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My Camaro is a 1997 Z28 with the LT-1 and the 6-speed manual.
The engine had a very loud knock at idle so I bought a rebuilt LT-1. The numbers match engine for engine but it came with a different computer. Computer that came with rebuilt engine Computer that came Rebuilt motor original motor with the 1997 Camaro
Now my issues or questions are;
- Will the rebuilt engine work with the computer that came the rebuilt motor? The rebuilt engine came with a egr block off, some vacuum plugs on the throttle body ect....
- I'm adding some long tube headers that have the provision for the O2 sensors.. I um assuming they will go to the computer.
I guess what I'm asking will this all work, and what do I need to make it work?
Any info that you can give me will be greatly appreciated.
Sorry I dont see how to delete the duplicate photos
Last edited by Robb676; May 23, 2020 at 06:03 PM.
Reason: because
Is the rebuilt engine a 96/97 F-Body LT1? Is that what you mean by "the numbers match engine for engine"?
If so, you don't need to use the PCM that came with the rebuilt engine, just keep running the one in your car. And just use the existing harness.
There are very few differences between a 94/95 "OBD-1" engine and a 96/97 "OBD-2 engine.... nothing that can be corrected with a few parts swaps. The main one is noted above, with regard to the 96/97 having a crankshaft position sensor that is used to detect misfires. But at long as you are putting a verified 96/97 engine into your car these are non-issues.
If you are concerned that the rebuilt engine has a blocked off EGR and vacuum caps on the throttle body, simply swap those parts/vacuum lines from your old engine.
As far as adding the headers, and relocating the pre-cat O2 sensors to the header collectors, the only thing you typically have to do is get extensions for the wiring harness long enough to plug into the sensors. Do you plan to retain your cats, and the existing after-cat O2 sensors?
All that I want to verify is that the rebuilt motor will work, and if not what will make it work. The rebuilt has a lot less vacuum and coolant lines to connect.
If I could go old school I would. I have never dealt with PCMs and such.
I like the way that the rebuilt motor has a lot less connections to make.
The numbers that are cast into the blocks match. The last 3 numbers are 327.
Ideally, I would like to drop it in and go. I dont care about the smog stuff as it will be used "off road".
My main concern is that I want to use the computer that came with the rebuilt, there is a lot less stuff on the rebuilt to hook up compared to the original that I pulled out. It was running with the old computer in a S-10.
All LT1 engines have the same block (see ***), and the block casting number ends in 327. The block could have been used in a 92-96 Corvette (*** in which case it has 4-bolt mains), a 1996 Corvette LT4 limited production engine, various years of the Chevrolet Caprice, SS, Buick Roadmaster, and Cadillac Fleetwood, all of which were fitted with cast iron heads, milder cam, etc., or a 93-97 Camaro or Firebird.
The water pump configuration varies with application. The changeover to a vented Optispark distributor occurred in various years depending on application. The 96 and 97 have a different timing cover, to accommodate the crankshaft position sensor added in OBD-2, the number of knock sensors and the impedance of the sensor varies with application. Different computers were used varying with application.
Essentially “327” only tells you it's an LT1 or LT4 engine, very little about the heads, internals, accessories, etc.
