LT1 Swap into 88-98 Silvy
11-09-2006, 01:15 PM
#1
LT1 Swap into 88-98 Silvy I am contemplating dropping a LT1 into my DD truck after I get my LS1 car if I can ever find one. 
And I figured this would be the best place to ask.
Anyway I was wondering if anyone had done this before and knew any challenges I would run into, (motor mounts, OBDI vs. OBDII, header fitment, etc.) Any help would be greatly appreciated.
And I figured this would be the best place to ask.Anyway I was wondering if anyone had done this before and knew any challenges I would run into, (motor mounts, OBDI vs. OBDII, header fitment, etc.) Any help would be greatly appreciated.
11-09-2006, 01:37 PM
#3
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y not just convert to newer tiger tooth vortec heads and aftermarket
vortec dual plane and megasquirt efi, keep ur dist, u will go thru 5 opti before u go thru even 1 dist.
or just do 5.3 ls1 swap like we did on my uncles 88 silvireado, mounts from
t&d performance are like 60$ thru jegs, and he gets about 22 mpg
truck has a ls6 intake and lt headers and z06 cam with the trans and converter from the same truck, came from an 02' silverado
runs hard and sounds awesome, he even rigged the ac compresseor from the 5.3 to work with the stock ac stuff
vortec dual plane and megasquirt efi, keep ur dist, u will go thru 5 opti before u go thru even 1 dist.
or just do 5.3 ls1 swap like we did on my uncles 88 silvireado, mounts from
t&d performance are like 60$ thru jegs, and he gets about 22 mpg
truck has a ls6 intake and lt headers and z06 cam with the trans and converter from the same truck, came from an 02' silverado
runs hard and sounds awesome, he even rigged the ac compresseor from the 5.3 to work with the stock ac stuff
11-09-2006, 02:40 PM
#4
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Super Sylve (03-14-2024)
11-09-2006, 02:49 PM
#5
I'm looking more for good gas mileage and performance in a bundle. Right now the TBI is only getting me about 17 maybe 18 mixed highway and city, and its slow as a turd.
I have not thought of TPI, how is it in terms of performance and gas mileage.
The 5.3 swap sounds interesting but as far as I have read I would need a new tranny, crossmember, driveshaft, etc, etc, and more trouble than its worth. With the LT1, I should be able to keep my tranny and be alot less complicated.
I have not thought of TPI, how is it in terms of performance and gas mileage.
The 5.3 swap sounds interesting but as far as I have read I would need a new tranny, crossmember, driveshaft, etc, etc, and more trouble than its worth. With the LT1, I should be able to keep my tranny and be alot less complicated.
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Javier Solis (04-21-2021)
11-09-2006, 03:21 PM
#6
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With 140K miles I got 17 city and about 21 highway. But I was always on the gas lol I like G-Forces 
Great performance like I said. You can even keep your block too! Just get a roller cam, retrofit roller kit and a TPI setup + wire harness. Quite simple. You'd need a TPI distributor as well, the TPI is a bit more low profile than the TBI. I used to have a TBI I was going to swap over to TPI, so I know dis 
If you have a 700R4, you need to use a 92-93 LT1. Or swap over to a 4L60E (Electronic 700R4) with 94+
Great performance like I said. You can even keep your block too! Just get a roller cam, retrofit roller kit and a TPI setup + wire harness. Quite simple. You'd need a TPI distributor as well, the TPI is a bit more low profile than the TBI. I used to have a TBI I was going to swap over to TPI, so I know dis If you have a 700R4, you need to use a 92-93 LT1. Or swap over to a 4L60E (Electronic 700R4) with 94+
11-09-2006, 04:42 PM
#7
About how much would a roller cam, roller retrofit kit, and TPI setup, TPI distributor and wiring harness cost?
You said that you got 17 city and 21 hwy, which is better than my current but I'm also driving a heavy brick compared to your car too. But I also won't be on the gas all the time either.
You said that you got 17 city and 21 hwy, which is better than my current but I'm also driving a heavy brick compared to your car too. But I also won't be on the gas all the time either.
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11-09-2006, 05:56 PM
#8
Your truck should have a roller compatible block most 88-89's did not but a few did damm near all of the 90's had roller blocks holes tapped and everything. All you gotta do is slide in a roller and go. But I agree vortec heads bigger cam and some headers and she'll move. I have a 90 sub that we built we used fast burn heads a custom comp grind and 454 tb and inj and a burn't chip and she'll step out and fly and gets about 18 on a highway trip. It all depends on the one weakness we all have lack of money as to which way you go. But whichever way you do go all will run well.
11-09-2006, 06:09 PM
#9
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You can get a LT1 cam on eBay for cheap. They have the Distributor gear on it. and with rollers you don't have to worry about wear so much. I have one and it was even factory CNC'd. I can get the part number off it if you want.
If you don't need a retrofit kit, then you're in luck, the stuff is on eBay for dirt cheap. Probably $50 maybe $75 with lifters. TPI Intake, Baseplate, runners, injectors, rails, etc etc probably $200-$350, depends if you want Speed Density or MAF. I'd go Speed Density myself. The wiring harness from Painless is $300, computer and chip range, I never checked on eBay since I had one. I got $450 I think for the harness, chip n ECM and I can't remember if I included anything else. The distributor is just a standard GM, so not much, $75+? You probably will be able to use yours since it's in a truck, might not get to use the Distributor Cover plate (screws into back of the intake), but who cares heh
I have a MAF base plate and runners, you'd just need a 88 or earlier plenum (HAS to be from MAF. I tried running the ported MAF on my Speed Density and it ran like ***) and a fuel rail too I think. Dont think I have a throttle body either anymore :\ I used to have the whole set but I was parting things out to get money sorry. If you're interested, it's a start and a cheap start.
If you don't need a retrofit kit, then you're in luck, the stuff is on eBay for dirt cheap. Probably $50 maybe $75 with lifters. TPI Intake, Baseplate, runners, injectors, rails, etc etc probably $200-$350, depends if you want Speed Density or MAF. I'd go Speed Density myself. The wiring harness from Painless is $300, computer and chip range, I never checked on eBay since I had one. I got $450 I think for the harness, chip n ECM and I can't remember if I included anything else. The distributor is just a standard GM, so not much, $75+? You probably will be able to use yours since it's in a truck, might not get to use the Distributor Cover plate (screws into back of the intake), but who cares heh
I have a MAF base plate and runners, you'd just need a 88 or earlier plenum (HAS to be from MAF. I tried running the ported MAF on my Speed Density and it ran like ***) and a fuel rail too I think. Dont think I have a throttle body either anymore :\ I used to have the whole set but I was parting things out to get money sorry. If you're interested, it's a start and a cheap start.
11-09-2006, 06:50 PM
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I agree with formula350 I have a friend with a 91 chevy full size with a 383 with a tuned port off a vette runs great looks amazing people definetely do not expect it when he opens the hood!
11-10-2006, 01:00 PM
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a friend of mine with a '93 RCSB 2wd truck, just swapped out a TBI 305, for an LT1 w/ ported heads and a hot cam, LT's TB,etc... Bluecat done the wiring which was nothing to him, but they had to cut the hell out of the passenger side frame rail JUST to clear an A/C delete pulley, not even the compressor!
motor mounts and such are the same and the tranny (NV3500) bolted right up with a standard SBC flywheel and clutch set. he swapped the fuel pump out, and I think that's about it...
only thing is, he **** out opti-spark's one after another, and finally put an MSD distributor in the back and is in the process of figuring that out (he thinks his computer is shot though)
I'd say just build a vortec 350, single plane, MPFI with small cam, it'd probably pull a LOT better where a truck needs it (from Idle on up) compared to the short runner, high(er) end lt1 would.
motor mounts and such are the same and the tranny (NV3500) bolted right up with a standard SBC flywheel and clutch set. he swapped the fuel pump out, and I think that's about it...
only thing is, he **** out opti-spark's one after another, and finally put an MSD distributor in the back and is in the process of figuring that out (he thinks his computer is shot though)
I'd say just build a vortec 350, single plane, MPFI with small cam, it'd probably pull a LOT better where a truck needs it (from Idle on up) compared to the short runner, high(er) end lt1 would.
02-01-2021, 03:08 PM
#14
i think the answer is in the response above yours, much easier and much more worth it do do an 96+ vortec swap over an lt1. off idle torque especially with some mild bolt ons and a cam and you'd be much better off, plus you can get vortec's for next to nothing in part outs or junkyards.
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BOOT77 (03-31-2021)
02-04-2021, 09:43 PM
#15
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nice 17 year old thread bump...
i think the answer is in the response above yours, much easier and much more worth it do do an 96+ vortec swap over an lt1. off idle torque especially with some mild bolt ons and a cam and you'd be much better off, plus you can get vortec's for next to nothing in part outs or junkyards.
i think the answer is in the response above yours, much easier and much more worth it do do an 96+ vortec swap over an lt1. off idle torque especially with some mild bolt ons and a cam and you'd be much better off, plus you can get vortec's for next to nothing in part outs or junkyards.
02-11-2021, 01:14 PM
#16
i know stock for stock the LT1 is better overall, i was just saying for what he wants to do for ease of swapping the vortec makes more sense and will be cheaper.
also, if your truck is an 88 it doesn't have a 4l60e from the factory, it would have a 700r4 or maybe a 4l60 (no e) but i think the 4l60's came after 92 i believe
also, if your truck is an 88 it doesn't have a 4l60e from the factory, it would have a 700r4 or maybe a 4l60 (no e) but i think the 4l60's came after 92 i believe
03-31-2021, 03:06 PM
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LT1 swap with 5.3 Chevy Silverado I'm looking more for good gas mileage and performance in a bundle. Right now the TBI is only getting me about 17 maybe 18 mixed highway and city, and its slow as a turd.
I have not thought of TPI, how is it in terms of performance and gas mileage.
The 5.3 swap sounds interesting but as far as I have read I would need a new tranny, crossmember, driveshaft, etc, etc, and more trouble than its worth. With the LT1, I should be able to keep my tranny and be alot less complicated.
I have not thought of TPI, how is it in terms of performance and gas mileage.
The 5.3 swap sounds interesting but as far as I have read I would need a new tranny, crossmember, driveshaft, etc, etc, and more trouble than its worth. With the LT1, I should be able to keep my tranny and be alot less complicated.
