Before I start removing the accesories off my vette, I would like a firm grasp of the tools needed and any shortcuts from you all.

The car is a 1992 coupe LT1 6 speed.

I think I have enough regular tools, sockets, engine hoist,
happy hooker, jack stands, air compressors tools...etc
Also I have the GM service manual book 1+2.

So I am asking if anyone has recorded or video taped, Pics with info regarding an engine pull.

Things I will have to do anyway remove Radiator with new dewitts, Remove Hood because I have helpers.

I have searched the site for info on this but nothing solid.

Also I hear it is easier too remove the tranny with the motor is this
True or False?

Plans on the engine include 383 all forged with the all the goodies, I not sure what is threshhold for the clutch is but you all can fill me in

Hp goal is 450.

Also I am open to a crate 383 I hear scoogie dickens has very good stuff but I am not sure if you can convert the obI computer to the crate motor??

Please I need help before I jump head first into this engine pull.

Thanks, Chad

P.S Locals in Phoenix AZ are charging 2000 alone for an engine replacement so I am willing to take the time and do this engine the right way. Myself

 

Here you go...Its easier to drop the tranny from under the car first and then pull the engine. I did it with the tranny(6speed)in the car and it was a bitch...Whish I would have just dropped the tranny first..

http://www.diabolicalperformance.com/427swapsteps.html

 

Dammn, where I use to work we would charge around $950 for a Vette..Its a lot of work, but not $2000 worth of work. You will have to wait for the LT1 guys to chime in about the 383 crate motor. I dont know squat about LT1's....Well maybe a little squat..

 

Drop the tranny from underneath and leave the hood in place.

As you can see, there's no need to remove the hood:





The OBD I computer can easily be tuned for a 383. You can either purchase the tuning software and do it yourself or you can go the mail order route. Keep in mind that by the time you buy the software and pay for wide band o2 sensor time on a chassis dyno, it's cheaper to go the mail order route. If you do the mail order route, you'll need to be willing to accept the 90% solution vs a dead on tune. Just depends on how comfortable you are with tuning it yourself.

 

I didnt take the hood off either...

 

I pulled mine with the hood on but removed the tranmission first. The C-Beam bolts on top can be a real pain in butt to get to especially if this is your first engine pull in a C4 (it was mine also). Plan for a little extra time under the car.

 

I am very impressed with your detailed link. That is outstanding and well done!

 

Would have been nice to have last fall, huh?

 

I've had that link in my favorates for over a year...One of those things I stumbled across in cyberspace...

 

Yup trans out the bottom motor out the top.

In a metro Area $2,000 is a deal

Not everyone works for minimum wage you know

 

The book hours is around 18hrs for an engine swap in a Corvette. At $65 an hour that is $1170.00. I can do it in 12hrs..

 

Boy are you right about that. My knuckles would have looked a lot better and Fred would have a little more fun. That day sucked!

 

I live in the phoenix area myself. There is a corvette shop called Bromleys on Chandler Blvd and the 101. Give him a call and see what his prices are. Another choice is Automasters, they work mainly with F Bodys but have also done many vets, also in chandler. Lastly if you are thinking about it yourself and need some extra help let me know. I have limited experience from working on my vet but would be interested in helping out with an engine pull. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the good info chriswtx hey are there many differences between that 90 with the L98 and the LT1 Engines / 6 speed? I would think it is fairly close in comparison to the L98

94brick: I am a live and learn kind of guy, I hate anyone working on a vehicle I can't fix myself But thanks for the offer I may take you up on it once I get all my ducks in order.

Q: I not sure on some of the Local builders here, AZ speed and marine seem good but there pricy and know one I called (4) Good builders would warranty there work which gets me very spooked since that means they will not stand by there work. But I need to do my homework before sinking the money into a quality 383. so if you can refer someone chime back here, Thanks, Chad

Keep them coming guys, I am keeping all the info.

Q: what is the height the car has to be on the stands inorder to pull the tranny out? Can you pull it with the engine? Thanks, Chad

 

The L98 and the LT1 are still based on the old 350 design. The LT1 had some upgrades...reverseflowing cooling, no distributor in the back(moved to the front, Optispark). And a few other minor changes...But as for just pulling the motor they are basicly the same...

 

Any other advice out there? Thanks Chad

 

Do you have to pull the radiator and ac evaporator on a LT1 to get the motor out?

 

I've got a 92 coupe 6 speed and just pulled my motor last week.

Didn't touch the radiator or the hood - I dropped the exhaust, headers, and driveshaft one day then dropped the transmission brace, transmission and pulled the engine the next day.

I don't think you can pull the engine with the transmission attached because of the crossbrace in front of the engine. There is no reason to mess with the hood I've heard they're a real bit@h to get alligned when you put them back on so better not to mess with it at all. I had the car on a lift but you could do everything with the car lower if you needed to. You can do it without opening up the AC.

 

I had to take the hood off because I didn't have the articulate thingamagig to tilt the engine while pull it off and put back on. I left the trans. in place and used long extension with a short 14 mm u-joint to take the bell housing bolts off, 6 total. It took forever for the top two to come out and back. Takes a lot of picture of where everything go, take your time and zip lock evey nuts, bolts and label them where they came from, take pictures where it came from also. Don't get lazy and skip taking picutre after a while because your hands are dirty, believed me those pictures will help a lot when you putting thing back and don't remember which part should go in first.

Its my second time pulling my L98 and still take much longer than plans. Started on Dec 23 and still not finish. But I only work on the car about 6 hrs a day, lately only 2 hrs. This is where all the pictures will help showing where everything are. Unless you have a friend with a LT1 Corvette for reference.

 

Did anyone mention the lifting device for the corvett that attaches to the intake manifold to remove engine?