93 Chevy Z71 - 97 LT1 Swap

Well the swap has officially started and I figured I'd try to document it best I can. This is a 1993 Chevy Z71 with a 350 TBI and a 4L60E tranny. The donor is an LT1 engine and computer from a 97 T/A.

-Electrical - I've decided to use the factory harness from the LT1 and doing a little splice work. More details on this when I get there.

-Accessories - I debated on using the Vette bracket to relocate the accessories to the driver side but after careful measuring I don't think that will be necessary. I am going to use an A/C delete pulley for now and later on install an A/C relocation kit I found on Bowers Race and Rod Shop to mount the compressor high on the driver side. Will also have to have custom A/C lines made, but that will be later. The 2/80 A/C will have to work for now.

-Power Steering - The power steering lines will fit into my gearbox and the reservoir will be mounted on the passenger side of the engine compartment.

-Radiator - I will be using the T/A radiator for ease of routing the coolant hoses.

-Fuel - I bought and installed an intank fuel pump for a T/A and used the factory sending unit from the truck. I think that I'm going to take the easy way out and use rubber fuel line from the truck lines to the fuel rail.

-Exhaust - I already have Flow Tech shorty headers that I will be using with a high flow cat and Flowmaster 40 series muffler dumped before the axle.

- The old TBI will be out, engine compartment cleaned, and LT1 stabbed tomorrow. Then the real fun begins. I will keep this updated.

Pics Here - Ian Robinson's Photos - LT1 Swap Pics | Facebook

Day 2 and the LT1 is sittin' pretty, well it's sittin', in the truck.

Just a little background on this project. This is a semi-daily driver and I'm working with a very short time frame here. So, cleanliness has taken a backseat to functionality and time constraints. I mention this because normally I would have cleaned up the engine compartment and parts much better if I had more time. It will be cleaned up once all is operational. Anyhow...

The old TBI has hit the ground and been rolled out the door.

I replaced the factory fuel sender, cause it hasn't worked since I bought the truck and installed a new 45 psi in-tank fuel pump.

I used the original motor mounts and the motor slid right in as though it was meant for the truck.

The flywheel cover did have to be trimmed slightly around the starter because the original had a different offset apparently. Nothing a sharp blade and power tools couldn't take care of.

The A/C delete bracket came very close to the sub-frame support but it cleared.

Installed the drivers side header and then realized I needed to weld an O2 bung (great word btw) onto the passenger side header collector, which will be done in the morn.

The 4x4 has an oil filter adapter that mounts the filter sideways to clear the front drive shaft and has oil cooler lines that went to the original radiator. I omitted this and went with a shorty filter since the T/A radiator doesn't have an oil cooler. I don't do a lot of towing and don't think this will cause an issue with oil temp, but I'm contemplating adding an external cooler later.

The wiring fun starts tomorrow and hopefully will go smooth enough thanks to alldata wiring diagrams. Radiator mounts, mounting the P/S reservoir, and ECM are also on the list for tomorrow. Full day planned, thank goodness for energy drinks and good weather.

I'm going to post a link to the pics on my Facebook, let me know if it doesn't work and I will post here instead. Ian Robinson's Photos - LT1 Swap Pics | Facebook

Quote:

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Originally Posted by biggstkk

The A/C delete bracket came very close to the sub-frame support but it cleared.

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its still pretty close in your pics. depending on how much flex your motor mounts have and how hard you run it(fwd-R-fwd-R-fwd-R-fwd in a mudhole), you may want to give it a little more room.

i wish i had seen the bowers bracket before i bought mine..

Yesterday, i worked on the wiring. The original ECM is behind the glove box in the truck and the engine wiring comes in through the firewall just under the coolant reservoir. I cut all the original sensors off at the firewall and connected the harness to the engine and tranny. Also ran the wires for the 4wheel drive components. Plan on splicing the wires that go inside the passenger compartment into the wires coming out of the firewall next week. I go back to work tomorrow and won't have a chance to work on it till next tues. I was going to spend a little time on it today but my buddy came up with tickets to the Dallas Stars game. Gotta hate diversions. LOL So, my baby sits till next week after I get off of work from the rig. Be back soon.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DentoTheMenace

its still pretty close in your pics. depending on how much flex your motor mounts have and how hard you run it(fwd-R-fwd-R-fwd-R-fwd in a mudhole), you may want to give it a little more room.

i wish i had seen the bowers bracket before i bought mine..

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I've given that some thought and yes it is very close. Once I get the engine running I'm going to see how much movement I have and plan accordingly. More than likely I will cut and move the sub frame support for a little more clearance.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DentoTheMenace

its still pretty close in your pics. depending on how much flex your motor mounts have and how hard you run it(fwd-R-fwd-R-fwd-R-fwd in a mudhole), you may want to give it a little more room.

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I think I'm going to simply cut that sub frame brace and weld it a little further forward. I believe that will give me the clearance I need and maintain the strength, if any, it adds.