LS1 in a 87 Formula Firebird???
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1
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From: Hazleton, Pa. 18201
LS1 in a 87 Formula Firebird??? I have a brand new LS1 engine that is just dying to be installed in my firebird formula. I have a 700R4 trans in the car now. Where can i get a harness which is simple and i can still use this tranny??? Any tips on installation?
On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 188
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From: Chicagoland
Re: LS1 in a 87 Formula Firebird??? I'm assuming the 700 is not a 4L60E, meaning not electronically controlled.
3 things
1-you'd need to fabricate a TV cable, as LS1's had no need for this.
2-you'd only have to worry about TCC lockup electronics. You could even do this separate from the computer if you like. I'm not sure if the 4L60E does it differently than the regular 4L60. It's just a switch to ground on the 4L60/700r4. B&M has a nice controller that is very basic, but you may be able to integrate the lockup from the LS1 harness.
3-Vehicle speed sensor is in the tailshaft of the tranny, and if you don't have one for an input to the PCM, you *may* need to have a PCM done custom to work w/o it.
If you are talking about a complete harness for the engine/trans, the way I would do it would be to hunt down a regular LS1 computer & harness, and hack the tranny part out of it. Putting a 4L60E in it would be a good idea, as you can adjust shiftpoints & converter lockup through LS1 Edit then. Valvegod can sell you harness/computer, trans if you need. Speartech can sell you custom harnesses, nicely done, but a bit more expensive than the stock ones pulled from junkers etc.
Ebay has lotsa parts as well.
Brian Green
89 TTA
2001 Jeep TJ
3 things
1-you'd need to fabricate a TV cable, as LS1's had no need for this.
2-you'd only have to worry about TCC lockup electronics. You could even do this separate from the computer if you like. I'm not sure if the 4L60E does it differently than the regular 4L60. It's just a switch to ground on the 4L60/700r4. B&M has a nice controller that is very basic, but you may be able to integrate the lockup from the LS1 harness.
3-Vehicle speed sensor is in the tailshaft of the tranny, and if you don't have one for an input to the PCM, you *may* need to have a PCM done custom to work w/o it.
If you are talking about a complete harness for the engine/trans, the way I would do it would be to hunt down a regular LS1 computer & harness, and hack the tranny part out of it. Putting a 4L60E in it would be a good idea, as you can adjust shiftpoints & converter lockup through LS1 Edit then. Valvegod can sell you harness/computer, trans if you need. Speartech can sell you custom harnesses, nicely done, but a bit more expensive than the stock ones pulled from junkers etc.
Ebay has lotsa parts as well.
Brian Green
89 TTA
2001 Jeep TJ
Teching In
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24
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From: Stuart, Florida
Re: LS1 in a 87 Formula Firebird??? I recently put an Ls1 and a4 in my 90 IROC. I got the engine/tranny combo so I did not have the tranny issues you will have. I used the painless wiring harness because it was the cheapist, about $450. If I had to do it again, I'd use one from speartech. It costs more, but it'll be worth it. The painless was ok, exept they actually had the cam position sensor and map sensor wiring mis-labled. No wonder I couldn't get it to fit!
I had to also notch out the cradle and reweld to have a decent amount of clearance for the oil pan. You may not have to do this, I used the engine adaptors from street and performance for about $90. Everything pretty much lined up. Of course, be prepared to spend some cash and devote a good deal of time. The hooker shorties will work, but if you can find any info as to what others might fit, it'll surely benefit your quest for hp. Hope this helps some. Sean
I had to also notch out the cradle and reweld to have a decent amount of clearance for the oil pan. You may not have to do this, I used the engine adaptors from street and performance for about $90. Everything pretty much lined up. Of course, be prepared to spend some cash and devote a good deal of time. The hooker shorties will work, but if you can find any info as to what others might fit, it'll surely benefit your quest for hp. Hope this helps some. Sean
