Ok, I recently picked up a 1980 Z28 for $150 (Not bad considering it has flawless original white paint and a new 350 crate motor). But, the tranny is blown. I was thinking about going ahead and buying an LT1 w/ an A4 and putting that in there. But some questions come to mind;

- Are there custom wiring harnesses for this operation? Or do I have to wire it all up myself?
- Will the speedo run off the cable like the 80 intended or by the speed sensor? How would the tach and the speedo work in the 80 then?
- Are there custom engine and tranny mounts needed?

But then I had another idea. Why not just buy the TPI conversion and put that one there. I can always get the vortech head and intake package and make plenty of HP to make this baby a nice cruiser! But the issue of wiring comes up again. How would I wire all this together? Which one is easier or more cost effective? I already have an LT1 so it would be cool to have a TPI (They are beautiful motors to look at!!) Any comments suggestions??? So many questions.........

 

well first i ask, why an A4? and why not a T56?

but anywho, i would recommend going and asking at this site

as there are a few ppl that have done the exact swap.


good luck

EDIT : as for the TPI / TBI convertion it would probably cost u the same amount of money then just buying a LT1 out of a wreck or something.

 

Well, I already have a T56 in my 93 Z28. I'm looking for something that I can go cruise in and relax. I love my 6-Speed, but I don't like driving it in traffic. So an auto is more suited to my needs.

Sweet! Thanks for the link, I'll go check it out!

 

dont have any tech advice for you but i just wanted to say that that is an awesome project idea!!!!

 

LT1's are cool, I was going to do that swap until I found my LS1 & T56. Anyway heres stuff you will need:

1. Wiring harness: available from painless, street and performance, TPIS and many others
2. electric speedometer (the new A4 does NOT use a cable)
3. PCM programming (to remove anti theft programming, plus afew others you will not need)
4. Electric fuel pump capable of supllying the LT1
5. serpentine setup that will work in your car.
6. electric fans (got mine out of a TA)
7. plenty of other cool stuff

I say go for it, sure my swap took a long time, but i had to balance school work, and constantly being a broke 18,19,20 year old.

websites that will help you out:

http://www.pro-touring.com
http://www.streetandperformance.com
http://www.speartech.com

ask me if you need anything else!!!

 

Sweet! Thanks for the links! I hear ya on the broke college kid thing, though . I'm 19 and about to transfer to Tarleton State in the spring. So this is going to take me a while, but it's something I 've wanted to do for a long time. Anyways, I'll probably shoot ya an email every once and a while to ask a few questions. I have a million, lol. Thanks again,