.secur eserver.net>
Authentication-Results: mta4128.mail.bf1.yahoo.com header.i=@metrocast.net dkim=neutral (no sig);
spfDomain=p3nlhg481.shr.prod.phx3.secure server.net spfResult=none;
dmarc=NULL(p=NULL sp=NULL dis=NULL) header.from=metrocast.net
X-YahooFilteredBulk: 72.167.234.242
Received-SPF: none (domain of p3nlhg481.shr.prod.phx3.secureserver.net does not designate permitted sender hosts)
Anyway, the link to the ZIP file is here: http://www.pfautsch.com/wp-content/u...0_9_42-src.zip
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Old Nov 16, 2020 | 06:51 PM
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they banned the ID's I tried to set up. I have no idea. that is why if you can get with an admin I would appreciate it

same as I use here drcook then I tried drcook1
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Old Nov 16, 2020 | 08:03 PM
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Originally Posted by dizwiz24
Not to thread hijack, but has anyone (who has done ls swaps) swapped out the coils for an optispark

so they can use the tried and true easy to tune stock lt1 pcm with the ls motor?

/or worry about coilpack failure with the many new coilpacks added (from an ls swap)

also can add an msd box to the optispark where you cant to the coilpacks
Might as well go carb while you're at it, since you're willing to take such huge steps backwards. Maybe convert to a solid front axle, synchroless trans, drum brakes, iron heads, etc.

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Old Nov 19, 2020 | 01:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Nomake Wan

Torqhead is the company OP was talking about in the first post, and is not accepting any orders for C4 Corvette kits.

.
Not to crosspost but I just posted today on the General Discussion Threads that I had spoken with the owner at Torqhead and they think that C4 owners will have a Torqhead conversion ready to go. See: C4 Torqhead FYI post

Andy

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Old Nov 19, 2020 | 01:44 AM
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Another option.

https://eficonversions.com/blogs/hol...97-lt1-engines
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Old Nov 19, 2020 | 03:35 AM
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Originally Posted by James93LT1
I was excited to see another complete option posted. I did some research and noted that this will be a lot more expensive option vs Torqhead. $895 for the ECU that Holley no longer lists as available on their website for LT1 engines (could be problematic for support), $835 for the cam/crank signal kit, $675 for the wiring harness and still need coil packs ($495) and probably a few other accessory parts. That's going to be a lot more based on my asking what the Corvette LT1 kit would cost all in. Below is copied and pasted from my email with Paul at Torqhead. I emailed him asking the costs of a vette kit. Of course EFI Conversions has at least listed all the parts as available so the bird in the hand thing could beat the solution still in the bushes.

Hi Andy,

For a 1996 C4 a full kit would be in the $2000-$2150 range depending on couple options. This least gives you ball park.

Very complete. These full kits come with everything except engine coolant (to refill during install) and final detailed tune (best to do locally).

Regards, Paul

Owner/Product Designer

Last edited by Andy Seynaeve; Nov 19, 2020 at 03:37 AM.
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Old Nov 19, 2020 | 04:12 AM
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EFI connection page on FB list the Holley Teminator X p/n 550-903, which should be supported.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...8853666&type=3

Here is a guy that used used the Torquehead 24X signal kit, instead of EFI's signal kit.
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Old Nov 19, 2020 | 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Andy Seynaeve
I was excited to see another complete option posted. I did some research and noted that this will be a lot more expensive option vs Torqhead. $895 for the ECU that Holley no longer lists as available on their website for LT1 engines (could be problematic for support), $835 for the cam/crank signal kit, $675 for the wiring harness and still need coil packs ($495) and probably a few other accessory parts. That's going to be a lot more based on my asking what the Corvette LT1 kit would cost all in. Below is copied and pasted from my email with Paul at Torqhead. I emailed him asking the costs of a vette kit. Of course EFI Conversions has at least listed all the parts as available so the bird in the hand thing could beat the solution still in the bushes.
You're using the ECU for LS1 engines, not LT1 engines. Its $899, or $999 with the hand-held.
That includes the wiring harness, unless you're talking about some separate harness.
Definitely don't need to buy new coil packs lol. I've never used a single new coil pack in any of the 50+ LS engines I've done and have yet to have a bad one.

You're talking $1000 for ECU, $835 cam/crank signal kit, $100 for used coil packs.
The cam/crank signal kit is only $450 if you're using a single row timing set, you just need to have the appropriate timing cover.

The Holley ECU is light years ahead of the stock PCM for LS engines.
Using the Torqhead unit and sticking to a Gen 3 PCM is a big step backwards.
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Old Nov 19, 2020 | 10:49 AM
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Originally Posted by JoeNova
You're using the ECU for LS1 engines, not LT1 engines. Its $899, or $999 with the hand-held.
That includes the wiring harness, unless you're talking about some separate harness.
Definitely don't need to buy new coil packs lol. I've never used a single new coil pack in any of the 50+ LS engines I've done and have yet to have a bad one.

You're talking $1000 for ECU, $835 cam/crank signal kit, $100 for used coil packs.
The cam/crank signal kit is only $450 if you're using a single row timing set, you just need to have the appropriate timing cover.

The Holley ECU is light years ahead of the stock PCM for LS engines.
Using the Torqhead unit and sticking to a Gen 3 PCM is a big step backwards.
I couldn't tell from the website that the harness was included with the ECM. So I included the harness listed with the ECM as things you would need. So that's a good news thing. I'm really need to all the computer crap on vehicles, my last Tinker cars were a 1973 Z28 and a 1968 Corvette.

I kept my comparison as Apples to Apples as much as possible which would include new coil packs compared to new coil packs. That keeps the cost analysis comprable.

can you explain your opinion on why the Holley ECM is better than the torqhead?

this has been a great discussion!


Last edited by Andy Seynaeve; Nov 19, 2020 at 10:50 AM.
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Old Nov 19, 2020 | 11:02 AM
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The Torqhead doesn't have its own ECM. It uses a stock Gen 3 LS PCM with modified connectors to allow you to use your LT1 harness.
The stock Gen 3 PCM isn't anywhere near as capable as the Holley, and isn't any near as easy to tune, either.
The Holley is far easier to tune, has exponentially more features, will self-tune the fueling, etc.
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Old Nov 19, 2020 | 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by JoeNova
The Torqhead doesn't have its own ECM. It uses a stock Gen 3 LS PCM with modified connectors to allow you to use your LT1 harness.
The stock Gen 3 PCM isn't anywhere near as capable as the Holley, and isn't any near as easy to tune, either.
The Holley is far easier to tune, has exponentially more features, will self-tune the fueling, etc.

Any issues with accessories, gauges, etc with the Holley ecm?
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Old Nov 19, 2020 | 11:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Andy Seynaeve
Any issues with accessories, gauges, etc with the Holley ecm?
Curious about this too. The Torqhead PCM does the proper CCM/EBTCM communication, according to them. How's the Holley?
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Old Nov 19, 2020 | 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Andy Seynaeve
Any issues with accessories, gauges, etc with the Holley ecm?



My understanding is, the holley and others, are engine and transmission management only....... Which leads to what IMO as well as others, one of the problems of converting to a LS engine, or any computer short of stock.
Its going to be a trade off.....
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