So....I just bought and LT1/T56...

Yeah...I just purchased the combo and am anticipating putting it in. Does anyone have a web site or, anything that has "directions" or some help tips on the swap. My car is a TPI/ Automatic, so, I have quite a task before me. Any and all help would be just great. Thank you.

its not to bad just get the wiring harness diagram from shoebox. there's really not that much to it.

what are your plans for the car?

My overall plans for the car is to have a mid to high 12 sec car, that is still a comfortable daily driver but can be a fun toy as well. I do plan to freshen the LT1 up before the install. Doing a gasket rebuild, Optispark, tune up, timing chain, water pump. Things like that that are much easier to do while its out. I also plan on purchasing a set of headers for the car. Which brings me to my next question. Which headers do I buy? Do I buy TPI headers because they are shaped right for my car, or do I buy LT1 headers?

My overall plans for the car is to have a mid to high 12 sec car, that is still a comfortable daily driver but can be a fun toy as well. I do plan to freshen the LT1 up before the install. Doing a gasket rebuild, Optispark, tune up, timing chain, water pump. Things like that that are much easier to do while its out. I also plan on purchasing a set of headers for the car. Which brings me to my next question. Which headers do I buy? Do I buy TPI headers because they are shaped right for my car, or do I buy LT1 headers?
TPI headers and gaskets. Trust me.

TPI headers and gaskets. Trust me.

Methinks this character speaks from experience Methinks

Methinks this character speaks from experience Methinks
Could be true ;)

Could be true ;)

Probably only a *small* chance of that though, right ;)

I have another question. Just how much easier is it to use a Painless wiring harness rather than the stock LT1 harness? Is it worth the $350 or so that Painless is asking for it? Those of you have used painless, and have also done the swap or a similar swap w/o it let me know what you think? I guess what Im getting at is, with the Painless harness, just how many man hours will that save me?

I did not use the Painless harness, but I would assume it would save a lot of frustration. Try a search in the engine swap section over at Thirdgen.org that should answer your question.

painless is a waste of money. i can make a harness in an hour it almost stand alone as it is you just need power and vats removed. you can im me for help im more than expierenced in it since i made a few. clark2002jc.

all you have to have is a constant power wire and an ignition wire to the fuse box to run the pcm. then you have to wire the fuel pump, and the fans.

If you're gunning for 12's you'll probably want to do more than headers while the engine is out. Why not slap some heads or at least a more agressive cam in there?

check out my website,

http://www.geocities.com/texaslt1/lt1swap/swap.html

its not anywhere near complete, but will give you a basic idea of what its going to take. The electrical is the most "difficult" part of the swap, but even then its not too bad, just depends on how you do it.


Also, if you even need a hand with the swap, let me know and I can head over there. Baytown is only about an hour from here and I'm always out there at HRP.


High 12's are easy to attain. I was running very low 13's with Heddman shorty headers, Hotcam, 1.6 rockers, and Nitto's with 3.42 gears. Do 3.73 gears instead, longtube headers, and maybe an XE230/236 cam and you'd definitely be running 12's. Probably could do it without the longtubes.