I wasn't sure whether to post this in the lt1 or ls1 section so i decided on here. So i bought my 1997 Camaro z28 M6 about a year ago with big plans of building a 400rwhp daily driver/weekend toy. Well after having a lot of overheating problems and getting frustrated with no online support for the Lt1 i finally decided to do the swap. My mechanic found me an amazing deal on a ls1 with about 70k miles (current lt1 has 125k) and a new transmission that has about 10k miles (current has 125k) along with ls1 brake system, so i jumped on it. Still working out all of the little tweaks but this is the progress ive got so far.

ls1 engine
long tube headers
3" catless y-pipe
ac delete
K&N cold air intake
Flowmaster catback (soon to be replaced)
corvette intake manifold (no EGR)
ls1 calibers with cross drilled rotors
tuned (still needs tweaking)

Im sure im missing some stuff but this is all i could think of. And now for the pics:

The before:



Engine and trans out:



New engine going in:



LS1 in:



I am still cleaning up the final project so I should have a finihsed product picture later today.

let me know what you guys think? all comments and opinions are welcome

 

Do a magnaflow catback, flowmasters don't flow good.

 

OK looks like you got the K-member and suspension from the LS1 car which is good. You are going to find some wiring issues under the dash, not many but a few. You are going to find that the fuel lines will not want to be where you want them and you may want to hunt down some fuel lines from a LS1 car and also the fuel pump. I dont know the exact specs but I do know the LS1 and LT1 have different fuel requirements. The ABS systems are different as well and I am not sure the older system will work with the new computer. The Traction control, ABS and throttle control all work together with the PCM. You need to make sure your wheel and diff sensors are compatable as well. There is alot of differences between LS1 and LT1 cars. To the point that you would do well to have a doner car sitting nearby.

Massey

 

Change those God awful tires! I would suggest Nitto NT555 tires over those cheap Ventus tires.

 

ya i actually have a donor car. This motor came out of a trans am that spun out and wrecked the rear of the car. The fuel system is adapted for the lt1 fuel system. going to try and find a ls1 gas tank and fuel system later on.

ya these wheels and tires are temporary. i usually run Y2k wheels with bfg all around, and am loking to switch to ZR1 wheels.

 

the part of the fuel system that is going to be the biggest problem will be the pump. LIke I said they have different requirements but I cant remember the specs.

Massey

 

ok so here are the final engine pics:






im not sure exactly about the fuel system because i didnt do the swap, the guy who did it specializes in ls engines and made it all work.

ran the car pretty good today and its night and day between the old and new setup.

 

im stuck between upgrading my lt1 or getting an ls1. ive found a couple of ls1 on the net complete with wiring harness. im not a mechanic a shop would do my install. is this a head ache? massey talks about the fuel pump, would i jus need one form an ls1 or is it more complicated than that? fuel lines? do i need a new trans or will the one i got work for now? i know nothing anout how this would work so any info is good

 

What did he charge for that swap? He must really know the process. There are a lot of website/books that will take you step by step on how to get the LS1 working in a 60-70 erra car but I can not find any good sites on how to get all the 94 electronics to work with a new LS1 computer. Just getting the gages to work right can be a nightmare.

 

I am still running the lt1 fuel pump and fuel lines, they were adapted to go from 3 lines to 2 and uses a c5 regulator right before entering the fuel rails. He said a complete ls1 gas tank, fuel pump, and fuel line switch is the best way, but he perfers this way because then you dont have to replace the entire unit and the end result is the same either way.

for the swap i got the engine, trans, wiring harness, computer, k member, spindles, brakes, and im sure there are some things im forgetting but that's all that coming to mind.

sorry if im not much help guys. like i said i didnt do the actual swap, the whole process is a bit over my head.