Considering buying a 93 LT1 based F-body. Didn't realize the transmission was not electronic. Are these a pain to work with or does the usual shift kit and good converter net the same kind of decent results on the strip? Secondly, is the 93 engine adaptable to a 94/95 ECM for tuning purposes (tunercar, LT1 edit etc?). I understand the 93 has not MAF, so it would run in speed density mode. Any other pitfalls or shortcomings on the 93 vintage?

Thanks

 

Anyone?

 

I actually think that most of the '93 differences are advantages, not shortcomings. The transmission is controled with a TV cable, so there is nothing to worry about in the computer except for TCC lock up. Also, since the shift points are set with governor weights and springs, they are super easy to dial in. Any 700R4/4L60e torque converter will work.

In terms of tuning, there are two programs that can be used, Tuner Cat and Tuner Pro. You can either get a chip burner or use an emulator like I did (Moates APU1). Once the emulator is installed, tuning is just as easy as the '94+ models with the flashable computer (just plug in a USB to a laptop). This is much cheaper than converting to a later style setup, and works just as well or even better. Since there is no MAF, the base VE tables are the main control of fueling, so it is less confusing. The injectors are batch fire, so there is no sequential fire tuning to mess with either.

'94+ headers can easily be made to work with emissions with a few simple modifications. The only major downfall I have encountered is that the speedometer cannot be recalibrated for gears/tires without using an inline recal box (like the Dakota Digital SGI 5). Even that is not very hard to install, and once it is in, the speedo can easily be changed after any other future modification.

'93s have a bet rep in general, but they really aren't that different from any other LT1 F-body, and certainly no more difficult to make fast!

 

Thanks for the input. I'll have to think about this. The computer programming was one of my biggest concerns. I've used tunercat extensively in the past and would like to do so again in the future.

 

I love my '93 engine and trans, it's responded well to the bolt-ons. Alvin at pcmforless tuned mine. I did the swap 8 years ago!

 

I think it is Very Worthwhile. The Tranny in the 93 is no Different than the 700R4 in Earlier F Bodys. The Engine is virtually the same except for Speed Density as opposed to the MAF in 94-97 LT1's.

Dan

 

My 93 actually HAS a 700r4 from an earlier model! 91 RS to be exact.

 

With an auto you only have to replace the "driven gear" in the tailshaft of the trans to make the speedo work with new gears. Very simple.

VSS your speaking of is for 6 speeds to work with other gears.