1996 GMC C1500 LT1 swap

[kiles_2001]

Hello everyone... so I have realized that going with a carburated 454 is more work and trouble than it is worth so I am contemplating my next best option, I am contemplating a 1996 LT1 from a camaro that I bought years ago from CL but never used it, I have most of the components minus a few things I can find on CL and ebay, I also do not have the computer or wiring harness but I found a guy on ebay that can make me a stand alone wiring harness and program an LT1 ecm for me, before anyone starts asking or suggesting the LS1, LS2 or any other LS engine I am doing the LT1 because I have it already...! on that note, has anyone done an LT1 swap? I did some research on it but no one gives any specific details on their build, what I also want to know is if anyone has any Idea on how I would make my stock gauges on my truck work with the LT1? can anyone PLEASE help me for I want to do this soon and dont want my truck to just sit dead in my garage... a little more info on my truck, it is a 1996 GMC 1500, regular cab, short bed, 2WD, 5.0 engine, automatic 4L60E and with that said please help!!!

[memphismatt]

Hi kiles. I don't have any experience with the lt1. But I am interested in your swap. I always thought of the lt1 as the pinnacle of what a small block could be. Good luck

[speedygonzales]

Your best chance of making it work will be to use the 94 ECM since it is OBDI. 95 Was also OBDI but it used the OBDII ALDL. 96 is obviously OBDII. The OBDII ECM will give you fits to get it running. Incidentally you don't want the 93 ECM since it was batch fired injectors. Not near as good as the following sequential fired injectors of the later years.

Many MANY people have had continued problems with the "opti spark" distributor located right behind the water pump on the front of the block. Mine never had a problem. What many people also did not realize was the cap and rotor of this distributor had to be changed as often as any other SBC distributor. Except that a cap and rotor for this engine (second generation SBC) cost $150 five years ago.

Another well known problem was the reverse coolant flow designed by engineers to get higher compression and still stay some what cool. In this engine the coolant is circulated to the heads first then the block. It has a "steam" pipe that allows coolant from one head to the other located in the back of the block. Unfortunately, many people still had problems with the coolant system becoming "air bound" and over heating and also blowing head gaskets.

I owned and understood an LT1 for many years. While it was a good engine, it was NOT a great engine. It has so many design issues, I could never EVER recommend it for anyone. The theft deterrent module alone is going to keep you awake at nights. On OBDII's it was known as BCM. It is a nightmare. There is bypasses for it. You would need to start there. The ECM will not work without having the signal from the BCM on and OBDII. Another reason I recommend using OBDI.

Even if you had the original ECM and the original harness that was used with the engine. You will have fits getting it to work. Without those things in your hand, you will never get it working correctly in any reasonable amount of time.

While I don't know your particular capability, I do know what a PITA this engine is. DON'T DO IT. You will be sorry in the end.

One last thing I wanted to point out. Currently you can purchase NEW from the factory Generation 1 SBC engines (one version is called the RamJet). You can purchase new generation 3, 4 and the latest 5th generation. What you can't buy is a new generation 2 engines which the LT1 is. There is a reason for that. Think about it.

[BigBlocksRule]

A carb'd 454 is more trouble than it's worth and you chose an LT1 instead?

They're amazingly underpowered, complicated, and have precious few aftermarket parts available for something that's supposed to be the cat's ass. You'll make more power with a Vortec 350 with a decent cam.

[cees]

don't waste your time if your gonna do a swap do a good one since you need a ecm and harness just find a cheap LS it will be worth it later. or a carbed 454 would be great all the power you'd need and its a simple setup. Make your time and work worth it.

[ccreddell]

LT1 works great in our trucks, and is an easy swap. There are quite a few who have done this, but Tinbender59 over on GM Ttruck Central has come up with the best way Ive seen so far. Im in the middle of rebuilding my LT1 and putting it in my 90 C1500, and Tin is helping me along. Check it out, he has 3 or 4 of these swaps under his belt.

http://forum.gmtruckcentral.com/show...500-Conversion

[cees]

I'm sorry but the later lt1's if that's what your talking about are a waste of time no power no torque and there heavy. BBC is worth more the time and money you put into a lt1 the big block with do that and more with just a cam rockers intake and good headers or the best route is a LS can't go wrong ever with that

[ccreddell]

Im referring to the 93-97 LT1s. Aluminum heads make their weight on par with 5.3s and 6.0s. And with a cam and some tuning they easily go over 400ft.lbs. Theyre 10.5 or so compression, and bolt in like stock. And with the TPI intake the torque just gets better and you do away with the Opti-spark. The TPI limits the RPMs to 55-5600 so theyll live forever. Ive never taken my truck past 5000 so I think Ill be just fine. Oh, and 20+ mpg...

[Txwildman]

A friend of mine did a LS1 in his 454ss he brought the truck with out a engine and added the LS1

[ccreddell]

Any progress on this?

[ironroad9c1]

Nice hot air intake...