LT-1 Swap

[RVT1000R]

How many of you have done the LT-1 swap? I would like to know how long it took and how hard it was.If you have pics that would be great. I am looking for a quick way to get the truck back on the road while I build my 388 stroker. Thanks guys.

[supermuble]

I don't know if this is any help, but my friend had an LT-1 in his mid 70's truck, and it ran great. The engine apparently bolted directly in, but the air conditioning pump hit the frame and could not be used. The stock exhaust manifolds were retained and there were no fitment issues. I don't know anything about the 700R4 (auto). I am new to Chevy's so I don't know if he had to modify the drive shaft.

In the end my friend decided that the engine wasn't easy enough to work on and it developed a lean condition. He has since decided to go to a 454 ci engine and make it look factory.

[shifty]

I wouldn't waste the time. LS1 swap will net more power, less problems with the engine. BUT if you gotta go LT1 and don't care about the problems with that engine, stock, then....

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...vytrucks%2ecom

Hit that. You can also click on the link in my signature - Look at the group of links in my signature.

User 'jaydawg' has an LT1 in his truck that is running. A few members have done it.

[Americanrider]

Good write up here

http://www.classicperform.com/tech_a...ngine-Swap.htm

[Werewolf]

He's right, to a point. An LS-1 will get you more power with smaller mods than the LT-1 will. But if you go into heads and a cam, then you're going to be getting about the same out of either engine. The biggest problem with the LT-1 engine is the distributor. That's the Achilles heel. Internally, though, the LT-1 is a very strong engine that shouldn't give you any issues.

Of course, the LT-1 is also cheaper than an LS-1. And if you're going to go LS-1, you may as well just go LS-2.

There's also the truck engines, the 4.8, 5.3, or 6.0. Or the 8.1 big block. Or maybe a Duramax diesel.

[shifty]

You can pick up one of the truck engines (LQ4? 4.8/5.3) with tranny in several places for less than $2500, and that is on a low-mileage (<30k miles). Someone was talking on the ls1tech forums recently about a salvage yard in TX with several of them for around $1200-1500 (engine only). You can put a 700R4 behind one also.

The tricky part about asking "how easy" is it, is this...when you look into the raw deal, you're going to spend about $1000-3000 on a drivetrain, then you can expect to spend anywhere from $500-2000 minimum on the installation and everything that goes along with it. Want an easy install? Those numbers get up there reaaaally quick.

I spent $3500 on my drivetrain. Supposedly had around 25k miles on it. I kid you not, I have probably dropped an additional $2000 in installation accessories, programming of PCM, hacking of harness, xmembers, engine/tranny mounts, tank, manifolds, fuel pump/filter/lines/adapters, intake tubes and filter, radiator, cooling fans, more adapters for things like gauges. hoses and other stuff than I can shake a stick at, sheet metal, nuts, bolts, new bushings needed for various worn out stuff I found along the way, and I dodged a few bullets like ... driveshaft, for one, yokes, brakes, other similar stuff. It adds up fast, $2000 is the number I'm giving you because I would probably be ashamed to admit the real number on the install is closer to the amount I spent on the engine/tranny to begin with.

Bottom line ... You say in your original post you are looking for a "quick way". Unless you have a couple grand laying around, there is no such thing as a "quick way" to get this setup up and going unless you go with an automatic tranny, carbed setup, and stuff an LS1 in, because the aftermarket support for GenIII engines really trumps that of GenII engines.

PS - there was a guy on the LS1tech forums last week selling four different full setups of an LQ4 engine (GenIII, 4.8?), some for under $1500. Prices were like 1200, 1500, 1700 and 2200 respectively, depending on mileage.

EDIT: PSS - if I would ahve went with an auto rather than a 6spd, my ass would be driving around right now. My major hangup has been fabbing up a clutch master cylinder bracket that is both properly functional AND looks good.

EDIT: PSSS - I forgot to mention - the numbers above do not reflect the $300 I spent on upgrades to power brakes, power steering, and a new steering column, which tosses in another ... $700 or so, possibly $800.

EDIT: PSSSS - I forgot yet again - 'were' above is correct. Toss some LT4 heads on your engine and LT4 intake and cam it, and I understand you can make damned good power from an LT1. I do not know how easy it is to run carb'd on an LT1 though (LS1 is easy, F.A.S.T makes all the stuff you need to do it, FWIW).

[RVT1000R]

Well I gess I will go with plan 1 the 388 stroker. Thanks for the help guys.

[70rs/ss]

Yeah, shifty I bought a 6.0 for 3500 w/5 miles on it and a 4l80e, but it'll cost me another grand to have the harness hacked and the PCM done and that is without the mounts etc. The 6.0 is still sitting on the crate it was shipped to me on. I have an lt1 as well and painless sells a harness for $500-600 and if run in stock configuration it'll plug and play. Not a real hassle as the GENII is very similar to the GENI and bolt right in so it is easy to put an LT1 in and run in stock or the LT4 (which is a stock Vette version) as the computer from an lt4 Vette will run an Lt4 upgraded Lt1 without a reprogram. The Lt1 is actually easier and cheaper than an LS1 but what fun would it be to put in 13 year old technology when the new stuff is state of the art? I say the LT1 is great in stock driver form, if you want infinate add on ability use the LS1 platform. I see the LT1 I have going in one of my trucks, stock w/aluminum heads and the 6.0 in another w/a huffer!!!

[Rokcrln]

So are all vett motors LT4's! I have one out of a 93 vett and always thought it was an LT4 but it does have a 4 bolt main, alum heads and was told the HP is around 360 with headers and the new computer.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[chevybill]

If the 93 vette engine is out of a basic model corvette it is definitely a LT-1.
The LT4 engine would come in a later model car than a 93, unless it was a high performance vette.

[70rs/ss]

Lt4 was a 95 or 96, what I meant was that with stock vettes coming with Lt4 that a replacement comp could be bought and or the stock Lt1 comp could be reburned with the Lt4 program. All vette Lt1 and 4 had aluminum heads, so the real difference is that the Lt4 has a red intake instead of black, just for visual ID, inside, bigger cam, better heads and springs, and the intake flows more air!

[Werewolf]

Yeah, LT-4's have a red intake, and only the high performance Corvettes, like the Z06, had LT-4's to the best of my knowledge. LT-1's out of Corvettes had higher HP figures than LT-1's out of the Camaro, etcetera. If the 360hp figure is at the rear wheels, it's an LT-4. Given that it's a 4 bolt, it's probably an LT-4, as I believe most LT-1's are two bolt.

I've got a mild cam (similar to Comp. Cams 204) in my T/A, and am looking to get a set of AFR heads (better than LT-4's) in the next year or two. $2500 for heads alone, and they want my cores! Ouch!

[Fastfun]

All Corvette LT's were 4 bolt mains and the LT4 came in the Corvette Gran Sport. Check out this link for everything you want to know about the differences in the LT1. http://www.automotiverebuilder.com/ar/ar99928.htm