Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific - Converting LT1 to carb & distributor?

Has anyone converted their LT1 motor to a Carb & 4bbl Intake? I want to eliminate all computuer controlled wiring harnesses.

Also, has anyone removed the optispark and just installed a normal sbc distributior into their LT1 motor?

Looking at 93-97s (firebirds/camaros) and I'm not familiar with all of the computer controlled stuff.

My buddy has a 280Z and put a LT1 intake on his Gen1 350 and installed a distributor. He left the efi on it though.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249780_220314471331562_100000590337833_869081_4743 886_n.jpg

I am in the process of doing it right now. Mainly for the ability to rev above 7000 and equal n2o distributation. I am still early in the conversion and it has turned out to be quite a project. I am still looking for someone to convert a Vic. single plane to LT for me. Anyway good luck!

I may be completely wrong, but all you would need to make a vic jr fit is to seal the water neck and cooling runners and have it drilled for lt1 style heads? Somebody correct me if Im wrong. But I am good with a shop who drills older style intakes to fit vortec style heads, so Im sure it couldnt be much different?

Thanks, Grunt. I am sure I am making more out of the conversion than necessary. The local shop said they could probably do it, they just have never done one before. I just like experience.

My buddy has a 280Z and put a LT1 intake on his Gen1 350 and installed a distributor. He left the efi on it though.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249780_220314471331562_100000590337833_869081_4743 886_n.jpg


any up close pics of the distributor install? How did he do it? weld a boss in there or just drill and machine a hole?

I'll see if I can find some more pics. I believe he drilled a hole and welded a boss for the hold down clamp.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-24502592/
pricey but here you go. I'd stay with efi if possible.

search the lt1 section on here, there is a guy that did a complete writeup on going carb.

Well for those who want to convert a single plane SBC manifold over, you have 3-4 major problems that you have to overcome. First the bolt angles are different the SBC bolts are perpendicular to the mating surface. The LT1 bolt holes go straight down. Also the spacing is different. Another problem is that the valve cover sealing surface for LT1 come up away from the flat surface that the intake manifold seals against. So the outer edges of the SBC intake manifold are fatter and hit this.

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/7635/img0150r.th.jpg (http://img571.imageshack.us/i/img0150r.jpg/)

This first picture shows the LT1 head and an LT1 EFI intake in place, notice the lip on the head just outside of the manifold. If you look at the other pictures that show all the manifolds together you can see the extra material on the SBC manifold that interferes.


http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/3461/img0152xg.th.jpg (http://img98.imageshack.us/i/img0152xg.jpg/)

From left to right LT1 Carb, LT1 EFI (1995 Vette), SBC Carb

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/742/img0153h.th.jpg (http://img853.imageshack.us/i/img0153h.jpg/)

Look at the difference in material around the bolt holes.

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/1035/img0157jm.th.jpg (http://img831.imageshack.us/i/img0157jm.jpg/)

The rear of the manifolds where the distributor goes.

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/4043/img0159hi.th.jpg (http://img651.imageshack.us/i/img0159hi.jpg/)

The bottom of the SBC Carb intake, you can see how the bolt holes are perpendicular to the mating surface.

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/1506/img0160eu.th.jpg (http://img713.imageshack.us/i/img0160eu.jpg/)

LT1 Stock EFI manifold, you can see how the bolt holes are more vertical than the SBC.

Conclusion, buy the GM Carb intake. Unless you spend a whole lot of time north of 6,000rpm, then pay someone to mod a Victor or make a sheet metal for you. I made 580 fwhp with the GM Carb intake on a mild cam hydraulic roller 396

If you go with that summit intake. What is required for timing? A distributor? And what's required for that conversion? I got a lt1 buddy fed up with his efi system. We would like to convert.

If you go with that summit intake. What is required for timing? A distributor? And what's required for that conversion? I got a lt1 buddy fed up with his efi system. We would like to convert.

A standard SBC distributor will work to run the engine, however the next set of problems comes from the lack of room where the distributor goes below the windshield. Also you need to establish a timing mark on the balancer so that you can dial in the distributor.

here's the thread with the parts list I mentioned above. A few guys have followed this with success.

http://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-modifications/1266035-full-carb-swap-parts-list-what-takes.html

Ahh a little fabbing of the fire wall is no issue to me lol. Sounds like a pretty simple swap to me. So a standard sbc distributor, summits intake, a little firewall modification, and some timing marks. is that all "required" other things you can do is that opti block off plate I seen on ebay for 80$ and were up and running. Then we can get rid of all that mess of wiring etc! He will be tickled. Lol

^^ thanks for the link. Some good info. I will pass the information along.

Ahh a little fabbing of the fire wall is no issue to me lol. Sounds like a pretty simple swap to me. So a standard sbc distributor, summits intake, a little firewall modification, and some timing marks. is that all "required" other things you can do is that opti block off plate I seen on ebay for 80$ and were up and running. Then we can get rid of all that mess of wiring etc! He will be tickled. Lol

Yea I forgot to mention, gotta block off the opti drive hole. Not a bad time to go with an electric water pump too.