Hey guys! Sold my mustang gt last week and bought a 1996 camaro z28 with a blown engine for $1200. My family has owned a salvage yard for over ten years, and we have a 95 roadmaster lt1 on the shelf with only 90,000 miles for $500. Everything (accessories Etc) will just swap right over correct? Also I'm going to put a new plugs, opti-spark, water pump, and seals before I install. Any recommendations on brands to go with for the water pump and optispark? And also are the optisparks for the roadmaster and Z28 that year the exact same?

Thanks in advance guys!

 

It will physically fit, but the Roadmaster and Impala LT1s are not the same as those put in the Corvettes or F-Bodies. There were iron heads on the Buick and Impala LT1s, while the Vettes and F-bodies got the aluminum heads. There may have been more changes with the rotating assemblies as well, but I am not certain.

Ideally, you would rebuild the LT1 in the Camaro and just reinstall it.

 

Yes I'm fine with the iron heads etc (My camaro lt1 has warped heads etc...) I just need to know what I need to change to make everything run well. I can use my z28 wiring harness and computer correct?

 

Other ideas:

1) Depending on the condition of the bottom end of the Camaro LT1, either buy aftermarket heads (usually $500) and a gasket kit (~$250) and use the original engine. That is again ASSUMING nothing in the bottom end is damaged.

2) Buy the LT1 out of the Roadmaster and buy aftermarket or direct replacement heads for a F- or Y- body LT1 and the gasket kit. You can use the stock iron heads, but they are heavier, they flow less, and ugly which all (except the ugly part) results in less power. By going with aftermarket or direct replacement heads, you're going to have equal too or greater hp/tq ratings than the factory.

3) Find a good LT1 off ebay or craigslist for $200-400 that was in a F- or Y- body.

4) Rebuild the current LT1 in the Camaro as Grandpa has mentioned.

All in all, you're still spending roughly the same no matter what. IMO, I'd rather spend more and get equal/better performance, then spend less, and get power ratings lower than what the car came with stock.

Just some alternatives to consider.

 

I know my impala ss has a different camshaft for more low end torque than an lt1, and it also has a lower stall converter.

 

Any Long block from a Lt1 will fit but you are going to need to stip everything off it and remove the oil pan then use all that stuff off the Camaro.

 

Okay guys thanks! The engine over heated, and I think it has a hole in the block because when I bought it oil was everywhere etc. So switch all the accessories and oil pan off my lt1 and use it on the roadmasters and everything should work well? I dont have to change the computer or wiring harness right? also when I replace the water pump and opti should I buy one for my z28 engine and stick it on the roadmaster? Thanks for all the help guys!

 

Water pump and opti will be the same no matter what car you look it up under. Computer/wiring harness should work fine. I'm trying to find out whether there were any different sensors between the two, just to be sure. Oil could just be leaking from somewhere. Back of the intake is a common spot as well as the front and rear seals.

 

You are replacing a LT1 with a LT1. Use everything from the camaro except the long block. When you are done the only part that would not be correct for a Camaro is the heads and Cam. As said above an opti is an opti.

 

transmission will transmission fit out 1996 roadmaster in to 1995 camaro z28 both have 5.7