Swapping SBC into LT1 F car
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,941
Likes: 33
From: Conroe, Texas
Well, i am olmost there! I ended up uding a third gen radiator, and is for too tight, so i shaved the sides a little, verry snug fit, i was having starter issues, but i have it corrected now....
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,941
Likes: 33
From: Conroe, Texas
Well, FINALLY got her to fire after hours apon hours of making all the odds and ends come together, i was not thinking i was going to get it to fire tonight but i refused to stop till it breathed fire, tomorrow i will tune it and get the exhaust on her and legal. MAN this damn pro form water pump is loud as ****!
Very nice man, when it's all said and done, care to make a nice write-up on a SBC swap into an LT1 fbody? With careful attention to fuel system routing, etc. It would be greatly appreciated. I am planning on doing something of this sort with a friend of mine and we'd like to know exactly what needs to be done, and if it's worth it.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,941
Likes: 33
From: Conroe, Texas
Ask me anything you need to know, a for the fuel line, i removed the factory plastic lines and installed low pressure 5/8 fuel line in its place directly as i could in the front of the car, the rear was replaced by the same hose but i ran thru a holley black fuel pump mounted on the driver side in front of the axle, power was routed thru the relays under the hood for power, on with ignition on the key and a switch if i need to turn it off mounted in the front of the center console.
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Joined: Nov 2008
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Swapping SBC into LT1 F car I came accross this thread, and thought I'd chime in. I just did a SBC into an LT1 F car as well (1994 Firebird). Things to note in my swap were keeping all the stock accessories and use a SuperRam intake manifold and stuffing it all under the cowl without cutting it.
The SuperRam upper plenum is a piece that the late, great, John Lingenfelter made for testing but never sold. It was reduced in height slightly and the throttle body is on a bit of a downward angle to fit it under the cowl. He used it on an LT1 engine, of course. I happen to get ahold of one of these when I was at his shop for work one time, about a year before he died.
Here are links to pics and more info. It's somewhat incomplete at the moment, since I'm not finished yet. The car is on the road now, runs well. Right now I am dealing with all of the electronics incompatabilities, such as speedo, tach, etc.
http://nostar.net/?q=node/2
http://nostar.net/gallery/vroom
Doug
The SuperRam upper plenum is a piece that the late, great, John Lingenfelter made for testing but never sold. It was reduced in height slightly and the throttle body is on a bit of a downward angle to fit it under the cowl. He used it on an LT1 engine, of course. I happen to get ahold of one of these when I was at his shop for work one time, about a year before he died.
Here are links to pics and more info. It's somewhat incomplete at the moment, since I'm not finished yet. The car is on the road now, runs well. Right now I am dealing with all of the electronics incompatabilities, such as speedo, tach, etc.
http://nostar.net/?q=node/2
http://nostar.net/gallery/vroom
Doug
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,941
Likes: 33
From: Conroe, Texas
Wow Doug, you managed to do what most think is not possible, interesting way to gain clearance
I like what you have done in that route of decision making. My water pump **** out already for some reason ,i was just testing it and it died...
I had to trim the under skeleton to make it work, it still "rubs" but it closed fine
I like what you have done in that route of decision making. My water pump **** out already for some reason ,i was just testing it and it died... Registered User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Is it a CSR water pump? CSR swears they are good for 50,000+ miles. I'm planning a nationwide road trip as soon as I get all the bugs worked out. Maybe I better bring a spare motor...
I also have some questions and comments about your swap:
What did you do about the motor mounts? Are you using a tube cross member from BMR or otherwise made for small blocks? Or did you decide to take your chances with 2 out of 3 bolt holes? (I thought about it for quite a while)
Have you, or are u planning on making a rear support bracket for the alternator and A/C compressor? I'd like to see what you made if so.
FWIW, I was able to use the LT1 radiator with no problems. Engine cools fine and I have heat.
I also have some questions and comments about your swap:
What did you do about the motor mounts? Are you using a tube cross member from BMR or otherwise made for small blocks? Or did you decide to take your chances with 2 out of 3 bolt holes?
(I thought about it for quite a while)Have you, or are u planning on making a rear support bracket for the alternator and A/C compressor? I'd like to see what you made if so.
FWIW, I was able to use the LT1 radiator with no problems. Engine cools fine and I have heat.
Last edited by nostar; Nov 8, 2008 at 08:18 PM. Reason: more questions
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,941
Likes: 33
From: Conroe, Texas
No, it is a cheap *** pro form, i have a frined that has used 3 or 4 with no problem, so i do not know what the hell my problem is...
I have had a few people say they had no problem with the motor mounts so i chanced it, it is a street car with maybe 425 HP and will see verry litle use at the track with radials.
I might try something later for the bracket support, i have a couple ideas.
I could not find hosed that would allow me to use the stock radiator and reduce from the 1 and 1/2 size to the smaller LT1 hose, so the third gen radiator was just a quick fix, i got tired of not finding what i needed to make it possible, which sucks since the fans are hel din place with zip ties now.
I have had a few people say they had no problem with the motor mounts so i chanced it, it is a street car with maybe 425 HP and will see verry litle use at the track with radials.
I might try something later for the bracket support, i have a couple ideas.
I could not find hosed that would allow me to use the stock radiator and reduce from the 1 and 1/2 size to the smaller LT1 hose, so the third gen radiator was just a quick fix, i got tired of not finding what i needed to make it possible, which sucks since the fans are hel din place with zip ties now.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,941
Likes: 33
From: Conroe, Texas
I removed the stock pump out of the tank, ran a line to the lowest part of the tank, then re installed the tank after blocking off the return line in the rear. Then installed a holley black in front of the axle on the driver side. Ran 5/8 hose on place of al the factory fuel tubing that was not metal.
I removed the stock pump out of the tank, ran a line to the lowest part of the tank, then re installed the tank after blocking off the return line in the rear. Then installed a holley black in front of the axle on the driver side. Ran 5/8 hose on place of al the factory fuel tubing that was not metal.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,941
Likes: 33
From: Conroe, Texas
Alright, it is alive finally, i had to swap out the belt system from my 89 RS since i could not make the other **** work right now. So, i will be driving it tomorrow God willing!!!
