Pros and cons of LT1? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

krue · 08-01-2003, 02:01 PM

I know where a LT1 from a wrecked camaro with tranny and wires, computer etc can be had for $1500 and I was wondering what else I would need to put it in my 70, and generally what the good and bad points of the swap are.

PS I could use some good arguments to chisel the money out of my wife while ya'll are at it!

Charlie Coleman · 08-01-2003, 04:07 PM

I can't think of any cons. You will need to convert to an electric fuel pump.....but most everything is simple, just time consuming.

Sell the wife on the fuel mileage, better for the environment (less polution), less tune ups, and above all, it's just cooler than the neighbors project.

Good luck!

GasHog396 · 08-01-2003, 05:59 PM

As the owner of a LT-1 powered '97 Trans Am, I can give you a few of the problems I have encountered over the years and some suggestions. The intake manifold has a tendency to leak oil. It's not too hard to fix once the engine is out of the car. The Opti-Spark unit is expensive to replace (over $100). Just keep it dry, as water seems to make them go out. Mine has been fine so far, but it looks like they usually give up the ghost at around 120k miles on average. Go for a 96 or 97 style unit if it needs to be replaced. Water pumps last about 70k miles on average. They are about $135 at Auto Zone with a lifetime warrantee. Electric fans will be needed, as there is no way to install a belt driven unit. Try to get the radiator and fans from the Camaro and install them as a unit into the truck. A F-body LT-1 will require premium gas. PCM (computer) modifications will probably be need to make the engine run correctly, and to make the trans shift right (if it is an auto trans). F-bodies use an electrical speedometer, so a conversion unit will be needed for the truck. I would personally install a 160 degree thermostat to make it run cooler, expecially in the summer. My T/A will get to 220 in traffic with the stock 180 thermostat, but will only get to 180 with the cooler thermostat. Just make sure to use a thermostat designed for the reverse flow LT-1. Unless you are really good with wiring, save yourself some grief and pop for a wiring harness from a company like Painless. A VATS (security feature) by-pass module or a custom PCM reflash will be needed. The cat converters will need to be retained if you live in a part of the country that has emissions testing as you may have to meet the emission requirements for that year engine, not the truck it is in. Of coarse, it all depends on who you know. As a side note, if you don't want to get into all of this, you could always resell the motor at a profit. $1500 is cheap if the mileage isn't too high. These engines/trans combos usually start around $2500 used. One really nice thing about this combo, is you would probably get 20+ MPH on the highway, as long as the rear end ratio is reasonable. Gotta love that OD trans.

krue · 08-01-2003, 06:28 PM

I have around a 307 rear gear. The car is a wrecked 97 Camaro, I just checked, I can get the whole car for $1600. I don't know how many miles, but it's been sitting for 2 years now.

GasHog396 · 08-01-2003, 08:29 PM

A 3.08 rear would put you at about 1400 RPM +/-100 at 70 MPH. I don't like the fact that the engine has sat around for 2 years, but if it looks 'clean' it's probably okay. (clean as in clean oil, trans fluid not burnt and clear, etc..) 97s used OBD2 diagonistics, so try to fine a code scanner and see if the PCM threw any codes. You will have to hook up a battery to do that. If you have the key, turn the ignition to 'run' to turn on the odometer (if its digital like mine). Any front end damage should be looked at closely, as it could have pushed the radiator back into the engine, MAF, throttle body, etc.. $1600 sounds like a great price for the entire car. I wish I could find a deal like that. I would love to stroke a LT-1 for my T/A. There's just no replacement for displacement.

jay-dawg · 08-02-2003, 05:16 AM

good info here:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=52057

good luck

jay

krue · 08-02-2003, 05:09 PM

ttt

jcueckert13 · 08-03-2003, 02:03 AM

the only con i can think of is instaling all the wiring and sensors

krue · 08-03-2003, 09:04 PM

If he still has it on the 15th I am gonna go for it!

08-01-2003, 02:01 PM	#1
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Pros and cons of LT1? I know where a LT1 from a wrecked camaro with tranny and wires, computer etc can be had for $1500 and I was wondering what else I would need to put it in my 70, and generally what the good and bad points of the swap are. PS I could use some good arguments to chisel the money out of my wife while ya'll are at it! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

08-01-2003, 05:59 PM	#3
GasHog396 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ponder, TX Posts: 33	As the owner of a LT-1 powered '97 Trans Am, I can give you a few of the problems I have encountered over the years and some suggestions. The intake manifold has a tendency to leak oil. It's not too hard to fix once the engine is out of the car. The Opti-Spark unit is expensive to replace (over $100). Just keep it dry, as water seems to make them go out. Mine has been fine so far, but it looks like they usually give up the ghost at around 120k miles on average. Go for a 96 or 97 style unit if it needs to be replaced. Water pumps last about 70k miles on average. They are about $135 at Auto Zone with a lifetime warrantee. Electric fans will be needed, as there is no way to install a belt driven unit. Try to get the radiator and fans from the Camaro and install them as a unit into the truck. A F-body LT-1 will require premium gas. PCM (computer) modifications will probably be need to make the engine run correctly, and to make the trans shift right (if it is an auto trans). F-bodies use an electrical speedometer, so a conversion unit will be needed for the truck. I would personally install a 160 degree thermostat to make it run cooler, expecially in the summer. My T/A will get to 220 in traffic with the stock 180 thermostat, but will only get to 180 with the cooler thermostat. Just make sure to use a thermostat designed for the reverse flow LT-1. Unless you are really good with wiring, save yourself some grief and pop for a wiring harness from a company like Painless. A VATS (security feature) by-pass module or a custom PCM reflash will be needed. The cat converters will need to be retained if you live in a part of the country that has emissions testing as you may have to meet the emission requirements for that year engine, not the truck it is in. Of coarse, it all depends on who you know. As a side note, if you don't want to get into all of this, you could always resell the motor at a profit. $1500 is cheap if the mileage isn't too high. These engines/trans combos usually start around $2500 used. One really nice thing about this combo, is you would probably get 20+ MPH on the highway, as long as the rear end ratio is reasonable. Gotta love that OD trans. __________________ '67 1/2 Ton Short Bed / 396 cid / AC w-R134a / 5 Lug Leaf spring rear axel / 5 Lug Frt Disk Brake Conversion '97 Trans Am - Black / LT-1 / K&N FIPK Cold Air Kit / Hooker Cat-Back Exhaust / 160 Thermostat '02 Buick Regal GS / Bone Stock

08-01-2003, 06:28 PM	#4
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	I have around a 307 rear gear. The car is a wrecked 97 Camaro, I just checked, I can get the whole car for $1600. I don't know how many miles, but it's been sitting for 2 years now. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

08-01-2003, 08:29 PM	#5
GasHog396 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ponder, TX Posts: 33	A 3.08 rear would put you at about 1400 RPM +/-100 at 70 MPH. I don't like the fact that the engine has sat around for 2 years, but if it looks 'clean' it's probably okay. (clean as in clean oil, trans fluid not burnt and clear, etc..) 97s used OBD2 diagonistics, so try to fine a code scanner and see if the PCM threw any codes. You will have to hook up a battery to do that. If you have the key, turn the ignition to 'run' to turn on the odometer (if its digital like mine). Any front end damage should be looked at closely, as it could have pushed the radiator back into the engine, MAF, throttle body, etc.. $1600 sounds like a great price for the entire car. I wish I could find a deal like that. I would love to stroke a LT-1 for my T/A. There's just no replacement for displacement. __________________ '67 1/2 Ton Short Bed / 396 cid / AC w-R134a / 5 Lug Leaf spring rear axel / 5 Lug Frt Disk Brake Conversion '97 Trans Am - Black / LT-1 / K&N FIPK Cold Air Kit / Hooker Cat-Back Exhaust / 160 Thermostat '02 Buick Regal GS / Bone Stock

08-02-2003, 05:16 AM	#6
jay-dawg chevelito Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI USA Posts: 1,609	good info here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=52057 good luck jay __________________ New deadline...when my son can drive. Aloha from Honolulu, HI

08-01-2003, 04:07 PM	#2
Charlie Coleman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Franktown, CO. USA Posts: 533	I can't think of any cons. You will need to convert to an electric fuel pump.....but most everything is simple, just time consuming. Sell the wife on the fuel mileage, better for the environment (less polution), less tune ups, and above all, it's just cooler than the neighbors project. Good luck!

08-02-2003, 05:09 PM	#7
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	ttt __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

08-03-2003, 02:03 AM	#8
jcueckert13 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Edgewood New Mexico Posts: 2,088	the only con i can think of is instaling all the wiring and sensors __________________ 1990 subaru legcy (daily driver) 1987 Toyota 4runner (weekend toy) 1968 C30 flatbed dually 1970 C10 longbed stepside (in pieces) 1976 Dodge Dart 1963 Dodge Dart

08-03-2003, 09:04 PM	#9
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	If he still has it on the 15th I am gonna go for it! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"



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