Why do most people think the LT1 Swap is hard?

[80LS1T]

I am was wondering if you guys could tell me why you think the swap is harder than a carburated 350?

 

What do you have to do to the engine to make it work? Basically what should you take off or add to the motor to make it work?

 

Is the computer programming hard? Do you have to modify the harness in any way?

 

What about the fuel system? If you have a EFI L28 do you have to change the fuel lines and or add a higher pressure fuel pump? Or is the ZX pump and lines ok?

 

I just want to know what you guys have had to do in your cars to make it work? I am putting one in a 80' 280ZX with a T56.

 

Thanks!

[Guest Anonymous]

80LT1

 

You need at least two publications, JTR book and the factory service manual for what ever the engine comes out of. Get everything you can from the donor car, engine accessories, wiring harness, PCM, relays, mass sir flow metere junction boxes, cup holders etc.

 

Reprogramming is not hard, pay some one to do it.. Will have to by pass the VATS and there will be a tone of stuff the computer controls that you will not need. You car get rid of al least half of the wires in the harness but before you start cutting things out, make sure you understand what each wire does. This is where the factory service manual is indespensible. The other way to do this is to buy an aftermarket harness. L28 EFI system will work with an lt-1 pump and lines are adequate for a stock LT-1. It can't be to hard, I did it. Good luck, MArk

[Guest Big Phil]

When swapping in a LT1, you have to deal with several extra factors such as the VATS, the computer and wiring harness. You also need to add a fuel return line and modify the gas tank if the car is a 240 or 260.

 

I think the biggest problem involves mounting the accessories. When using a engine from a Camaro/Firebird, the A/C compressor strikes the frame rail. Even if you use the factory A/C delete pulley it still hits. Since the engine uses a gear driven water pump, most of the aftermaket pulley systems will not work. Only two companies make pulley systems that place the A/C compressor in the proper location but both kits sell for over 500 bucks. You can also the pulleys from a Lt1 corvette ($150 in parts) but you still have to fabricate a power steering delete pulley (nobody sells one).

 

Since the water pump is gear driven, there no way to add a engine driven fan (some LT1 caprices came with a engine driven fan but they are rare and everyone wants a camaro/firebird or corvette engines anyway) so a electric fan is required.

 

Next problem is the headers. Angle plug headers with D shaped ports are hard to find (Speed and Performance makes a set but they sell for $400 bucks coated)and you still have to move the knock sensor.

 

The engine makes tons of power and look great but because they were only produced for a few years, performance parts are harder to find and cost more.

 

The swap is not impossible but it is definitely more involved. I am almost finished with my LT1 swap and everyone on the forum has been very helpful, so it can be done. Another option would be a L98. If you add vortech heads and a new intake to a late 80's L98 it would make as much power as a LT1 for less money).

 

Phil