BayAreaZT Posted March 6, 2002 Share Posted March 6, 2002 I currently have a 327 with a turbo 350. I want a manual tranny and I have a T-5 laying around but instead of just swapping the trannys, I am considering going with the LT-1 T-56 combo. Does anyone know what kind of timeframe this project would require and if there are any roadblocks I might encounter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted March 6, 2002 Share Posted March 6, 2002 considering that it already has a v8, and i believe that lt1s can use the same motor mounts and the same position, once you mod up the tranny crossmember to work, motor and trans should take you the better part of one day, assuming that you will have some friends to help install. you are going to go fi with it right? if so, factor in anything from a week or more to set the fi up including fuel injection lines fitting and a return line. oh, and when you do an lt1, its a good idea to put in a new dist cap and rotor in, because it requires you to pull the balancer and i think the water pump, great design there, the dist firing direct off the crank like that and the water pump runs direct, so if a belt goes its not even close to bye bye head gasket time-oh boy.. once everything is in theres the clutch hydraulics, which i think is well documented anyways, may be harder if the car was auto to begin with, the t56 engages backwards, meaning it pull type slave vs. push type which most every other trans uses. you already have an auto so i dont think you have to widen the tunnel any wider-oh boy. if you really kick ass and work on it alot, maybe two weeks to a month. good luck and tell us how it goes, if i ever get around to it i would do the lt1, its a kick ass oem motor, and they do make a carb manifold for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinked_Chrome Posted March 7, 2002 Share Posted March 7, 2002 The only problems that I am running into are, right balancer size (stock is 8 inch). I believe one off a Vette can be used, does anybody know for sure? The other roadblock is getting the computer sent off to have the theft deterent removed, power steering, smog, etc, so the computer does not get error codes for the accessories you don't use. Does anybody know a way around that? You will probably need a new fuel pump to supply the FI. All wiring is very straight forward, nothing to worry about. If it weren't for that balancer I would have my LT1 in my 260. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 7, 2002 Share Posted March 7, 2002 My LT1 is out of a 95 Corvette. I've done a test fit of the motor: http://www.gatewayzclub.com/members/dewzenol And the pulley clears the rack/crossmember fine. As for the computer, I have the same issues to correct. If you e-mail me I will give you the links to the info on how to hook your laptop or home computer up to the ecm and program it yourself. It does require that you build a small interface to hook your serial port to the ALDL port though, so it's not for everyone. The parts for the interface are cheap though and it was easy enough to build. Haven't tested it yet though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 7, 2002 Share Posted March 7, 2002 FYI... I think the basic costs involved are about $40-100 for the interface, and $150 for the software. Ok, here we go... Here's a site that summarizes EVERYTHING. It tells you all the things you'll need and where to get them. They even have some free trouble code scanning software. http://www.carputing.com/ Here's the site with the nitty gritty GM ALDL info: http://www.diy-efi.org/gmecm/ Here is the site with the interface instructions, as well as lots of info about the ALDL protocol: http://www.mindspring.com/~amattei/aldl.htm You might have to email the guy about selling just the printed circuit board if that's what you want. That's what I got from him and I think it was $10-20. I'm not sure if he sells it anymore though. He definately still sells the whole kit ($75), and he'll even build it for you for an extra $20. Here is the home of the ecm editing software for LT1's -- lt1-edit http://lt1.net/editor/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted March 7, 2002 Share Posted March 7, 2002 Dewzenol et al., This maybe a stupid question, so forgive me: Is it possible to take the LS1 fuel injection/management system (ie inlet manifold, injectors ect) and put it on another long block and have a FI engine, or would one have to buy an aftermarket FI system (which is expensive). For example, could one build a nice engine with aftermarket crank, pistons, rods, heads and valvetrain and stick the LS1 inlet manifold and associated stuff and management system on it and run? Thanks, Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeromio Posted March 7, 2002 Share Posted March 7, 2002 My first reaction is to say that it would be possible, but very likely not worth it. You'd need to be able to mount all the same sensors - including the knock sensor, to the plain 350. I think you could get the MAF, TB, coilpacks, ECM, injectors and sensors, used, for about $1000. That gets close to the cost of the aftermarket systems. But you'd need to add the laptop cables and LS1edit software for another $500. So, in the end, something like the new Holley system or SDS would be less $ and much easier to implement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted March 7, 2002 Share Posted March 7, 2002 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinked_Chrome Posted March 8, 2002 Share Posted March 8, 2002 Wow, thanks for the great pics Dewzenol Those really help. The route I was going to go was just to send my ECM to a speedshop and let them reprogram it, though I really like the idea of me being able to change anything that I want, even if it is more money upfront My auto teacher said that he knew of a place that could do it for ~$150, but its not a big concern right now so I didn't ask more about it, I'll find out tomarrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 9, 2002 Share Posted March 9, 2002 If you're not convinced yet, go to this link/testament. http://members.tripod.com/CarProgrammer/Z28.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 9, 2002 Share Posted March 9, 2002 Buy a cable from Andrew he will give you free flashing software, email him your file from pcm, he will modify (delete vats, all desired DTC codes, set tire size and rearend ratios, etc...)and email back to you. all for $30!!! (plus cable cost) then you can use freescan (available from his site free) as a diagnostic scanner! Then when your ready, step up tp LT1 edit ($250). You can also just send him your pcm and $30 + return shipping, he has very quick turn around. (I would recommend getting the cable and flashing yourself cause your gonna blow $25 shipping the pcm) My LT1 conversion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted March 10, 2002 Share Posted March 10, 2002 Couple of things.... LT1EDIT is cool but you have to shut the motor down while programming it (ala side of the road not on-the-fly) and it IS possible to have something go wrong and end up with a "dead" ECU that has to have a PROM soldered into it to revive Keep that in mind - I personally think it sounds wonderful! As for retrofitting the LT1 hardware to an older SBC? Nope. Don't forget the damned Opti-Spark. The block is different to accomodate the water pump and Opti. I was looking into that bigtime as a poor man's EFI but by the time I added up the parts I could have had a DFI, FAST, or Holley system easily. Bummer! IF you've got the LT1 stuff use LT1Edit but if you're starting from scratch seriously consider other things.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest super280z Posted March 27, 2002 Share Posted March 27, 2002 BLK, im sure this might not get back around to you but had you considered that you can use a distributor on the LT1? sure you'd need a custom TB and Manifold but it'd be better than no efi at all. you can even run speed density on the stock PCM so you wouldnt have to use the MAF. just a thought, but i think it could work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted March 27, 2002 Share Posted March 27, 2002 I plan on modifying one of my LT-1 intakes for a distributor and re-aligining the bolt holes, using a distributor from a '90 TBI motor I have and buying the DFI computer/harness for a TPI setup. We'll see how it goes, and oh yeah, guess I need to get a JOB first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest super280z Posted March 27, 2002 Share Posted March 27, 2002 naah job's are for weiners.. oh wait, nevermind, that would make me a weiner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 28, 2002 Share Posted March 28, 2002 why cant you use the computer out of the car you're using the engine out of? and save yourself the programming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted March 28, 2002 Share Posted March 28, 2002 You might be able to, but I won't be using the opti-spark so something has to be done about timing signal. Also, my motor is modified AND I don't have a MAF. All in all I think the DFI is the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 28, 2002 Share Posted March 28, 2002 Originally posted by Darius Wannabe:why cant you use the computer out of the car you're using the engine out of? and save yourself the programming You would still need to reprogram the computer...eliminate vats(anti-theft system),delete any DTC codes you would'nt need, change tire size, rearend ratios, tranny changes etc.. My LT1 conversion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted March 28, 2002 Share Posted March 28, 2002 By the time yo uadd it up the new Holley EFI systems start to look REALLY good The GENVII has SOME advantages but price is NOT one of them. Holley has also just made a VERY nice MiniRam looking intake - Stealth-somethingorother I think. It's supposed to be AWESOME and be reasonably priced - something th emini-ram is NOT. Mind you I've NOT got an LT1 but I've got plans for EFI. I've just not had time to work towards that this past Winter - too damned cold. We'll see how it goes this Summer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 28, 2002 Share Posted March 28, 2002 doany aftermarket EFI systems allow a throttlebody so i can put some form of centrifugal air compressiong system with a inter/aftercooler of some sort?? like my wording?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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