Engine swap LT1 into a 85 ? how many changes?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Engine swap LT1 into a 85 ? how many changes? (black85vette)
what kind of car?
There are 5 different versions of the LT1.
1) 265ci V8 in the caprice
2) 350ci V8, 185 hp, in caprice and cop cars
3) 350ci V8, 260 hp, in impala SS
All above are 2 bolt mains, iron heads.
4) 350ci V8, 275 hp, in Camaro/Firebird
2 bolt mains, aluminum heads
5) 350ci V8, 300hp, in Corvette
4 bolt mains, aluminum heads
to do the swap, you would need a harness, exhaust system and ECU.
I am not sure what else...
to be honest, I would fix up the L98.... or buy a newer vette with the LT1 already in it.
There are 5 different versions of the LT1.
1) 265ci V8 in the caprice
2) 350ci V8, 185 hp, in caprice and cop cars
3) 350ci V8, 260 hp, in impala SS
All above are 2 bolt mains, iron heads.
4) 350ci V8, 275 hp, in Camaro/Firebird
2 bolt mains, aluminum heads
5) 350ci V8, 300hp, in Corvette
4 bolt mains, aluminum heads
to do the swap, you would need a harness, exhaust system and ECU.
I am not sure what else...
to be honest, I would fix up the L98.... or buy a newer vette with the LT1 already in it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Re: Engine swap LT1 into a 85 ? how many changes? (bogus)
:iagree: with Bogus. That is a whole lot of work. I don't know what you could do with the Opti to get it to work with the old slower ECM you have in the '85. I know it wont work as is. An engine is an engine, so that much is the easy part. But getting the other stuff all wired up is the ugly part. Sell the '85 and buy a '92-96 if you are that set on it. Seems too much money for the end benefit.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,705
Likes: 5
From: OKC Oklahoma
Re: Engine swap LT1 into a 85 ? how many changes? (Goody)
:iagree: with Bogus. That is a whole lot of work. I don't know what you could do with the Opti to get it to work with the old slower ECM you have in the '85. I know it wont work as is. An engine is an engine, so that much is the easy part. But getting the other stuff all wired up is the ugly part. Sell the '85 and buy a '92-96 if you are that set on it. Seems too much money for the end benefit.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
Re: Engine swap LT1 into a 85 ? how many changes? (black85vette)
I am in the middle of this swap rite now. I am putting a LT1 in a 84 corvette and there are several things that differ depending on what the LT1 came out of and what all is included. my LT1 was a 5.7 out of a 95 F-body it was complete with Tranny,air cleaner, wiring harness and ECM and all sensors. I had to get the corvette LT1 assy bracket, A/C compressor, Power steering pump, and belt tensioner. I decided to stay with the 700R so I purchased a throttle/detent bracket from a 93 camaro ($15 new). The wiring harness has been reworked to be a simple 3 wire hook (150) up and the ECM was reprogramed for emisions delete, to work with the 700R tranny and for my LT4 hot cam. I sold my L83 and the 4L60E tranny that was origanly with the LT1 for $1500 and only paid $1200 for the LT1 so I am in pretty good shape money wise. I will have about $1000 out of pocket and that includes re-ringing the LT1. If you stay with the 700 you will either have to go with a wiring harness and ECM from a 92 or 93 or do what I did and buy a kit to lock the TC up without a CPU( I already had done this when I removed my crossfire and installed a carb on my L83). On the 85 your fuel pump and lines should be fine so the only other things I can think of is having a set of A/C lines made and have a second O2 bun installed because the LT1 has to have 2 O2 sensors ( I had to upgrade my fuel system to handle the Higher fuel presure)
