Cracked the block on my 97SS but I found a cheap LT1 from a 94 Z28. My question is what would be needed to make the switch? I don't think the opti will plug directly in bit other than that I'm not sure what the other differences are or how to remedy them... You guys are often a big help

 

Well there are a few differences...

1) The timing cover on your 97 has a crank position sensor on the bottom, so you will need to swap that.

2) The cam in your 97 has a long dowel pin, of which interfaces with the opti-
spark, you will need to either order it from Comp Cams (I paid $5.00 for mine from them), or swap the cam out of your 97 into the 94.

3) Piggybacking on #1, there is a reluctor wheel on the snout of the crank on your 97, do not forget to swap that.

I am sure I am forgetting something, but these are the biggies.

Good luck.

Charlie

 

Are the blocks themselves the same? (as far as bolt locations and such)

Subscribing to this thread

 

The only part u lost me on was the reluctor wheel on the crank, not sure what u mean on that part.

 

you would have to use the crank hub from teh 97 also.. dont mix them up. and the keys in the crank are different also..

 

Blocks are the same.

There is a reluctor wheel in front of the the crank gear on 96 and up for the crank sensor.
http://shbox.com/1/engine_front_diagram.jpg

Use all the the parts from your existing EVAP system, too.

 

You also have to use the knock sensor from your 97. Can't use the one from the 94. There should be an EVAP vacuum detector switch on the passenger side/valve cover of your 97, not on the 94. You need to keep that.

To run the 97 Opti on the 94 short block, you need to swap the cam, because the pilot hole on the 97 cam is larger than the pilot hole on the 94 cam, in addition to the dowel pin being longer. Then you need to use your 97 cam sprocket, because the hole in the center of the 94 cam sprocket has splines for the unvented Opti drive shaft, and does not have enough room for the 97 vented Opti's pilot shaft to pass through.