LT1 swap update - split loom install

[oldsmobile joe]

looks great.
hope you have better luck than me. bought a caprice for the engine. engine wouldn't start and owner was tired of fixing it.
got it home and started monkeying around with it. it had a no spark and no fuel pressure during cranking. tested coil and ignition module, they were ok. grabbed a spare opti, plugged it in, with the ignition key on, i gave the opti a spin and i heard the fuel pump relay kick in and got fuel pressure. swapped out the opti and the engine fired up.
while i was cleaning the car out, i found a receipt for a gm opti that was installed at the local chevy dealership two years before. i still have it, somewhere in the garage.

 

[JD1964]

looks great.
hope you have better luck than me. bought a caprice for the engine. engine wouldn't start and owner was tired of fixing it.
got it home and started monkeying around with it. it had a no spark and no fuel pressure during cranking. tested coil and ignition module, they were ok. grabbed a spare opti, plugged it in, with the ignition key on, i gave the opti a spin and i heard the fuel pump relay kick in and got fuel pressure. swapped out the opti and the engine fired up.
while i was cleaning the car out, i found a receipt for a gm opti that was installed at the local chevy dealership two years before. i still have it, somewhere in the garage.

I’ve heard that some of them have the Mitsubishi sensor, and some do not. Take that failed Opti apart and see what sensor is in it.

 

[JD1964]

Couple of other toys in my garage. Joe, the yellow vette is a 96 OBD2. This Opti I got today is from a 96 Impala. Are you saying I can plug this Opti into the connector on the vette, turn the key on and spin the Opti with my fingers, and if the fuel pump kicks in and pressurizes the rail, that’s a test conclusion of the Opti sensor being functional?

 

[oldsmobile joe]

Are you saying I can plug this Opti into the connector on the vette, turn the key on and spin the Opti with my fingers, and if the fuel pump kicks in and pressurizes the rail, that’s a test conclusion of the Opti sensor being functional?

i'm not a trained gm tech on these engines so its not 100%. but its amazing what you learn with a little trial and error. in my case i found it is a way to test the opitics inside as well as the wiring harness. but this won't test the cap and rotor for misfires.

nice cars. i worked for ford as a tech for about 14 years, and have a soft spot for the 5-0 stang.

 

[JD1964]

Damn!! It’s takes a little time to do a half decent header wrap job. Albeit my first time in since forever, it too me almost 2hrs to get one done.

 

[JD1964]

I have the header fitment, shifter linkage and related stuff worked out and both headers are wrapped and ready for install.

I ordered an Astro Van EFI sender for the tank since these work in the wagon EFI swaps. If the factory steel lines are in good shape can I utilize them, or at least portions of them? I was thinking of using the the factory steel EVAP line portion as the return. Is this a reasonable idea or should I bit the bullet and install new lines altogether?

 

[oldsmobile joe]

Where does your steel fuel line come out of the frame in the engine bay? I see no reason why you can't use the steel lines as long as they are in a useable location.
On my caballero and wagon i used stock lt1 nylon lines. They are cruisers, not racers. I have an astro sending unit that i will install in the wagon this spring.

 

[JD1964]

Where does your steel fuel line come out of the frame in the engine bay?

The supply line comes out of the frame below the front of the passenger side upper control arm. Evap line (which I’d use as the return) comes into the engine bay along the inner side of the drivers frame rail.

I realize they enter the engine bay on opposite sides but I can handle that ok I think. I kept all of the factory nylon lines from the Z28. I’ll use them along with Dorman fittings to transition and route up to the fuel rail. I plan to install an in-line filter on the supply line in the engine bay too.

If anyone has and concerns or suggestions I’d like to hear them.

Thanks

 

[JD1964]

......oh, I have a Walbro 155 practically new that I took out of my 92 Foxbody. That car needed a bigger pump due to its boosted application.

The 155 will do for now in the stockish trimmed LT1. If the performance mods get piled on, we’ll upgrade the pump as needed. But for now, it feels good to use what’s on the shelf. 😁

 

[JD1964]

BTW, anyone looking for an Astro fuel sender, going cheap here.

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