I FINALLY got my old drive-train out (motor and tranny). I'm goin' with the LT1 (finally obtained, just haven't picke dit up yet!) 350 from an Patrol Car. Here's my questions (sorry for the length), any help would be GREATLY appreciated. (I have an '89 RS with 305/700R4)
1. can I save my old A/C (THE WHOLE THING) and make it work with the LT1? If not, what do I have to change over? THIS MEANS A LOT TO ME BECAUSE I JUST GOT THE A/C CHARGED FOR $200! (it's the old stuff)
2. do I need the wiring harness from the donor car or can I re-use mine?
3. do I need the ECM from the donor car?
4. will the exhaust manifolds work with the standard Y-pipe?
5. will the 305's radiator, single fan work?
6. will the 305's engine mounts work?
PLEASE GIMME A HAND! Thanks a ton!
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'01 Viper ACR
'nuff said

 

You will need the engine wiring harness and PCM from the donor car. You will also need these programmed if you want your engine to even start. I don't know if the LT1 exhaust manifolds will bolt up to your RS y-pipe, but I doubt it. You should be able to get it from the donor car for really cheap and then adapt to your current exhaust if necessary.

A single fan should work, although I don't know how big is your radiator, but I would think it should work as well if you're on a budget.

Sorry, can't help you with the other stuff, but I'm sure someone else who's done this swap will reply.

 

SWEEET! Thanks for the quick reply...now about that programming - why would the ECM need to be reprogrammed if it's all from the same car? Basically, the yard that's selling these cars can sell me anything I ned to make the swap as simple as possible. They don't have any details as to what I need, so it's up to me to do the research and get back to them with a long list. I can get the wiring harness and computer for free with the motor, but I cringe at the thought of yanking all the old wiring out (out of the dash man? NOOOOO!!!) But if I have to, i have to. The radiator is stock, but I've heard that to do the LT1 swap, I'd have to install a second fan. I don't know if the patrol car had two fans or how big the radiator was (it's already gone) but I'm sure I could find out. Thanks again for the info.

 

You will only need the engine harness... no interior harness. It has a 3 or so connectors right where it connects with the interior harness which you don't need.

It needs to be reprogrammed for a number of reasons (such as disabling devices you won't use) but the main reason it will not run without programming is because of the Vehicle Anti Theft System in the PCM which will not allow the engine to run in a different body. Programming will bypass it.

 

you might wanna upgrade the radiator, the 305 radiator is a single core radiator, if you want to run AC your gonna want a duel fan!! if you skimp on stuff your gonna regret it down the road!!

 

HALLELUJAH!! You just made my day, MADWOLF! As long as I don't have to rip that dash apart (I had to do it once to replace the heater core) I'm so danged happy I can't see straight! Thanks for the info on the programming also. I noticed you do programming on your site. How much would you charge if I sent it off to you and had you do the deed? If this inquiry is against this forum's rules, I apologize and just tell me how to contact you for this project. Thanks also 97SS for that radiator info. I'll ask the parts yard if one from a patrol car will work, and if not, how about a 3RD gen 5.7 radiator? Thanks!

 

Check out shoebox's website here.
This is basically the harness you need from the donor car.

www.shbox.com will be very helpful with your swap.

94-95 full tuning is $80 + $13 shipping, but if you want just the basic stuff to get you going, it's $50+$13 shipping.

 

Oh yes, in case that patrol car is a Caprice instead of Camaro, make sure it has a P in the VIN number just so you don't get a 4.3L instead of a 5.7L. They look pretty much the same on the outside.

 

Thanx a ton, MADWOLF! As soon as I get everything back to my garage, I'll send it off to ya. Thanks again!

 

I checked that and it is a genuine 5.7 my man! You're right though - The 4.3 looks identical to the 5.7. Interesting that GM never offered that in their '94-'97 Camaro RS's. It woulda been the perfect middle-man motor.

 

go to www.thirdgen.org check under the engine swap section, this swap has been done a thousand times I think. there are swap guides to help you.

Jason

 

For sure check out thirdgen.org Your 305 rad should work fine for a stock LT1, mine does, although I used dual fans. I am sure a single will work as well, try it before spending more $$$. The engine will bolt right in with the same mounts. Get everything you can off the old car. Get the complete engine harness, ECM, power steering pump, and other accessories, get it reprogrammed as Madwolf said, I think I paid $150 or $200cdn for the program (although it is stock with things removed that are not needed).

You can easily make your own harness with the diamgrams from the donor car, just start at the PCM connectors and remove evrything you DON'T need, you can then patch the guage/ignition/fuel pump/check engine light etc. connectors into the C100? connector at your firewall. I got and extra 3rd gen connector at the yard and used that instead of hacking the original. You can mount the PCM underhood, so no need to run all the wires into the inside of your car.
Make sure you have the proper pulse per mile or VSS signal for the new PCM from your old system.

I'm also pretty sure the LT1 manifolds will not work. I'd recommend headers for 3rd gen v8's which will bolt on, or use TPI manifilds and y-pipe as they have larger diameters than LG4 stuff.

AC will fit from LT1, with minor frams mods, or use a drivers side high mount compressor (my 86 has one, not sure about 89's) with B-body accessories as they are on the passenger side.

Get an F or Y body MAF as the b-bodies are only 3" not 3.5".

Hope this helps.

 

6SPEED IROC, I'm trying to KEEP the A/C FROM in my 3rd gen in the car, instead of using the LT1's. What I'm wondering is if the 3rd-gen A/C will fit onto the LT1's accessory bracket, etc.? I'll check out 3rdgen.org for some of the other details. THANKS A MILLION!

 

I intend (future) to mount my original AC compressor in its original location on my LT1, on the upper drivers side using original brackets. I think all LT1 AC compressors mounted low on the passenger side. Check out the swap pages for more..