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View Full Version : Anyone ever put an LT1 into a 3rd gen?

Mark B
05-18-2007, 10:16 AM
Hey everyone,
I am about to do this swap & am looking for tips/tricks. I have read all of the posts over at 3rdgen.org and have a pretty good handle on things. (I think) But I just wanted to talk to someone else who has done the swap and get some more advise.

Thanks,
Mark B
mtg6486
05-18-2007, 10:57 AM
why not an ls1?
Tru2Chevy
05-18-2007, 10:59 AM
why not an ls1?

$$$$$

- Justin
Mark B
05-18-2007, 11:02 AM
Justin hit it right on the head. The LS1 swap costs about 4k more than the LT1 swap in the end.
mtg6486
05-18-2007, 11:05 AM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-Camaro-Z28-Trans-AM-LS1-engine-w-6-speed-trans-51K_W0QQitemZ290116544161QQihZ019QQcategoryZ33615Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

i guess all the other parts add up
Mark B
05-18-2007, 12:29 PM
Yep & I am getting a 70k mile 96 LT1 for under $1000.
j0n
05-18-2007, 12:31 PM
Yep & I am getting a 70k mile 96 LT1 for under $1000.

fyi i bought a complete 100k lt1 in great shape with all accesories for less than 500
BonzoHansen
05-18-2007, 12:43 PM
J0n, you are a knowledgible LT1 guy. That is a pretty straight-forward swap, no (at least for an EFI to EFI application)? I have limited knowledge of LT1s, but engine mounts and exhaust manifolds/headers are the same as a SBC, no? Some fuel line adapters, maybe some rad hose routing issues? I guess the ECM harness would be the biggest PITA, and even that should be too hard. Maybe the throttle cable? LOL

Am I off base? Learn me!
j0n
05-18-2007, 12:58 PM
J0n, you are a knowledgible LT1 guy. That is a pretty straight-forward swap, no (at least for an EFI to EFI application)? I have limited knowledge of LT1s, but engine mounts and exhaust manifolds/headers are the same as a SBC, no? Some fuel line adapters, maybe some rad hose routing issues? I guess the ECM harness would be the biggest PITA, and even that should be too hard. Maybe the throttle cable? LOL

Am I off base? Learn me!

The fuel lines need to be modified. The motor mounts are all the same. The radiator needs to be swapped(due to reverse cooling of the lt1). Also, i believe you need the corvette serpentine assembly to retain a/c. Exhaust manifolds work fine and many shorty headers work as well. The biggest problem is splicing the lt1 wiring harness to the third gen dash harness, but there's people you can send your harnesses to that will perform the work for a couple hundred bucks.
BonzoHansen
05-18-2007, 01:03 PM
Good info, thanks.
V
05-18-2007, 01:14 PM
i put a 96 impala SS lt1 in my 79 vette. 6,609 original miles on that motor
Mark B
05-18-2007, 01:15 PM
The fuel lines need to be modified. The motor mounts are all the same. The radiator needs to be swapped(due to reverse cooling of the lt1). Also, i believe you need the corvette serpentine assembly to retain a/c. Exhaust manifolds work fine and many shorty headers work as well. The biggest problem is splicing the lt1 wiring harness to the third gen dash harness, but there's people you can send your harnesses to that will perform the work for a couple hundred bucks.

Are you sure the radiator needs to be swapped. I just bought a new one before my old motor took a crap.

From what I learned on 3rdgen.org the f-body ac will work, but you have to modifiy the crossmember a little bit. I am planning on having the harness modified for me. I want to make this swap as stress free as I can.
V
05-18-2007, 01:17 PM
lt1 coolant systems are reverse flow, meaning soemthign like the in for the rad has to be on the opposite site. i had my 79 rad cut and the tanks swapped and resoldered.
j0n
05-18-2007, 01:20 PM
lt1 coolant systems are reverse flow, meaning soemthign like the in for the rad has to be on the opposite site. i had my 79 rad cut and the tanks swapped and resoldered.

like paul said you need to do something with the radiator...that new one you just bought as it sits will be useless
Mark B
05-18-2007, 01:25 PM
Well that sucks.

To make this easy, will a 4th gen rad mount up to my 3rd gen brackets?
NJSPEEDER
05-18-2007, 03:02 PM
is it that the tanks on just on opposite sides or that the inlet and outlet are actually different?
if you all you need to is switch the inlet and outlet of the rad from side to side, i am pretty sure that the thirdgen V6 rads(same core, tank, and capacity as V8 rads) have the necks opposite of the V8's. that would make for an extremely easy swap with some stuff from the salvage yard and you can retain your stock fan set up.
89CamaroRS
05-20-2007, 11:56 AM
is it that the tanks on just on opposite sides or that the inlet and outlet are actually different?
if you all you need to is switch the inlet and outlet of the rad from side to side, i am pretty sure that the thirdgen V6 rads(same core, tank, and capacity as V8 rads) have the necks opposite of the V8's. that would make for an extremely easy swap with some stuff from the salvage yard and you can retain your stock fan set up.

if that's tru im gonna have a v6 rad outta an 89 rs that i cant use. ill let ya have it cheap mark. pm me.