LT1 swap, should I?

[Johnny Blaze]

Here's the deal. I have a 1971 camaro. The build plan is mild pt/ driver.
It currently has a tired 1990 350 truck motor with a performer intake, 600 edelbrock and headers.
On my daily commute, it averages 16mpg.



I would like to build a new engine, with a goal of 400 flywheel hp, or close, and to get milage up to at least 20, with a goal of 25mpg.

I could rebuild the 350, and a roller cam, vortec heads, however, I have access to a complete lt1 and 4l60e, wiring, ECM, etc from a roadmaster.

For the same money I can rebuild the lt1, and already have efi.

I know in the days of lsx, an lt1 swap seems silly, but in reality I can accomplish this for thousands of dollars less than a lsx swap.


So, any advice?
Will the lt1 meet my goals?
Anything to look Out for if doing such a swap?

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

is the lt1 free?

[CapSS92]

I used an LT1 from a Roadmaster also in my 65 Chevelle with a Tremec 5 speed and stock 3.31 gears. It was pretty easy to do and like you said, a lot less than the LSx conversions. That being said I have a junkyard LS1 that I will eventually rebuild and install, as time and money allows. I used lt1swap.com for the wiring info and it fit pretty easily into the car. I used a set of SBC long tube ceramic coated headers that I had laying around and they've worked fine. The car runs pretty fast and I use it as a daily driver. 11k miles and no major issues. Don't scrimp on the waterpump and Optispark. Got them from Autozone with the lifetime warranty as I used a cheapie Optispark in the beginning and it would die after running for 30-45 minutes. Changed it to the Autozone one and it's worked fine since. I had the software and equipment to reprogram the computer so I fine tuned it to my needs. You can actually drop the MAF thru programming if you want a cleaner look. As for mileage, I get about 14-15mpg in the city. I think a lot of it has to do with the Flowmaster mufflers. I can't seem to take off normally from every stoplight. <g> Damn roar of the exhaust gets me going every time. <evil grin> If I had a lighter foot I could probably do better on mileage but then I wouldn't be as happy driving the Chevelle. Oh almost forgot. Mounting an AC compressor is a hassle. It seems you may have to notch the frame if you use a stock AC compressor. Forget about aftermarket solutions unless you want to go with an Alan Grove setup or something similiar. It kinda negates the low cost aspect. If you're not running AC you can use an AC delete pulley. They run about $40-50 on ebay. I used one so that I can always find a stock belt at any auto parts store. Hope this helps.

Alex

[Johnny Blaze]

Yeah, after scraping the car, I should come out with less than $300 in the entire setup.

[Johnny Blaze]

As much as I would love to build an lsx, cost is just too much for me, either way you go. Or end up with a used assembly.

Basically, I can rebuild my smallblock, and tune the heck out of a carb, or spend $1000 on efi,
or for nearly the same cost, rebuild the lt1 and already have efi.

Or I just install the 12:1 427 and say screw mpg!

[CapSS92]

I personally like EFI. It starts everytime I turn the key and I don't have to worry about messing with anything. I'm not a carb guy and I had a really hard time when the Chevelle had a carb. There's no warm up time with the car and the loud mufflers give me plenty of old school muscle car feel for me. Plus I like the modernization aspect of it. I've also installed a mirror that autodims and has a built in garage door opener, the trunk is electric, I made my version of the DSE multispeed wipers, the instrument cluster is from a 95 Camaro so I've got all the gauges working including the warning lights, the windows are one touch electric, and I don't use keys to turn on the car as I built an RFID system. I use a little key fob to activate the car. So the efi fits. LOL.

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

I'm pretty much doing the same thing with my 67 Camaro. Several months back I got a 97 Trans Am with 90k miles that was slightly tweaked. Bought the car, parted it and got all my money back. I'm going to use as much of the T/A stuff as I can, including trying the pedals as I've gotten to like the pedal positioning in my 98 T/A. I like the LT1 in that it will bolt right in, other than the A/C compressor. I figure for this kind of racing I don't need insane horsepower, at least more than I will have to worry about building this LT1 to non-emissions compliance. After it proves itself it'll get heads, intake, and cam. The LS1 is a great motor, but I'm actually looking forward to the LT1 swap as it will be something different, and I'd like to show it to be a worthy powerplant.

[minendrews68]

Dang capSS92 I believe we need to talk.....

Carl

[CapSS92]

Sure Carl, always glad to be of help to the community. I used to convert LT1 93-96 Camaro clusters for the 94-96 Impala guys back in the day. I like the look of them plus it fit right into the Chevelle's dash. I like to use as much stock stuff as I can so I can always get replacements easily. The local Pull-a-Part is my second home.

Alex

[alocker]

Rebuilding the LT1 is is where a junkyard ls starts to catch up. The lt1 is great, I have swapped one myself but spending the cash to rebuild would be a deal killer. I would rather find a nice running 6.0 and throw a cam in it.

[130fe]

Alex, like that gauge setup! I also just put in a gentex rear view mirror with auto dim, compass, temp and garage door opener. I am trying to update my car to newer standards as much as I can, not much 68 left in my car LOL

I used to have an LT1/4L60e until I recently swapped in the LS3. As a cruiser car, it was fun to drive and very dependable. In the end you just have to make sure what you want out of your car. If you are looking for a 400rwhp car the LT1 might not be the way to go. I had a hot cam in it and it was a great engine that got 20 mpg and I had no issues doing a couple of Power Tour long hauls.

The LT was ok but the aftermarket is nearly non existent. A stock 5.3 puts out about the same power as my hotcammed LT and you can do a lot more with the 5.3. Are you converting the wiring yourself? The fuel system for both engines is about the same. If you have to rebuild the LT, then I would recommend the LS series.

[130fe]

One other thing to consider is are you positive you have an LT1? Some of those cars had a L99- the 4.3 version of the LT1. Externally they look identical. I think you can check one of the digits of the VIN. Wouldn't want to go through all of that trouble for a 200hp 4.3.

[Bonehead]

As far as I'm concerned, the only LT1 that exists can be found in new Corvettes and Silverados. To which I'd say, HELL YES SWAP IT!!!!!!!

;)

[Johnny Blaze]

Rebuilding the LT1 is is where a junkyard ls starts to catch up. The lt1 is great, I have swapped one myself but spending the cash to rebuild would be a deal killer. I would rather find a nice running 6.0 and throw a cam in it.

But then your comparing a fresh rebuilt lt1 cost, to a used unkown ls.

With a junkyard 6.0, I'd still have to get the proper accessory drive, oil pan, intake, ls specific trans, mounts, headers, etc


Truely price a junkyard ls swap, you ain't doing it for $2k like people often think.

[alocker]

But then your comparing a fresh rebuilt lt1 cost, to a used unkown ls.

With a junkyard 6.0, I'd still have to get the proper accessory drive, oil pan, intake, ls specific trans, mounts, headers, etc


Truely price a junkyard ls swap, you ain't doing it for $2k like people often think.

You are absolutely correct. There is also an unknown even with a newly assembled rebuild. Finding a used LS from a reputable seller is pretty easy though.

You have to really ask yourself what your end goal is. My first EFI swap was an LT1 with a CC306 cam and ported heads. It was a fun car but in the end I wanted more and I ended up swapping in and LY6 6.0. I would have saved a bit if I had done the LS swap first. If you know 100% for sure you won't want anything else, the LT1 is a great choice and very reliable. The big problem is rebuilding a motor the right way is expensive. I know a whole car for $300 sounds like a great deal, but you have to make sure it's what you will be happy with long term.

[Johnny Blaze]

I am trying to keep this a mild driver.
I'm finishing up the 55 bel air with a 8/71 blown BBC, so I don't need two cars with huge hp and poor manners.

As stated in first post, goal is drivability and milage.

Adding all up, rebuilding lt1 is still cheaper than swapping a junkyard ls, so budgetwise gen 1 or lt1 are my best options.


No ac so I don't have to worry about that clearance issue.

Later if I got tired of the lt1 power and wanted big power, it would be easy to drop my built 427.

I'd love to build an ls, and have weighted the options, turbo 5.3, lq4 with l92 heads,etc....

But cost still adds up temendously with ls swaps, even with junkyard parts, and you have just that, a used junkyard engine.

[jasonsnova]

gotta say your mpg wants are on the very high side for a lt1, this project screams ls/ junk yard 5.3! 5.3's can be had dirt cheap, get one complete with accessories, maybe swap in a cam and your gonna be where you want to be on the cheap.

[Johnny Blaze]

20-25 mpg is very high for am lt1?

I get 16 out of a tired carbed 350 without od.

An lt1 with od should get better, I would think.

[NJSPEEDER]

LT1's don't get the mileage of the LS motors. Better than a carb but not by a lot.

Honestly I would rather do a gen1 engine with aftermarket EFI or an LS motor than deal with the LT1. For the grand or so more you will end up spending on either you get a vastly more reliable ignition system and tons more aftermarket support. Not to mention how much dropping 100+ lbs with an aluminum blocked LS will do for mpg and performance.

-Tim

[NJSPEEDER]

The cheap path to an LS conversion is buying an old f-body. The engines are good for tons of miles so even if it has close to or a bit over 100k on it you will have several years of service left. Part out or use the bits you don't need to recoup costs and pay for the aftermarket parts you need for the swap. Just look around craigslist or any f-body site to see what people are getting for trim and other parts.