94 z28 manual to auto

[corkatoa]

Have a 94 z28 I got for practically nothing. Pretty nice car I have been wanting for 25 years!!
Has no drivetrain. I have a 96 roadmaster for parts. I have been researching at LT1swap and it looks like with an aftermarket crossmember w/torque arm mount and a few other parts(radiator, headers), I should be good.
My question is this: has anybody put the auto trans in a manual car? Are the wires part of the manual harness from the factory and so I just need the wiring from the buick as relates to the auto transmission? Seems all wiring is identical as far as engine/dash etc and pcm between the 2 cars and I know the computer from the roadmaster will plug and play, so to speak, with just the obd11 port and wires needing to be transplanted.
As well, are auto and manual driveshafts the same in a 94 z-28? And does anyone have one?

 

[TURNA]

You will need the complete harness from the donor car since the manual is not electronically controlled like the 4L60e

The manual trans have reverse lights, reverse lock out solenoid and skip shift as for electronics.

 

[corkatoa]

You will need the complete harness from the donor car since the manual is not electronically controlled like the 4L60e

The manual trans have reverse lights, reverse lock out solenoid and skip shift as for electronics.

I understand the transmission is controlled by the pcm. All of those wires you mention are common to both manual and auto cars, they are controlled by the pcm so not an issue for driving(auto pcm has no skip shift output or reverse lock out). I just wondered if the auto trans wires are already in the manual engine harness, or if I will have to add them from the buick. I am hoping there are some empty pigtails somewhere waiting for the auto transmission harness...

It is unbelievably difficult to find out this kind of info on any camaro sites, hence my bringing the questions here where I trust the people. Best car site ever!!

 

[oldsmobile joe]

you will need to transfer wiring and pig tail from the buick to the camaro relating to the transmission. i highly recommend getting wiring diagrams or even better would be factory service manuals for both vehicles. you may also need the camaro accessories drive bracket, p/s pump and crank balancer hub, all are different for clearance to the radiator than the buick.
i'm not sure about the transmission lengths. i would google for dimensions.

 

[corkatoa]

FYI, Wiring info is available for all LT1's and a lot more at http://lt1swap.com. Cannot say enough about this resource.
I have no radiator, but have found out that the cooling fans are the same even though the radiator is much smaller on the camaro. I will cross that accessories bridge when I get there I suppose.
Length of transmission is for the driveshaft of course, and if auto is different should be easier and cheaper than a manual one as all t56 related parts are worth a fortune. Here is the crossmember I have.

TCC012 - Torque Arm Relocation Crossmember, 4L60E, LT1 | 1993 - 2002 F-Body | Torque Arm Relocation Crossmembers | BMR Suspension - High Performance Suspension & Chassis

1993 - 2002 F-Body Torque Arm Relocation Crossmembers TCC012 - Torque Arm Relocation Crossmember, 4L60E, LT1 - Changing transmissions, reducing weight, and adding strength to your 1993-1997 Chevrolet Camaro is easy with a Transmission Conversion Crossmember from BMR Suspension. Swapping...

m.bmrsuspension.com

 

[oldsmobile joe]

and when i say transfer wiring, i mean remove all the wires, transmission connector to ecm, from the buick. its easier. and make sure any ground wires are soldered.
and right everything down so you can reference them later.
there are many items that don't swap between "b" body lt1s and "f" body lt1s. the buick is obd2, so some engine sensor connectors will not match up to obd1 camaro sensor connectors. camaro maf sensors are larger and won't fit the rubber inlet and are calibrated differently. camaro has 1 knock sensor, buick has 2. 96 4l60e trans will only work with 96 ecm. obd2 ignition control module and ignition coil have different connectors than obd1.
it can be done, it takes patience and attention to detail.
i have a 96 camaro lt1 and 4l60e in my 79 caballero and i used a 94 caprice wiring harness. lots of learning.

 

[oldsmobile joe]

cooling fans are the same

they may have the same motors and electrical connectors but they have different blades. and the camaro fans are mounted in a shroud that hangs off the radiator. but you may be able to work around this difference.

 

[Supercharged111]

If at all possible, I would hunt down a T56. The auto cars were turds in comparison, plus you can run deeper gears with the T56 and not have it zing on the interstate. The LT1 trannies seem to be easier to come by, though I know people seem to be quite proud of them on CL.

 

[corkatoa]

T56 is just too much money, I cannot justify a few thousand on a transmission for a car only worth 4k at best.. I have 500 into this build. If I could get one for 500, I would. But I cannot. I have lots of options to improve performance, the transmission will not hold me back.

 

[corkatoa]

they may have the same motors and electrical connectors but they have different blades. and the camaro fans are mounted in a shroud that hangs off the radiator. but you may be able to work around this difference.

The roadmaster fans are in their own shroud, I just assumed they were the same because they look the same. I will look closer next time for sure. I have access to another local z28 for parts I just do not want the guy to think I need them too badly.
He thinks his parts are made of gold.