TWS

iTrader: (63)

I looked into this a little bit a couple years ago when I found out that an LS1 plastic gas tank provides a nice weight savings over the metal LT1 version.

What I learned at the time was that the fuel tank level sending unit was a lot different or that the fuel gauge was wired differently in the LS1 dash cluster or something along those lines. It's been a couple years and I have forgotten.

Anyway, I'm sure this has been discussed before but search is not working well for me.

1. Has anyone figured out how to adapt an LS1 tank and still keep an accurate gas gauge reading?
2. If there is a thread, please post the link. If not, please educate me. The original sending unit in my '94 crapped out, so I pulled the tank yesterday. If I can swap to an LS1 tank and gain some weight savings, now is the time to do it.

Muchos gracias in advance.

dhdenney

iTrader: (53)

I think the idea is to use the LS1 tank with your original bucket/electronics.

BizZzatch350

iTrader: (33)

Word, the plastic tanks have that weird tab twist deal where ours are bolt in

dhdenney

iTrader: (53)

Who said you didn't have to fab in this hobby?

InsaneAuto86

iTrader: (60)

Can you use the plastic tank out of a v6? My friends sister wrecked her v6 she may be parting out and I want to put the plastic tank on my LT1 for weight savings. Is it the same tank?

TWS

iTrader: (63)

Exactly. I looked at the top of an LS1 tank and looked at my LT1 tank and thought "this isn't a simple drop in".

Looking for someone who has done it and can give me a walk-through on how to make it work and work right.

Revelation Z28

iTrader: (10)

i see youre sick of the gauge going down to E everytime you hit the brake or make a hard right too.

TWS

iTrader: (63)

Worse than that. It's totally FUBAR. Don't know if it's the float itself or what. My needle reads over full regardless of how much fuel I have in the tank. It's like the magical never -ending tank of gas.

It started acting a little funky for a while and then quit working altogether a few months ago.

Built LT1

iTrader: (3)

I've read that the plastic LS1 gas tank is 20 pounds lighter than the steel LT1 gas tank. I know somwone who has done the conversion many times. I'll ask and post the answer.

Tony Shepherd

iTrader: (4)

20 pounds lighter? I don't think the LT1 tank weighs but about 20 pounds.

TWS

iTrader: (63)

Yeah, I think that figure is a little "optimistic", but it is lighter nonetheless. Since I had to pull my tank anyway (probably 30-40 pounds, but not more), if it is not too much of a PITA I'm going to do it.

I'll weigh my tank tonight if I can remember and I'll weigh an LS1 tank if I can get my hands on one. I know where one was for sale in the past. Have a message in to that guy to see if he still has it.

fast

iTrader: (24)

ls1 tank ~ 20# (empty w/o bucket/pump)

ls1 sender on left, lt1 on right (both sitting on ls1 tank)

dhdenney

iTrader: (53)

Same problem here. Mine is the sending unit, 99% sure. I had the car at a shop for other things and told him if he was bored to take a gander at the fuel pump bucket. He said it looked like they broke the sender when they put the fuel pump in. Only problem is you have to buy the whole shooting match from GM. My gauge is past pegging out when you fill it up. It shows 3/4 full at empty.

fast

iTrader: (24)

they prob'ly bent the rod to the float, very easy to do

dhdenney

iTrader: (53)

I myself haven't taken the bucket out so is this something I can salvage or will I have to replace? I am going to an Fbody junkyard Wed and might pickup a bucket or maybe just the sending unit, whatever the guy will part with.

fast

iTrader: (24)

in the pic I put up you can see the bucket, it's the beige plastic piece, the level float is sitting on top of it in pic (bucket is hanging to left on ls1 unit pump sits inside)

lt1 unit is a pain to get out (do to the angle), I suggest everyone cut a hole under the hatch to get to it w/o removing the tank if they think the pump is out

daniel6718

iTrader: (36)

the problem is only getting your gauge to work afterwords...if you can make the lt1 sending unit fit into the ls1 tank then your set...lines are the same size...the pump and wiring can be a simple fix only differance is the lt1 pump is grounded in the tank..ls1 is through the computer...but you stilll have a trigger from the pcm for the pump...so the ls1 tank just needs to hae the wire comming out of it grounded, also the sending unit one side get ground and the other hsa a signal to the gauge..

lt1 i think is 0-1xx ohm reading
ls1 is like 40-240so if you used ls1 sending unit you would be empty at about 1/4 tank i think...i know one guy has done it by making the lt1 unit fit into the ls1 tank with the ls1 bucket ect....

daniel6718

iTrader: (36)

the trick also is that the 98 still had a metal tank but did they have twist lock tops? if they did then 98 has the same size fuel lines as 93-97 so you can get a 99 tank 98 bucket assembely and then its a simple swap with the sending unit hiccup...

Built LT1

iTrader: (3)

I know, it doesn't seem right to me either. For the record, I have no idea what the actual weight difference is, only that I read it was 20 pounds lighter. I'll try to cite the source later this evening. If memory serves however, it was a reputable member that psoted the info. If he's wrong then we can ban him.

dhdenney

iTrader: (53)

No offense, but I am having a hard time deciphering your post. I know the LT1 assembly is on the right. Which part is the actual sender?