LTX'd 1980 Formula Project
04-06-2009, 08:38 PM
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LTX'd 1980 Formula Project Progress will probably we rather slow, but I'll link all post numbers with significant updates here.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/11391603-post18.html
Just a few quick shots of something I've been working on lately. This is Harvy Bird, the Formula I daily drove before getting my Z28. I gave it to my little brother last year on his 16th birthday and he's been working on it ever since, rebuilding the suspension, painting this and that, working with the interior, and now onto an engine swap.
The old 400/TH400 was reliable, but sluggish and thirsty as hell. A few months ago we picked up an LT1 out of a '97 Z28. Complete engine, intake to pan, as well as the harness and a few extras. We're going to use the BOP TH400 and bellhousing adapter, 1 3/4 Heddman longtubes, '95 GT electric fans and scrounge up the rest through the classifieds, Ebay or the local boneyards. After we finish getting it mounted in there, we're going to get started on the fuel system and wiring. I'm sure I'll be bugging you fellas for advice.
Figured I'd share the damage we did yesterday.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/11391603-post18.html
Just a few quick shots of something I've been working on lately. This is Harvy Bird, the Formula I daily drove before getting my Z28. I gave it to my little brother last year on his 16th birthday and he's been working on it ever since, rebuilding the suspension, painting this and that, working with the interior, and now onto an engine swap.
The old 400/TH400 was reliable, but sluggish and thirsty as hell. A few months ago we picked up an LT1 out of a '97 Z28. Complete engine, intake to pan, as well as the harness and a few extras. We're going to use the BOP TH400 and bellhousing adapter, 1 3/4 Heddman longtubes, '95 GT electric fans and scrounge up the rest through the classifieds, Ebay or the local boneyards. After we finish getting it mounted in there, we're going to get started on the fuel system and wiring. I'm sure I'll be bugging you fellas for advice.
Figured I'd share the damage we did yesterday.
Last edited by RaggedRides; 04-07-2009 at 10:16 PM.
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and yes keep posting more pics 
04-07-2009, 03:28 PM
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No doubt! Much better weather today, so maybe we'll get a few more.
Just headers, thermostat, CAI and stall for now. Can't wait to get to the point when we're ready to swap a bumpstick in.
You aren't kidding; it's like an old Lincoln Continential under there. He'd like to run some boost in the future. Keep the hood closed and tell people, "It's just an ol' Turbo TA."
Good question.. I weighed it once, but can't remember exactly. I think it was around 3400lbs. I will say it doesn't get much heavier than a Pontiac 400. The heads alone were 130lbs!
04-07-2009, 05:12 PM
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1 3/4 Heddman longtubes out of a Jegs Catalog. They're for an old school smallblock, but are wide enough to work with the LT1's heads. They're painted versions and were $215 shipped with flanged reducers. I'll get pics of 'em.
04-07-2009, 09:57 PM
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Updates We got out there today and got the motor mounts straight. Took a little prying and cussing, but we got it bolted in on both sides. I can't believe the amount of room under there. I don't think you could ask for a modern, fuel injected mill to drop in any more easily. The wiring and fuel will be the nerve racking part, I'm sure.
Bird watching
With all the room above the intake, a HSR conversion would be killer.
Passenger side header? Here's an idea of how it'll drop in there. With the dipstick tube and plugs out of the way, I think it'd be a 20 minute job to do both sides. Wish I could say the same for my Camaro. We'll probably end up respraying them in black or something that shows up less grime.
Front clearance. It'll be eaten up with the brackets, radiator and fan, but still plenty of room to work with.
This gives you an idea of how the radiator and fans will sit. We have a 4th gen piece on the way to replace this radiator, which came out with the 400. The electric fans are from my old '95 Mustang GT.
Think swapping plug wires will be an issue?
Down next to the K-member. Filthy, I know. We could have spent some more time cleaning, but got impatient.
Contemplating sticking the ECU over here on the passenger side of the firewall. Fits pretty snug as is and conjuring up a mount shouldn't be too hard.
I'll be out of town for about a week, so I told my brother his homework assignment is getting the wiring laid out and labeled. From there we'll work on eliminating the extras and getting an idea of how we'll route it. Neither of us have ever worked with wiring up an EFI engine, so it'll be a learning experience fo' sho'.
Bird watching
With all the room above the intake, a HSR conversion would be killer.
Passenger side header? Here's an idea of how it'll drop in there. With the dipstick tube and plugs out of the way, I think it'd be a 20 minute job to do both sides. Wish I could say the same for my Camaro. We'll probably end up respraying them in black or something that shows up less grime.
Front clearance. It'll be eaten up with the brackets, radiator and fan, but still plenty of room to work with.
This gives you an idea of how the radiator and fans will sit. We have a 4th gen piece on the way to replace this radiator, which came out with the 400. The electric fans are from my old '95 Mustang GT.
Think swapping plug wires will be an issue?
Down next to the K-member. Filthy, I know. We could have spent some more time cleaning, but got impatient.
Contemplating sticking the ECU over here on the passenger side of the firewall. Fits pretty snug as is and conjuring up a mount shouldn't be too hard.
I'll be out of town for about a week, so I told my brother his homework assignment is getting the wiring laid out and labeled. From there we'll work on eliminating the extras and getting an idea of how we'll route it. Neither of us have ever worked with wiring up an EFI engine, so it'll be a learning experience fo' sho'.
Last edited by RaggedRides; 04-07-2009 at 10:12 PM.
04-07-2009, 10:14 PM
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Use the cooling fan out of the Taurus, it's a 2spd They recommend it for the S10 V8 swaps, so it's obviously enough to cool a V8. Looks identical to that one, with the extended shroud on the one side. I don't know the specific year for the one to use, but I can get you that if you want, and even the Ford part number off it if that'd help. My friend has one laying around for his S10 swap he's been planning.
Looks great though!
They recommend it for the S10 V8 swaps, so it's obviously enough to cool a V8. Looks identical to that one, with the extended shroud on the one side. I don't know the specific year for the one to use, but I can get you that if you want, and even the Ford part number off it if that'd help. My friend has one laying around for his S10 swap he's been planning.Looks great though!