What all would be needed to put an LT1 motor into a '89GTA that originally had a 350?

 

Do a search. There are a lot of extensive threads about this. The basics though include:

-Wiring- Swap harnesses and repin some connectors
-All computer stuff must be swapped as well
-If you're going to run AC, the frame will have to be notched
-LT1 Acc. must be used. It's rumored stock acc. will work but I haven't personally seen anyone do it
-Nothing much more than that, OBD1 is much easier to work with

Check out the motor swap forum on www.ThirdGen.Org

-Corey

 

L98 accessories won't work, the offset is different. I think it's easier to use the vette LT1 accessories when you do the swap though. I know they are supposed to work better when swapping an LT1 into a truck.

 

That was my impression too but I read of someone grinding some stuff here and there and it worked. I doubt it, but just something to look into. I think it was on TGO.

gillbot:
If you've got a 350 TPI in your car and don't have the LT1 yet, I wouldn't do the swap. Look at my webpage, page 9, and around www.LT1Intake.com You can have an LT1 powered SBC for a heck of a lot cheaper, and, best of all, no wiring issues/opticrap.

Not trying to start a debate, just throwing in my $.02

 

I agree with Rippin if you don't allready have the LT1. I think you could just use one of the modified lt1 intakes on. I myself like the miniram but for about the same production and like a 1/3 the cost in most cases I would do the LT1. Good luck with whatever you do.

Jake

 

Why are you doing that? What are you trying to gain? The LT1s are not that superior to the L98, SB for SB. Only on the intakes and you can easily fix that with better heads and HSR or Accel SR.

 

Only way I can think to make the L98 accessories work on an LT1 would be to fab up some kind of mount for a standard balancer and pulley. I'm guessing it would require fabrication cause I'm not totally sure of the differences between the crank snout of an LT1 crank and a SBC crank. But, since the LT1 uses a cam driven water pump, you'd also have to figure out some way to route the belt so it didn't have to have a water pump pulley and would still maintain proper contact with the other accessory pulleys. Basically, you'd be making things alot harder than they need to be.

 

it was actually pretty easy....a little time consuming but easy

 

So what exactly is involved?

 

Chris is intrigued now eh? I knew it was someone! I'm interested too.

MY91Y84: Didn't you leave two bolts out of one of the brackets as well?

 

Guess it depends on exactly how much effort is involved. Or, if you've got money, you could invest in a March pulley setup which mounts the AC up high. Plus, you get nice billet aluminum brackets and other shiny pieces. Pretty slick if ya ask me.

 

If you can get the LT1 setup cheap enough, you can go with that and have the intake drilled for the distributor and run your TPI electronics.
All you need to do is remove the opti and cover that hole in the timing cover.

Oh, and the LT1 drops right in, since it is the same size and shape as a regular sbc.

 

So what is the advantage of the LT1 if you are going to turn it into a L98 anyways?

 

Higher compression, aluminum heads, better cam, better internals, better intake design. That is about it really.

 

But for all that effort, having to swap out a ECM and wiring harness, couldn't you drop in a built motor that is better than the LT1?