93 Z28 LS1/T56 Swap Project
08-01-2023, 09:33 AM
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 31
93 Z28 LS1/T56 Swap Project
@JakeRobb has inspired me to document my journey with this project. Over the course of the next undetermined amount of time I will create a journal here for anyone to follow. I believe that in the f-body era, 4th gens are the next ones to start seeing more interest in. Please feel free to join in on the ride...or watch silently from the sidelines, as I have done over the years. I know that this site sees little activity, however, due to the wealth of information here, that may start to change if I'm right about my prediction.
The Project
1993 Camaro Z28 (LT1/A4) with 103000 miles.
The Donor
2002 Pontic Firebird (LS1/T56) with 130000 miles (engine and trans only from Hawks Motorsports).
The reason for the swap is simple, yet expensive. First, finding parts for a motor that was built for four years is becoming more and more futile. Secondly, the early 4th gens were 93-97, however; 1993 should almost be in a category all it's own due to the ECU. For those of you that don't know, 93 was the only year (4th generation) that still had the non-programmable ECU (you have to burn chips) and non-electronic controlled trans, which limits me on tuning options. Understand one thing, though. Back in the day, 93 was considered the strongest out of the early 4th gens because of this and the fact that it came from the factory as Speed Density for its programming.
Finally, it all really boiled down to cost. I wanted to replace the Optispark with the Gen III LS computer and coil per plug system, and convert from an automatic to manual. After much research I determined that for the cost to do this, I could buy an LS1/T56 from a donor car for about the same amount. This made the decision easier for me knowing that I could have the reliability and parts availability of an LS for the cost of upgrading my current setup; it was a no brainer. What I didn't factor in was all of the ancillary cost associated with doing this swap!
In the following time it takes me to complete this, I'll cover topics that I think are interesting or unique to my swap. This won't be a complete detail of the swap as much of this is covered in other threads. Instead, this will be a complete parts list of everything used and pics with descriptions of the different stages. Keep in mind, I'm going from an LT1 to an LS1 and an auto to manual transmission, all in one go, so this should be interesting. And if no one reads it, at least I'll have it for my records.
The Project
1993 Camaro Z28 (LT1/A4) with 103000 miles.
The Donor
2002 Pontic Firebird (LS1/T56) with 130000 miles (engine and trans only from Hawks Motorsports).
The reason for the swap is simple, yet expensive. First, finding parts for a motor that was built for four years is becoming more and more futile. Secondly, the early 4th gens were 93-97, however; 1993 should almost be in a category all it's own due to the ECU. For those of you that don't know, 93 was the only year (4th generation) that still had the non-programmable ECU (you have to burn chips) and non-electronic controlled trans, which limits me on tuning options. Understand one thing, though. Back in the day, 93 was considered the strongest out of the early 4th gens because of this and the fact that it came from the factory as Speed Density for its programming.
Finally, it all really boiled down to cost. I wanted to replace the Optispark with the Gen III LS computer and coil per plug system, and convert from an automatic to manual. After much research I determined that for the cost to do this, I could buy an LS1/T56 from a donor car for about the same amount. This made the decision easier for me knowing that I could have the reliability and parts availability of an LS for the cost of upgrading my current setup; it was a no brainer. What I didn't factor in was all of the ancillary cost associated with doing this swap!
In the following time it takes me to complete this, I'll cover topics that I think are interesting or unique to my swap. This won't be a complete detail of the swap as much of this is covered in other threads. Instead, this will be a complete parts list of everything used and pics with descriptions of the different stages. Keep in mind, I'm going from an LT1 to an LS1 and an auto to manual transmission, all in one go, so this should be interesting. And if no one reads it, at least I'll have it for my records.
08-01-2023, 09:49 AM
#2
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 31
Re: 93 Z28 LS1/T56 Swap Project
Here I will list all of the parts (New and Used). This will be updated regularly for me to keep track of. If it's on this list, I have it in hand.
LUK LS 7 Clutch/Flywheel kit
Tick Master and speed bleeder
Holley Slave and Release Bearing kit Part # 319-100
Detroit Speed Fast Ratio Rack and Pinion
LS Steering Shaft
Hooker BlackHeart Engine Mount Brackets Part # 71221001HKR
Texas Speed Long Tube Headers w/ Catted Y-Pipe
Racetronix FLT1 Fuel Pump Kit and Wiring Harness
One Guy Garage LS Engine Fuel System Swap Kit (Corvette style filter/regulator, Fuel line, AN adapters)
BP Automotive LT1 F-Body Plug and Play Gen III LS Swap Harness Part # H800 (custom built for the LS/T56 swap into the LT1 car)
LUK LS 7 Clutch/Flywheel kit
Tick Master and speed bleeder
Holley Slave and Release Bearing kit Part # 319-100
Detroit Speed Fast Ratio Rack and Pinion
LS Steering Shaft
Hooker BlackHeart Engine Mount Brackets Part # 71221001HKR
Texas Speed Long Tube Headers w/ Catted Y-Pipe
Racetronix FLT1 Fuel Pump Kit and Wiring Harness
One Guy Garage LS Engine Fuel System Swap Kit (Corvette style filter/regulator, Fuel line, AN adapters)
BP Automotive LT1 F-Body Plug and Play Gen III LS Swap Harness Part # H800 (custom built for the LS/T56 swap into the LT1 car)
Last edited by Ananta1369; 08-01-2023 at 10:28 AM. Reason: Adding more parts
08-01-2023, 10:07 AM
#3
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 31
Re: 93 Z28 LS1/T56 Swap Project
The heavy lifting! LOL
Some pics
LS1/T56 out of 02 Pontiac Firebird
Casting confirms this is a LS6 block
LUK LS7 Clutch kit and flywheel. LUK is the OEM for GM
BP Automotive Wiring Harness
Corvette style filter/regulator and fuel line kit
Last edited by Ananta1369; 08-01-2023 at 10:35 AM.
08-01-2023, 02:54 PM
#4
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Okemos, MI
Posts: 9,479
Re: 93 Z28 LS1/T56 Swap Project
Nice! I’m glad someone could benefit from my efforts beyond just me. 
Are you planning to use a factory-style K-member or a tubular one? I really like my UMI road-race K, but something they don’t tell you is that it doesn’t have provisions for the factory hard brake lines, and you’re just supposed to figure it out for yourself. Apparently most people make something custom using -3 or -4 AN and just ziptie it in place. 😕
Take LOTS of pictures during disassembly. I took hundreds, and every day during the reinstallation process, I find another thing I wish I had a picture of.
Good luck!
Are you planning to use a factory-style K-member or a tubular one? I really like my UMI road-race K, but something they don’t tell you is that it doesn’t have provisions for the factory hard brake lines, and you’re just supposed to figure it out for yourself. Apparently most people make something custom using -3 or -4 AN and just ziptie it in place. 😕
Take LOTS of pictures during disassembly. I took hundreds, and every day during the reinstallation process, I find another thing I wish I had a picture of.
Good luck!
08-03-2023, 05:30 PM
#5
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 31
Re: 93 Z28 LS1/T56 Swap Project
Are you planning to use a factory-style K-member or a tubular one?
I'm hoping to use the stock K-Member. I have the Holley motor mount stands for LS swapping the 4th gen, however; my concern is header fitment with the TSP headers. Shouldn't be an issue, but...
Also, great advice on taking pictures. I have to keep reminding myself because once I get into doing something, I tend to forget about pictures before proceeding. LOL
I'm hoping to use the stock K-Member. I have the Holley motor mount stands for LS swapping the 4th gen, however; my concern is header fitment with the TSP headers. Shouldn't be an issue, but...
Also, great advice on taking pictures. I have to keep reminding myself because once I get into doing something, I tend to forget about pictures before proceeding. LOL
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