OK, I came across a '94 Formula Firebird tonight that was severely rolled for $1000. Has anyone done an LT-1 swap into an old car? I know that many people have done it, but was wondering what I need to buy. Got some questions even after doing lots of searching...

If I buy a wiring harness from painless or somewhere, will I still need the computer from the car?

What about the distributer, radiator, etc?

I heard that the cooling system is a reverse flow. How much extra stuff will I have to buy?

I plan to use some of the interior, and hopefully the rear disk brakes. What am I in for?

I am expecting some expense and work doing mods, but just need to know how much. I am probably going to run my th-350 rather than the electronic 700-r4. Also any recommondations on websites for parts or more information would be appreciated. Thanks

 

wouldn't be the first one, check out nastyz28 lots of ppl on there have done it

 

Thanks. I already have and am a very active member over there.

Just thought I would put out my feelers here as this board is the shiznit for the newer stuff

 

K well, here you go then :P

the special things u will need are :

-Electric Fuel pump for EFIs
-As for the rad use one from an LT1... not a sbc one, as LT1s are "reverse flow"
-PCM ie. OBD1 or 2
-stock wiring harness will work, but painless would be better
thats about it... really, you CAN get distributer intakes, but why? if its got an opti use it, better yet convert to LTCC like the LS1s.

Brakes are easy, Baer sells a drum to disc convertion kit.

Interior everything will fit with modding, seats and center console would be the easyest... but the dash will need some good custom fabing.

 

Thanks that helps alot

I was the most curious about the radiator because I just put in a brand new 4 core less then a week ago because my original one had a tank leak. The 94 Firebirds radiator is cracked so on with the hunt for a good unleaky one.

I am going to get a new wiring harness kit and go with new. Something to find out is if the opti spark still works I assume that the new harness will utulize this distributor, right (I hope)?

I am for sure using the seats, console, and door panels but the dash I may just sell off and keep my original look, am itching to try an Autometer white face guage cluster in an aluminum bezel.

I have been reading my eyes sore for almost 24 hours now, I think my head will explode with all this info We bring the 94 home tomorrow and we will try to fire her up to see what works and what doesn't and if we get any weird codes I should be aware of.

 

1994 opti sometimes had a problem... i recommend buying a 95+ "vented" opti off this site... eather way u might need to rebuild it anyways.

Im not sure about which wiring kit u need, would be nice if they made an LT1 replacement kit

 

Will start looking for a vented opti. I had prepared myself for possibly replacing it with new because of an accident could have jarred it around too much. The newer engines baffle me but I am a fast learner.

When it comes time for the wiring kit I will give painless a call and pick their tech's brain.

Thanks again you have been very patient with me

 

Found a good website with some good info on this exact swap and wiring harness' and reprogrammed ecm's. They say if you are going into an older car you will need a flashed ecm to bypass the non comp controlled tranny and built in security that is in the stock steering column/ignition. Going to cost me close to $900 for a wiring kit and new ecm but will be worth it to plug and play.

Howell Engine Developement

 

I'd say you'd need to at least xontact the year one site on the internet or get their catalog. I think they make a kit for doing just what you want. Best of luck.

Ken

 

As I've been told, the LT1 swap is a little easier than the LS1, because you can use stock motor mount locations, and you dont really need to worry about customizing as many parts. Good Luck!! If you have any general EFI swapQ's let me know, Ive learned alot doing my swap.

 

Very curious to see your experience.
I am considering the same thing with my '73

Rant On!

 

Piet over on www.nastyz28.com someone is going to do a full write up of this conversion into a 2nd gen specifically and have a downloadable version available. I am going to take lots of pictures of my swap and hopefully have them uploaded for people to look at. I have learned alot about what needs to be done and how by surfing and printing and tons of research. Now that I have the donor car at my house I am able to get a good feel for how easy this should be.

 

Ya, I live at www.nastyz28.com as well (as Piet oddly enough)
When you see the write up, let me know.

and I will love to see pictures! $1,000 donor.... Nice work!

 

No problem.

Thanks about the score on the car. It was a once in a lifetime deal that was offered to us and its a conversion we have always wanted to attempt.

 

Been a few years so I'm on recall here. Just some little stuff to save you time.
Ask for Andrew in the Computer Diagnostics section. He can take care of the programming needs. He does a great job and can knows his stuff.
Why not just go with the R4-700. No matter what you will need to let the engine electronically know how fast the car is going. there are modules with both mechanical and electrical outputs to drive the speedo and the pcm.
I got my intake tubing from Jags that run. I also got my tranny spedo stuff from them but its a pain in the @#& to use. the modules are cleaner.

Tranny adapter mounting stuff came from a company named something like bowties with overdrives. great stuff though. even had the 4 speed plate for the console. Their crossmember is worth every dime.
Unless you go with a $700buck gas tank from rockvalley, go with agood external pump. It'll be quieter.
The ins and out on my radiator were the same as the engine so I used the stock radiator with a 2 speed ford fan.
There is a coolant tube that comes out the back of the heads and runs along the right side of the intake and goes through the throttle body, whether you go through the TB or not, run it - up- to the radiator. The system will bleed a lot easier. I just had a fitting brazed in under the radiator hose.

You'd be suprised how simple the new engines really are. Just don't get discouraged with the wiring. Theres a company called alldata, kinda like Helms on the web, that you can subcribe to for $20bucks. do this for your donor car and it will give you everything as far a wiring diagrams and the such.
took me about 2 months at an anxious hobby rate
It cranks!!