Mmmk. I got a hold of an 350 engine block from an 1992 Ex-police Caprice. What I was wondering was that if I was to take that block, build it up with all the goodies, and put it in my '95 Z, all the sensor holes would be in the same spots, everything would line up, and I would be happy. However, I am not too sure on this, and need some input. Thanks in advance.

 

are you going to use your top end or use different heads intake and induction if im correct lt1 heads will not work on this block the lt1 is a reversed cooled engine most of the sensors should be the same (oil pressure,knock sensor) still dont think it will work without spending some dollars and going with aftermarket fuel injection or a carb. and different heads and intake

 

Why would you want to swap the Gen 1 SBC block for the Gen 2 SBC block that you already have? What is the purpose, intended end use? What do you feel that you need to accomplish that you can not do with the current engine?

You will be faced with the typical problems.... fitting the distributor under the cowl, adopting the "conventional" cooling to the reverse flow radiator setup, coming up with a source for the high and low res Opti pulses that the stock 95 PCM needs to function, coming up with a carb setup or some sort of fuel injection system that would replace the stock setup, since you won't have the sequential option.

Again, if you note you end use/purpose, it becomes an easier question to answer.

 

I suppose I should have stated that I wish to retain the heads and intake from the original engine. I would like to know if this is possible to do without finding an LT1 block, for the simple reason is I would have to buy a complete wrecked car to obtain a block. As of right now, that's waaaay out of my price range. It was to my understanding that the only difference that the LT1 engine had to other motors was the aluminum heads. But seeing how I want to keep the original aluminum heads and intake, I fail to see how this would hinder me. So far as I know, all the locations for the sensors and such are in the proper locations. By all means, this would be assembled and able to drop right in. The ADP Hollander program has stated that any 350 engine BLOCK from 1986 to 1996 could be used as a direct substitute for the LT1 block. This program could be outta whack, so I figure that you guys would know more on this subject.

 

Aside from the aluminum heads, you're forgetting the main difference. LT1's are reverse-cooled. But it's possible to use a Gen 1 block with the LT1 heads/intake/etc. Check out this:
http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/show...hreadid=178262

-Rippin

 

So I can use the Gen I block with the LT1 heads, I just have to make sure to plug up those extra two coolant passages so coolant doesn't flow into the lifter valley. This is all new to me, I'm a little 'old school' and used to the iron stuff. Thanks for the info, and if anyone has anything else to add, I'm all ears.

 

If you are trying to keep your 1995 sequential fuel injection, you are missing the other key difference on the Gen 2 SBC.... the OptiSpark distributor. The stock 95 PCM will not function without the low res pulse from the Opti. You can not put an Opti on the front of a Gen 1 SBC... that is a key difference that you skipped right over. You could swap to a 3rd Gen MPFI setup, batch fire, etc.

 

So, I guess I'm gonna scrap the whole idea until I can get ahold of the correct block. Now what am I going to do this winter......

By the way, thanks for the help and info everyone.

 

Okay, what if I was to use a 93 350 block, use an LT1 camshaft to keep the optispark, weld the holes shut in the heads to prevent the lifter valley from becoming an ocean, and kept the sequential fuel injection?

 

Still very confusing. A "93 350 block" from what? A "93 350 block" from a Corvette or an F-Body is a Gen 2 (LT1/LT4) block. A 93 350 from a Caprice or a Vortech truck engine will be a Gen 1 engine, and will not accept the OptiSpark distributor. It's not a matter of using the "cam" from an LT1.... its a matter of the "hole" for the Opti being present on the front of the block.

What do you consider as "heads and intake from the original engine."? Do you mean you want to keep the heads and intake from your 95? If so, they bolt directly to any Gen 2 block. Do you mean the heads and intake from the "1992 Ex-police Caprice. " Was it a 305 or 350 engine?

Until you get more specific about what block and what heads you are trying to marry, I don't see how anyone can help you.

Or maybe I'm the only one who is confused

 

Maybe this will help

if the front of your block does not look like THIS you will not be able to use it ina LT1 application with the stock PCM and Motor mounts

 

Very sorry about all the confusion. I now understand that the Gen 1 block carries through to 96, unless it was an lt1. I have a pretty good stock of engines to go through, and was just wondering if any of them would work. I ended up finding a 93 350, and assumed it would work. The only bad thing is, that all the engines that are available to me will not work in the manner I want them to. I would have liked to have an engine on the stand, and the car still running, but it looks like that won't happen. Thanks for all of the help.