I have a 94 z28 auto that has a tired lt1 in it..i really want to do a ls1 swap in it maybe even a 5.3 or 6.0...question is how hard is the swap?whats all needed for a complete ls1 swap?im sure someone has done it i just could not find the threads..
any help and tips would be appreciated.

 

I have a thread, the Merv has a thread, mattsapp has one and a couple other guys...
Complete engine, k member, steering, wiring, ecm, sensors, transmission, transmission cross member, mad wiring skills, tune, and other misc stuff like ac system heater hoses trans cooler freon etc. Etc. Etc

 

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...on-sticky.html

 

I don't think so.

 

Here's mine.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...-1994-z28.html

As far as the trans crossmember the LS1 one has different mounting points than the LT1 body. I used my LT1 crossmember and extended it and braced it a few inches backwards to accept the mount bolt.

All in all it's a fairly straightforward swap.

 

look at the cost to HP per each engine first, just to get it to a stock LS! swap is gonna cost you 5-6 grand just to swap in a stock engine and trans, take the same $ and refresh the tired LT1 and you end up with way more HP or less investment. unless your dead set on an ls1 swap like the rest of the world, but even then it still might be cheaper to just buy a ls1 car

 

That's an old worthless argument, fyi. The LT1 and it's aftermarket support are dying out. The only 3 options for dead ones are rebuilds, swaps, or the scrapyard.
And I have to say, it's a thousand times nicer doing anything to a nearly new engine that had a steady engineering foundation than these old stepping stone LT1's.

 

I think those would be options for any dead engine

With enough money both can go fast. I love 4th gen's so much I had to have both

 

i rebuilt it, put a blower on it, and regularly embarrass LS1s 8 days a week. lt1 parts drying up? yea, i guess your right, they dont sell OPTI sparks anymore. ls1s are the new and greatest, i give you that, but these old dinosaurs still hang with the best of them.

 

Good for you. That recent thread about that custom CNC'd twin screw blower really made me want an LT1, if just for that.
But seriously, look at how hard it is to get anyone to back any new development of aftermarket stuff. The big cube/aluminum LT1 block is a good example.
Hell, even the LS1/6 stuff is on it's way to the back burner with the new generation.
But take a good hard look at it all, and tell me what market has the most support and choices in what you can throw at it.

 

What do you embarrass, bolt on LS cars? Race one with similar mods...

I have one of each as well.

 

not arguing the constant development of newer LSX components, but people get too caught up in the LS swap and could spend way less money upgrading thier existing platform, basing thier entire decision on hype and not fully educating themselves as to all of the options avaliable. what are the HP goals for the car? either platform can make the power, its just a matter of how deep your pockets are, and how far down the rabbits hole you want to go. beswt of luck either way you decide to go and keep us updated with your plans/hopes/aspirations. it just seems to me that to buy a ls1 outright would be more cost effective than swapping it into an lt1 car.

 

win some lose some, most ls guys around here went nitrous. theres even a few dinosaur small block chevy guys running around here too with some toyota AE86s, supras, WRXs and the rest of the gambit. theres always someone faster right around the corner

 

lsx motors are going to get replaced sooner or later. hope i still see em even when theyre dinosaurs. lol

 

Ill sell you my lt1 complete only thing not stock would be the ceramic coated jba headers and CAI. 84k miles. Pm me if interested. I'm going LS just because I don't have anything invested in my lt1 except for maintenance. Plus I want a stock shortblock that can handle boost. And if it blows onto another one.

 

It's not hard to do. T56 uses the same crossmember when you use the LS Kmember..the auto one is close from what I've read.

 

Merv did it with a 95 Z28, then a 98 v6 car, then his Monte SS, and an S10:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...on-sticky.html

He converted and then went with a turbo:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-m...going-lq9.html

97badass and myself are in the middle of converting now:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...dark-side.html

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...-6-0-swap.html

If you want to use a TH400/TH350:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...questions.html

Some wiring info:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...rsion-how.html

 

^^^^ glad to see people help instead of arguing. Good luck man

 

lmfao.. come see me and my "stepping stone" anytime... and bring some money. I'm going low 10's all day with under 4k invested. Aftermarket is EVERYWHERE and thriving for LT1's just as much as the LS1's... every god damned part is the same fitment aside from the motor and a few rare things.

The LT1's are anything but dead dinosaurs. Is the LS1 a better motor? Yes, in almost every way. Is the LT1 still kicking *** all over the place? Yes. I'm the fastest car in my all-LS1 car club with the only LT1. Real simple NA build.

 

Yup, There is actually more performance parts now for our LT's then when I purchased mine back in 95. I rebuilt mine and used all stock GM parts, Heads, Intake, did a cam, bolt ons and a supercharger. Cost for the rebuild and supercharger was about the same for an LS motor, HP?? Try 722 RWHP on the little ole antiquated LT1...