LT1 Motor Swap

[77ChevySharkBite]

Hey guys, just wanting to see if anyone has done an LT1 swap in a square and see what they think about it? I'm considering taking out my 305 and doing an LT1 swap.

I appreciate all the help guys!

[77c10]

I have a 77 C10 that has an LT1 from a 95 Z-28 in it. I did not do the swap, the previous owner did. If I had to do it over I would go with an LS swap or put a regular small block in it.

[1981Stepside]

I did one from a 96 caprice. Check the build thread. The physical swap was easy. The wiring was a PITA.
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[77ChevySharkBite]

Originally Posted by 77c10

I have a 77 C10 that has an LT1 from a 95 Z-28 in it. I did not do the swap, the previous owner did. If I had to do it over I would go with an LS swap or put a regular small block in it.

Why is that? Just doesn't have the power you expected?

Originally Posted by 1981Stepside

I did one from a 96 caprice. Check the build thread. The physical swap was easy. The wiring was a PITA.
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I'm not too concerned about the wiring, I'm just trying to weigh my options.

I'm thinking of doing the LT1 or go with the Vortec 5.3 or 6.0 motor.

[1981Stepside]

I would go withtl the 6.0 if you have the chance. The lt1 is nice - dropped in place like any other iron sbc, but if I wasnt building the truck on a budget, I totally would have gone with an ls motor. I feel that they have more punch right out of the box, and it seems easier to get more performance out of them and keep them streetable.
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[77ChevySharkBite]

Thanks man!

Yeah I'm going to keep an eye out for a 6.0 if the deal is right I called a local junkyard today, they have a 6.0 just the motor they want $1,500. So I'm probably going to end up running either a 5.3 or 6.0 Vortec motor that comes out of the silverado/sierra. I really would like the 6.0 but the price has to be right.

[77c10]

My Lt1 makes plenty power in stock form. At anything under a 25mph punch it will light the tires up. Mine has aluminum heads. Parts are not as cheap for this as they are for a "normal" small bock. I have been wanting to swap cams in mine for a couple years but can't bring myself to spend the $750 + that is required for a cam kit. I forsee a LS in mine in the near future.

[77ChevySharkBite]

OUCH!! 750 for a cam kit?!?! That's insane, yeah I'm definitely staying away from the LT1 now, it's either going to be an LS or Vortech though I'd really like the Vortech motor.

[Bigdav160]

That would be for the "hot cam" kit.

Cam, springs, roller rockers plus the retainers and keepers.

There are other (normal priced) choices out there

[77c10]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

That would be for the "hot cam" kit.

Cam, springs, roller rockers plus the retainers and keepers.

There are other (normal priced) choices out there

You are correct, I did not mention the price was for a hot cam.

[77ChevySharkBite]

77c10 what kind of mpg you getting out of your LT1, and what upgrades do you have?

[77c10]

My motor is stock internally. Only aftermarket items are headers, aluminum intake, holley 4 barrel and HEI distributor.

On a road trip I get around 15MPG in it.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Not too bad, thanks for the info bro!

Wait so is your LT1 carbed, or tbi? Because I was under the impresson they were FI?

[77c10]

Originally Posted by 77ChevySharkBite

Not too bad, thanks for the info bro!

Wait so is your LT1 carbed, or tbi? Because I was under the impresson they were FI?

From the factory they are injected. The previous owner changed it to carbed and did away with the optispark and put a distributor in it.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Originally Posted by 77c10

From the factory they are injected. The previous owner changed it to carbed and did away with the optispark and put a distributor in it.

Oh okay thanks man! I really appreciate you commenting and giving me advice on it.

[77c10]

No problem. Don't get me wrong, they are good power plants but if I had to do it over myself I would go another route.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Yeah, well I had been doing a little bit of reading and I remember the LT1's use to come in Camaro's 80-90's if I remember correctly. Like it states I'm thinking of doing a motor swap to get something newer more reliable, and get some power without going into debt well I know everyone is typically doing a LS swap and for what I was wanting at a shop here in Houston, I was looking at 15k for an LS3 and 4L80E installed and everything done. I then remembered about the Vortec, so I was seeing what people thought of the LT1, which just like you stated everyone has said the same thing it's a good motor but they would go another route, so I'm going to probably go with the Vortec

[Jonboy]

I bought a '79 that had an LT1 swap done on it also. It was still injected. The party that did the swap got it about 80%, but it had an engine fire and toasted the wiring up top. I got it after the harness had been repaired (kind of), but it ran. Injected with the 4L60E, it got around 20 on the highway and had pretty decent power, too. I don't know that I would do one if I didn't have it already,

[77ChevySharkBite]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

I bought a '79 that had an LT1 swap done on it also. It was still injected. The party that did the swap got it about 80%, but it had an engine fire and toasted the wiring up top. I got it after the harness had been repaired (kind of), but it ran. Injected with the 4L60E, it got around 20 on the highway and had pretty decent power, too. I don't know that I would do one if I didn't have it already,

Thanks Jonboy, yeah I'm not afraid to do the work but I just want to know if it's worth my time. And as you've seen most people on here and I've asked a few other individuals that have restored cars they say it's not really worth it. That there is better bang for you bucks on the markets.

[bohmankid]

I had an LT1 Camaro and it ran great. They're cool motors, but not much room for tuning capabilities. I also thought about putting an LT1 in my truck, but ultimately swapped a 5.3 vortec. It's a very straightforward swap, cost me $2500 to finish.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Originally Posted by bohmankid

I had an LT1 Camaro and it ran great. They're cool motors, but not much room for tuning capabilities. I also thought about putting an LT1 in my truck, but ultimately swapped a 5.3 vortec. It's a very straightforward swap, cost me $2500 to finish.

Yeah I'm going to want it tuned to get some umpff! behind it and that's where I've been told that it's best to go to the vortec. I found a Vortec 6.0 for $1,500 of course right now I don't have that in my bank otherwise I would have me that motor lol

[Jonboy]

I have around $2500 in my LS swap so far also, and it hasn't seen the truck yet. I changed trucks, so the CTS-V oil pan and related parts probably aren't as necessary this time, but I will leave them anyhow. It should be a cool swap, though.

As far as the LS swap goes, finding an LS f-body around here on the cheap is pretty easy. The nice thing about the LS is that it will sit exactly where your small block now resides, and the exhaust and all will work too. If you think about it, that engine was rated at 275 HP in the F body, and that was with lousy packaging- the intake tubing is severely restricted, and the exhaust isn't much better. Putting that in a truck, I would bet on around 240-250 at the wheels. I doubt a stock 5.3 would fare a lot better. Just me, but I would do an aftermarket harness either way, so that is a non issue. I would think it would come down to what you want. An LT1 in a truck is still a pretty "gee whiz, how did you do that?" type of thing; you definitely don't see it everyday. It just depends on what you want.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

I have around $2500 in my LS swap so far also, and it hasn't seen the truck yet. I changed trucks, so the CTS-V oil pan and related parts probably aren't as necessary this time, but I will leave them anyhow. It should be a cool swap, though.

As far as the LS swap goes, finding an LS f-body around here on the cheap is pretty easy. The nice thing about the LS is that it will sit exactly where your small block now resides, and the exhaust and all will work too. If you think about it, that engine was rated at 275 HP in the F body, and that was with lousy packaging- the intake tubing is severely restricted, and the exhaust isn't much better. Putting that in a truck, I would bet on around 240-250 at the wheels. I doubt a stock 5.3 would fare a lot better. Just me, but I would do an aftermarket harness either way, so that is a non issue. I would think it would come down to what you want. An LT1 in a truck is still a pretty "gee whiz, how did you do that?" type of thing; you definitely don't see it everyday. It just depends on what you want.

Thanks for all the info man! I'd like to meet up see you project one day!

Yeah and that's what I'm going for something that's not seen everyday and is a how'd he do that. Yeah the LS is a very solid motor I'll say that, I mean with everyone's advice and things I've read I'm not likely to do the LT1, but I would really like to do the Vortec 6.0 swap, I was looking found some fairly cheap, plus I know there's a few vortec swaps too but not a lot. I will say this though if I came across an LS for the price I was going to pay for the Vortec 6.0, I'd have to get the LS.
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[ironroad9c1]

LT1's tune just as well as any LS.. and you don't get ripped off on parts like you do for an LS motor, ex. plug wires,, for an LS is outrageous.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

The LT1 is a very good option for people like me who are well bought into the classic sbc, but want a cheap performance motor.

A Lt1 with full bolt-ons can get pretty close to 350 hp, and have a mountain of torque to go with it. Plus if you truck has bolt-ons or a hot distributor the LT1 can use them if you want to go carb'd. Plus the GMPP manifold offer about another 30hp over the stock set-up.