Guest dats240 Posted November 22, 2005 Share Posted November 22, 2005 Hello everyone, i'm new to the site and am in the process of doing lots of research and i am seriously considering doing a sbc swap into my early '74 260. While i wasn't actively looking quite yet, I saw in my local paper this weekend a '93 Firebird Formula which has an LS1 with body damage listed for $1,250. Some of my questions are as follows. -The car has an automatic which i really do not desire. What manual transmissions would work with this motor besides obviously a Pontiac firebird/trans/am and how much should i expect to pay for a used tranny? -Would you run into problems switching the type of transmission in terms of either how the the motor runs and/or the ecu? My main question i suppose is how much is this motor really worth? I believe the ad said it has around 90k miles. Would it be easier to just wait and try and find a motor with a manual trans? -Thanks to any and all responses, they are greatly appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparks280zt Posted November 22, 2005 Share Posted November 22, 2005 most guys use the t56 with the ls1 and they can usually be found for around $1000. I would buy that car and then sell the auto tranny and maybe try and part out the rest. Sounds like a good deal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banditzed Posted November 22, 2005 Share Posted November 22, 2005 Hi, I think you'll find that car has a LT1, aluminum heads- cast iron block. They didn't put the LS1 in a F-body until '98. Both came with a T56 six speed, but there is some differences between them, bellhousings and some other stuff. For a LS1, there is some minor reprograming to be done in the PCM when you switch from an auto to manual. Don't know if this is the case withy the LT1. Good luck with your project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dats240 Posted November 22, 2005 Share Posted November 22, 2005 Sorry about that i didn't catch my mistake but did realize that it has the LT1 not the LS1, thanks for the tranny info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop N Wood Posted November 22, 2005 Share Posted November 22, 2005 lt1's with auto's can be had from ebay dismantlers for $1500 to $1700. The 93 versions are less desireable than the 94 and up ones because the ECM is programmed with a chip and not software. I think in 94 they went from speed density to mass air flow (or vice versa). I forget what the difference is, but supposedly the 94 version is better from a modification and tuning. T56 manuals for that engine have to come from the LT1 equiped cars. They are actually more expensive than the LS versions since the LT1 tranny's are more readily back fit in the first generation SBC. $1200 is not a bad asking price for a complete vehicle. Take a look at it and try offering $900. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheelman Posted November 22, 2005 Share Posted November 22, 2005 The LT1 can also use a T5 transmission. I got an LT1 from car with an automatic and put together a tranny package using a world class T5, Flywheel from a later 305 that used a 1 piece rear main seal, 83-91 V8 Camaro bellhousing, clutch fork, slave cylinder, clutch disk and pressure plate. I used a Wilwood master cylinder but there are others that will work just as well. If you decide to buy this car grab everything you can from it and be sure to get the complete engine wiring harness being sure not to cut any of it. Pop_N_Wood is correct, the 93 year is the least desirable but can be converted to use the later computer. Not very hard to do and gives you the opportunity to switch the system to use a MAF rather than Speed-Density if you want. You'll also want to upgrade the opti-spark for reliability reasons. 94 and 95 models are better with the 95 the most desirable because it's still OBDI, computer can be flash programmed and it has the vented opti. Wheelman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dats240 Posted November 22, 2005 Share Posted November 22, 2005 thanks wheelman, good stuff. I think all things considered I'll pass on this one, and wait until i am truly ready and prepared. Since it is a '93 and an automatic, i dont see the point in going out of my way now and have to deal with all the possible headaches down the road. If anyone does have any interest in this car it can be found in New York's Newsday and I believe it is located in Suffolk county, I never even talked to the guy, so i dont have too much info to relay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jersey Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 You could always beef up the L28 a little and be faster then the SBC option [ducks head while flames are ready to be thrown] haha. Welcome to the board and good to have another East Coast Z'r. Good luck w/your project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corzette Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 You could always beef up the L28 a little and be faster then the SBC option [ducks head while flames are ready to be thrown'] haha. Welcome to the board and good to have another East Coast Z'r. Good luck w/your project. Hey wait a minute.......haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jersey Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 Hope all is going well for you in JP Terry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corzette Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 Im sorta late but Thanks Jersey! Also congrats on the 12.0...thats just amazing.....11s are there! I just cant wait to get back, if only there were good jobs in San Angelo......not!!! Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
93TA Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 Hum hum... owning a 93 Trans Am currently (LT1 w/ an M29 T56 transmission)... I'd like to say that 93 vs 94-97 is really an opinion/preference issue in many ways. - Some argue that the speed density cars are often faster than the MAF cars. - The ECM (vs the PCM on 94-02) is modified using "piggyback chip" programming, which is definately cheaper than dynotuning a 94+ PCM.. and in many cases can accomplish just as much. There are lots of small differences. There are some differences between 93-94 vs 95-97. Some between 93 vs 94-97. Some between 93-95.5 and 95.5-97. Etc, etc, etc. For 93-specific LT1 info... maybe see the boards at http://www.speeddensity.org Drew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.