LT1 swap

[rwd_pete]

I just bought a '95 Vette LT1 engine. The heads have been redrilled for a regular SBC intake manifold. It presently has a Victor Jr., but I'll probably change it to a two plane intake. I'd like to swap it into my 78 Malibu.

The first issue is that there is no boss for a mechanical fuel pump, so I'll have to install an electric one to feed the carb.

The second problem is that thay usually came with electric fans. Has any seen a picture of an LT1 modified to drive a mecahnical fan? Is there any factory fan setup that would relatively easily swap into a 78 Malibu.

 

[SScamino]

Even though the intake was drilled it doesn't line up that well with the intake ports. You'll be much more happier by scrapping that motor and getting a tradition GEN I engine. The LT1 has a lot of different things that you'll have to change like the oil pan which is expenseive cause you'll have to get the corvette one. I would go on but I'm bored of listing the reasons why the LT1 is terrible. All you'll be doing by converting to carb is making an expensive vortec headed motor...

 

[rwd_pete]

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm in too deep now. I've got a 96 Impala SS, a 62 Pontiac LT1 injected and am in the midst of an LT install in my 56 Ford. The Vette engine cost me $100 from a guy that bought a CTS-V and wanted it out of his garage.

The Malibu has a 400 sbc/(Performer RPM, Crane 272 cam) right now and is pretty tough on gas. The 4400 lb. Impala SS gets the same fuel economy as the family Venture van and runs 15.0. The Imp heads flow like Vortec heads, so if I install electric fans and fuel pump I'll have more power, and better economy for about $500.

 

[pontiacgp]

If you are sticking with the LT1 make sure the vent hole on the water pump has an L fitting on it so when it starts leaking it won't be soaking the optispark and causing it to fail

 

[rwd_pete]

Actually a HEI fits right in. There is a GM Performance parts intake on the 56 and it's machined for the regular distributor. That's the plan for the Vette engine also. You can't use the Optispark without a computor. The lid for a shoe polish can fits right in the Optispark hole with some epoxy to seal it.

 

[SScamino]

Well can he even use opti-spark? He won't be using EFI and he needs the CPU for optispark. GM sells the intake for 300 bucks. The problem is that if you use that intake though you won't be making near the power of regular 350 becuase the ports don't line up pontiacgp also brings up a good point as well.

 

[SScamino]

already answered. Disregard.

 

[rwd_pete]

In January 1997 Hot Rod magazine took a cast iron head Roadmaster LT1 and installed a Camaro LT1 cam, headers, quadrajet on a GM Perf Intake and make 366 hp., added a hot cam for 409 hp and Roller rockers for 421 hp. The engine in my 56 has pocket ported iron heads and a hot cam and springs etc. It needs the fuel pump and fan controls for testing next spring. With reverse cooling I always run regular gas in my 10:1 Imp unless I'm taking it too the track. The person I bought the Vette engine from has a 66 Impala with an injected LT1 with the full hot cam, roller rocker setup and it runs 13.6 on street tires.

 

[pontiacgp]

well let me know what it costs you to get that hp out of your LT1.....

 

[79elky454ss]

Is this the manifold you are going to run?http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-24502592/?rtype=10Seems to me that the intake runners would line up pretty well, after all it is designed for an Lt1. There are a few on this forum who have a serious hatred for the LT1 engines. The wide availability,economy and durability of this good running smallblock makes it a winner in my book.