im sure its been done im just wondering how difficult it will be computer wise. i know you have to change the k member, the tranny, the steering linkage i think. what else? could i use a dfi and splice it into my pcm to work my gauges?

 

It seems like I read a couple of posts about a week ago concerning this. Anyways, someone said that you don't have to change the K-Member, just switch mounts. You'll also need a different hood, because the LS1 is a little taller. I'm not sure about the PCM.

 

well i got a 98+ front clip so clearance is no concern

 

So you've got the front clip, which is the main difference between the years, and now you want to put the LS1 in? That sounds like an awful lot of work, man. I know in the end it's your decision, but I think it'd be better in the long run to just get an LS1 car.

 

well i ll base my desision after i get enough info on how hard it will be to convert to the ls1.

 

been a couple posts on week on this subject since the LS1 came out ...Just go out and get yourself a LS1 car

 

can someone just give me a simple answer other then to tell me to get a ls1 car??

 

Geez, everyone is just telling you it would be cheaper and a heck of a lot easier to get a Ls1. Alot more reliable too. Alot of times you do swapping like that and they never are RELIABLE like the originals. Good luck to ya though

 

Why drop an LS1 in an LT1 car when you could make an LT1 just as fast? You could have a 400 rwhp LT1 for a reasonable price tag. Custom cam/ head LT1s are making big numbers. There's an LT1 making 452 rwhp on a stock bottom end, just has a custom cam and big heads. If you're doing it just to do the swap, then yeah, you need to change the things all these people have mentioned.

 

well i wont be dropping a stock ls1 in there so theres no point in buying a ls1 car just to pull the motor out anyway. and i dont want a big cam big heads lt1 due to poor mileage when compared to equal numbers produced by the ls1 motor.

 

So... you're willing to spend more money on the LS1 conversion to save you a few mpg? I mean, It's a good idea to save gas mileage...but come on, you'd be spending a lot of money swapping it, and it will take years to make up the difference...

But hey, do what you gotta do

 

a big cam big heads lt1 makeing over 400 rwhp wont pass emissions, a small cam big heads ls1 will and make a better daily driver, better mileage. to me it would be worth it. id be doing most of the work myself along with some friends. just want to know what exactly needs to be changed, the mounts rad? fans? and how to run the pcm or if id be better off with a dfi.

 

Good point about emissions...

Well that's cool man, if it's worth it to you who cares what everyone else thinks!

Anyway, I wish I could be of more help but I haven't researched the swap. Good luck!

 

Thanks

 

I'll tell you this, it isn't fun. It would be MUCH easier to pull the motor out of an LS1 car and put it back in, that could be done in a day or two easily.

You will have to switch the motor, mounts, new transmission
(they are NOT interchangeable between LT1's and LS1's), driveshaft if you have the one from the LS1 (you don't have to but it's aluminum and better) if you are smart you will be switching the brakes and rear-end as well (MUCH better brakes to handle the power).

Most of that is straight forward, the WIRING is the NIGHTMARE!!!

You have to completely pull the LT1 harness (you should be able to save the body harness) and put in the LS1 harness. If you buy a wiring harness from Painless Wiring ($600-$800) it won't be too bad.

If you don't you can forget about the gauges working. Major PITA!!! You better have LS1 edit, that's all I'll say.

Doing this in a third-gen right now, put it this way people pay $10,000 to get it done (includes the price of stock parts) and it's worth every penny.

Then when you are done, being that you are making a LS1 clone, you will have nothing original. Just a darn expensive car worth little more than the value it had with the LT1 in it but much less value than a stock LS1.

Buy an LS1, they are CHEAP!!! I just picked up my 1999 Trans-Am for $7600 from a dealer! It has 90K on it but is bone stock and MINT condition! You will be much happier, trust me!