I installed a 95 lt1 into my 97 car. It ran for 2 months, now it has possible bad opti. So its sitting in garage till new opti gets here. But to the point........

I did not swap the timing covers and left the crank position sensor unplugged.
Nor did I put the knock sensor in. From what I read, it should not have even started since the swap. Or am I wrong?

 

The crank sensor is only for misfire detection. It has no bearing on how it runs. Though you should have a constant trouble code for the crank sensor not being there. If you did not use your 97's knock sensor, you would also have a code for it. Performance will be considerably impacted because timing advance will be limited with that code.

 

Better late then never!
Thanks shoebox. Car is running again ( put new opti in, and then discovered I had a frayed wire ). It is running good, put about 100 miles on it so far.

Another question for the experts ( Shoebox and Injuneer, you two really are a savior to this site!! ) I bought what I believe to be a 95 longblock. Is there anyway this 95 could have a knock sensor on it? Cause I damn sure have one plugged in, that I didnt switch over. Or possibly previous owner had done this prior......

Thanks again!

 

Only you can tell us if the knock sensor was there or not. You will have a trouble code if it is the wrong one for the computer. The engine will still run, but timing advance will be limited.

http://shbox.com/1/ks_2.jpg

 

If you are asking if 95 engines have a knock sensor, the answer is yes.

As Rob has pointed out, the 93-95 knock sensor is not compatible with the 96/97 PCM's. You need to use the knock sensor from your 97.