Ok I pln to change my LT1 to a 1220041 ECM. I will use an OBDII front cover etc etc....

OK my question is I wondered if I could use the harness from a v6 4.3 VORTEC Motor Harness from an S10?

I want to use the connectors to mate to a 12200411 and hope the ECM connectors are the same. The reason is they are a dime a dozen and all over the junkyard.

Thanks
Jack

 

You can use the S10 harness for parts. After you spend a few hours looking at your harness, the S10 harness, your vehicle's wiring diagrams, and the S10 wiring diagrams, you'll see that you can use most of your LT1 harness.

If using a 4x crank reluctor (which requires a 2001-2002 Express Van calibration) for single coil and distributor ignition, then you can easily satisify the crank signal requirement by using a 96-97 LT1 timing cover and crank reluctor. HOWEVER, you still need a 1x cam signal that the optispark does not provide. There's your challenge.

If using a 24x crank reluctor (which requires ANY LS type calibration), then you have a little more harness work and more cost in extra parts (like ignition coils, etc).

 

First thanks for the reply. I am thinking of modding an lt1 intake to take a distributer, then I would add the Vortec distributer to get the 1x signal but use the opti to distribute the spark.

The advantage would be using the large opti cap but not the opti electronics. The downside is the extra distributor and hassle of muckig up an intake. I am starting to lean toward simply spending the money up front to avoid all that...

The old pay me now or pay me later problem...I am not interested in individual coils so my next question is can I buy just the 24x front gear, timing cover, hub snout and convert to single coil without Vortec distributer?

 

You cannot.

24x = Distributor-Less Ignition
4x = Single Coil and Distributor

Your best solution would be to have a new optispark wheel laser cut with a 1x cam signal. Then you can use one of the two optical sensors inside the optispark. But that won't be easy or cheap for a one-off piece. You're further ahead to put a distributor in the LT1 intake for the 1x cam signal.

 

Thanks for clearing that up. I am back to modifying the LT1 intake to accept a Vortec distributor. It is less 'elegant' but sounds like a viable solution and the most straight forward approach.

This is for a rearmount Buick Roadmaster with a T76 that will have a 204/204 .530 with 4L80E (currently it has a T70 4L60E). It is a fun dd and next in a couple years I will do a simliar project. The next project will be an 1988 Monte Carlo with twin MPT70's " 4L80E....

That setup will be a old style block so Vortec will be easy since it will need a distributor.

Thanks again

 

What is the 1 x signal? Is it Top Deadcenter? 12 volt or 5 volt?

 

The reason I ask about the 1 x signal is another solution is to use the Opti's high resolution and low resoluton to generate the signal. The problem with this solution is it requires the opti to be operational.

 

Please explain the picture, what system is it compatable with? with the Vortec?

 

It is a Vortec distributer that will provide the 1x signal to the ecm. Since I will use the opti to distribute spark he showed a pic with a cover instead of a cap used for plug wires.

 

K I see, thanks.

 

Who sells that cover for a vortec distrubitor?