Hey everyone. Has anyone tried to drop a Gen II LT1 into a Buick. I have a perfectly running engine that I'm thinking of dropping in the lark. Reasons for this is that I can not afford to build the big block that I have that needs a little work. I think swapping the engines would benefit me in the long run. Any ideas if the TH-400 will work without any mods and if motor mounts would be a big concern?
Dropping the LT-1 in will not be any different than putting in any other chevy small block. The TH-400 (if its a chevy) will bolt up to the LT-1(if its a BOP trans, ur s.o.l.), but are you going fuel injected or carbureted? if you're going fuel injected, the cost of the fuel system upgrade, a new harness, cooling fans etc will get pretty close to the cost of going thru your BBB. If you're going carbureted, get the manifold, a GM HEI, remove the dummy gear in the back of the motor, and rock on-
I going with fuel injection. I already have electric cooling fans. I was planning on using the stock engine harness and eliminating everything not needed for engine running. I have yet to pull engine from my caprice. I thought my biggest investment in this would be some kind of ECU and getting the fuel system upgraded.
I would recommend (because I've put LT's into things they don't belong in) getting a harness from Street and Performance in Mena, Arkansas. I would also suggest (not knowing exactly what year you are using) sending them the computer and having it re-flashed. This will eliminate the VATS (security) and MAF, so you'll only run speed density-they can do other things to it as well. If you are using a Chevy transmission, thats all you need to worry about for the drivetrain. Next is fuel. You need the fittings from your donor car. You'll have to use an in-line hi pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel line. You'll also need to upgrade the fuel return to the tank. You can insert the pump in place of your existing fuel filter, but you'll have to go high pressure line after that(put a filter in before the pump). I would also suggest replacing the optispark (if motor has 60K or more miles on it) and waterpump while the engine is out. Next, you'll need to figure out the fans- you can go mild to wild, but you'll need at least a thermostatically controlled switch to turn them on and off. The rest is pretty straightforward. As for the cost breakdown (from my last project)- The re-flash of the ECU was $250, the harness was $500, the fans were $400, Optispark was $300, and another $200 for a new waterpump, fuel pump and related clamps, lines, etc around $200- About $1850.00 not including mounts, a$$ pain if you've never done it before, and the possibility of needing a new trans if you don't already have a chevy bolt pattern trans-and I almost forgot- the a/c might not clear your frame rail on the pass side, so, you have 4 options, use Corvette brackets ($300 from dealer) aftermarket brackets (about $250) an a/c delete pulley ($50, but still may not clear) or cut the frame- Good luck- hope this helps All in all, your gonna spend in excess of $2000 to install a 265 HP, Cast iron headed Chevy into your Buick. I think I can build a 455 here in Hawaii, for less than that. I'm not talking a high-preformance motor, just a good, reliable runner. There is also the option of Buying another BBB that you can hear run, re-gasket it, clean it up, and install it and be driving in a weekend- Just my .02- Bryan
I don't have to spend as much as your talking unless I need a trans. Water pump and opti is new. No vats because it's an old police car. Would I be able to use the ecm out of the caprice and have it reproggramed?
Yes you can, but reprogrammed for what? If it's a 93 ECU its already speed density, and unless your doing a cam swap or other preformance upgrades, no need to flash. Good luck.
i would spend the money on gen 3 or 4 v8 imo if i was doing this swap ls1 will kill an lt1 in anyway you want to put it power mpg reliabilty etc...
Except the price of the parts....!! And an LS1 drivetrain would be well over $5000 to do correctly- 2 1/2 times this guys $2000 budget. Been there, done that.
How hard is it to put an Gen III V8 in a Datsun Z car? Been thinking about that or a 62-67 Chevy II wagon with an aftermarket front clip. Thanks,
From a power only standpoint, that's true. Considering the price of gas lately, an EFI small block isn't a terrible way to go. With a 4L60/60e tranny, you can easily knock down over 25mpg on the highway. I know in a Chevy truck, alot of LT1 guys prefer to find the Vette accessory drive (driver's side). Otherwise, you do need to notch the frame on the pass. side to clear the AC comp.
Not always on the notch, the G-body guys get away with the B/D-body accessory drive system by marking a conventional SBC mount and drilling it as the AC compressor rear bracket instead of using the LT1 passengers side offset mount. I think it would be better to keep it all Buick, I got surpisingly good mileage out of my low compression 300-2 and I hear guys getting decent milage out of 350's. Take one of the new Megasquirt EFI systems and modify an intake for the injectors and use a universal 4bbl TB. Another option is the Rover V8 for EFI and OD but it'd be less straight forward to make work.
I used a combination of march pulleys and an aftermarket bracket setup in my 92 short wide. LT1 never looked so good.
LT1 is an awesome motor. should be a cool swap, probably going to catch alot of attitude about the SBC thing, but if they ever driven an LT1 car, they would be all for it. you seem to have a handle on the info. the stock computer should be ok. The cars are very similar weight wise, so the factory configurations should be good aslong as the axle ratio is close. The computer harness will be easy to wire as long as nothing is cut. The speedo will be tricky though..
