[lockdoc]

I just picked up a 95 LT1 Cop car engine. Iron head. I have the complete engine, wiring harness, PCM and accessories. I just scored a set of factory service manuals for the 95 Caprice off Ebay to go with my Astro manuals. The wiring harness is very intimidating. Much different than my CPI to TBI conversion. Does anyone have any write up about your LT1 swap and/or pics? Mainly I need a starting point. How much of the harness will I need to use? How did you mount the accessories? Do you know how much crap I can get rid of on the engine? This damn thing bent my engine stand it is so heavy. All I need emmission wise is cats to pass inspection. Thanks for the help.

 

[ASTROJOE LT1]

Lockdoc, I think there is still some of my posting in the archive on my LT1 swap. I will take a look and see what I can find. Since I did my swap I have learned a lot more about the wiring which I had Jim at ( [email protected] ) mesh my wiring harness together.I put mine together in OBD 1 so I would not have to go through the inspection here in NC. I am only running two oxygen sensors, but I am using the full smog set up so I can get the 22 miles to a gallon that I do. I will get back to you
Joe

 

[lockdoc]

Thanks Joe. I looked through the archives and couldn't find anything. Hopefully I just missed it. It's my understanding that the 95 I have is OBD 1. Or what some would call OBD 1 1\2. I also found that the Corvette (yours) and the Caprice (mine) have different acc brackets. I'm assuming your AC and alt are on the drivers side where mine are on the pass side. I'm thinking the vette brackets would be easier.

 

[skippy]

Hey Bill , surprized to see you here . 95 LT1 huh ??? going in the kids van or the cargo ???

 

[ASTROJOE LT1]

Bill, I just went through the archives and I can't find my post either. It was a long one that lots of members were in on when I did my swap. It must have gotten lost in the last crash.If you got this engine out of a Caprice,make sure it is not the BABY LT1.Here is a website that helps on the ID your block:http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Article/2562/rebuilding_the_chevrolet_lt1_engine.aspx
This website gives you some info the basic connections:http://www.lt1swap.com/95impalalt1.htm
This is the guy I used to program the vats out of my PCM.:http://www.madz28.com/

I am running a Camaro Bracket and camaro radiator but I am getting ready to change it to the Corvette one so I can get my AC back .You have to notch the frame if you use the camaro-caprice bracket for the compressor. Even that does not give you much room to work.
I will get back with some more info soon.
Joe

 

[lockdoc]

Thanks Joe. I had allready checked the numbers. But the big 5.7 on the back of the block let me know it wasn't the baby. Still checking on the PCM to see if it is 95 or the OBD 2 96.

 

[ASTROJOE LT1]

Bill , If it is a 16188051 part number it is an OBD 1 PCM and the one you need.
Joe

 

[lockdoc]

The PCM is a 16214399 which is the 96 OBD 2 model. My motor also has a crank position sensor. So I guess I should assume I have an OBD 2 setup. Apparently the one you mention, 16188051, was for the 94-95 setups. I guess mine came from a late model 95.

 

[Glasspacker]

HA!!! I'm doing this exact conversion!!! I've got a 1993 Astro EXT and I just pulled apart a 1995 Police interceptor!!! I'm even rocking the steelies cop wheels on the front of my Astro!!! Awesomeness...

 

[Mr_Roboto]

Hey Bill can you do some scans of the harness for the cop car motor? If so, I'd love to have a dig at this......

 

[lockdoc]

You asking for the wiring diagrams Alex? I don't have them yet. Other than the stuff I have found on the net. Manuals are not here yet. Here is what I have.

 

[ASTROJOE LT1]

Bill , I can't wait to see you get it shined up like I had mine when I 1st installed it.

 

[Mr_Roboto]

Are you going to let it be, or are you going to cam it Bill? The one that is in there is very similar to a Vortec 350's 191/196. The LT1 has the advantage with the fuel system though, no spider to deal with. If you wanted to really go crazy with it you could without any issues.

 

[WDMICKJR]

when you said the wiring harness is intimidating ..well that is really profound.
time is a big factor. it takes time. for me i had to be by myself and think of a new harness at $300+ dollars. i used labels, diagrams, solder, butane, and plenty shrink wrap.

i have a '95 LT1 from a buick roadmaster with a soloman tune. and the van is a '87.
this is all need to RUN engine for OBD1.
no emissions
no vats
VSS codes disabled. for the 700r4. another 95 4L60e trans is showing up here soon...there may be stalling coming up to a red right caused by no VSS. i dunno yet, and this may not happen. maybe idle screw tuning will help??

-injectors
-map
-maf
-tps
-iac
-iat
-grounds(s)
-rhO2
-lhO2
-opti-spark
-coil(s)
-ign module
-cts
-fan
-and ks(s)

I am ready to sew mine up and start engine here really dang soon.

yet i am still baffled where i should place PCM.

i thought of replacing battery location and mounting PCM there.
i thought of replacing old ECM and fabricating a location there for the PCM.

ANY TIPS ON WHERE TO PUT PCM?
WHERE DID YOU LT1 OWNERS PUT YOUR PCM?

yes you will have to modify the frame using the non-corvette accessories/bracket for the a/c compressor. I got an a/c delete pulley for temporary. also i am going to have to customize another location for the ac dryer, cause i will probably keep the camaro/impala/buick style bracket on that side.

i have yet to buy a battery for the van. i got a single 16" 220 watt fan on ebay for $38. i bought a new starter cause engine came with out, for $52. i am using 700r4 (i will need aftermarket tcc lock up kit) and original radiator. egr block off plates on ebay, $12. i got a/c delete pulley on ebay for $38. later when more time and money is available i will get bracket for a/c and mount at the corvette style location. new melling 55HV. oil and consumables; less than $1000 for van and LT1.
time=priceless. about 2 weeks of gathering all i needed. about 2 weeks of hands on actual time involved. but i have been on this project longer.

exhaust will be simple true dual with out catalytic(s).

i have a problem with the heat shield on the LT1 factory manifold on left side of engine touching the floorboard. the slots in the JTR mounts are not jammed up yet and i think i can get engine over 3/8" - 1/2" and maybe trim there at the floor board where the doghouse cover comes up to meet.

i got lost in my wiring for it seemed perplexing to begin. it was time consuming. but it can be done. there is therapy in it. lol. and it is an education. but i have good news!! i did it so can you.

my info came from :

http://www.lt1pcmtuning.com
http://www.shoebox.com
http://www.lt1swap.com
http://www.ls1lt1.com

 

[90lownslow]

what is the difference between the baby and the big boy. I have thought about this swap myself and it is good to learn I am not the only one. I would assume size but what does the different sizes equal out to.

 

[moneymaker]

You have 3 different lt1's. Which all three are 5.7liters. Then there's the l99 I believe is the code. Its a 4.3v8 which looks identical to the lt1. And of course the daddy of all for that era is the lt4!

 

[WDMICKJR]

the 70's had a carburetor on a LT1.
then the LT1 come out in the 92 corvettes.
the LT4 came out in 96 corvettes.
where is this 3rd LT1?

LT5 ..good luck
L99 is the 4.3.

 

[moneymaker]

What I meant was for that era there were 3 different hp/tq/programming on lt1's. As well as the cast iron heads and aluminum heads. This applies to gen2 lt1. Gen1 lt1 is a totally different breed!

 

[Mr_Bowtie]

Whats the difference between the generations of LT1's? Is there a difference with OBD 1 and OBD II LT1's? Just curious if I ever run across a LT1 I wanna know what I'm looking at. The only difference I ever knew was iron and aluminum heads.

 

[moneymaker]

Gen2 has 3 different cams with programming differences as well. Lt1 in the b and d body cars(caprice,roadmaster,fleetwood) had better torque down low. They also had iron heads. F body(camaro, transam) had their own cam and programming with aluminum heads. Vettes had their own cam and programming with aluminum heads but was vette only as a 4bolt mains block. We are currently running 96 vette lt1 which was obd2 under obd1 electronics in a 95 chevy 1500. Lt4 was the best of that design. Totally different heads, cam, valves, upper plenum, and programming! It is same block as vette lt1.