97 rcsb 2wd 4.3/5spd to LT1/460LE swap

[DentoTheMenace]

first off, LSx is superior to LTx.. more power, more aftermarket parts, more efficient and durable. that being said... i'm still using the LT1/460le I just pulled from the car last week. i'd like to use the LSx, but its just not an option on this build. This is going to be a cheap swap, using as many junkyard/used parts as i can get away with to get it running. Later on after its in and all the kinks are worked out... then comes the aftermarket parts.
what i'm looking for from you guys is any sort of tips and tricks that can help get this swap done over the winter. Like, who makes a good a/c delete pulley and do you still need to notch the frame(would rather not cut any frame by the engine). I've heard that a 93 vette or tpi camaro fuel pump will drop in to replace the truck one to get fuel pumping like it should again. If something left you scratching your head during your build.. please let me know how you came up with a fix.
i'm also looking for some input on pcm tuning. where this is still going to be a pretty much stock engine going in, is there anybody that offers a "basic swap" tune? like deletion of emission systems, vats, and anything else thats not needed.

again, this is truck is going to be for DD/weekend play duty. reliability is more important than anything, but being able to leave rustangs and ricers in the dust has its value.

TL : DR version-- need any and all info for a lt1 OBS swap.. PM it.. email it.. post it any info will be greatly appreciated. thanks for reading my wall of text and feel free to ask questions or try to persuade me to use a LSx!

edit: forgot the lt1 came out of a 95 Caprice 9c1

[pl4yboy]

first off, LSx is superior to LTx.. more power, more aftermarket parts, more efficient and durable. that being said... i'm still using the LT1/460le I just pulled from the car last week. i'd like to use the LSx, but its just not an option on this build. This is going to be a cheap swap, using as many junkyard/used parts as i can get away with to get it running. Later on after its in and all the kinks are worked out... then comes the aftermarket parts.
what i'm looking for from you guys is any sort of tips and tricks that can help get this swap done over the winter. Like, who makes a good a/c delete pulley and do you still need to notch the frame(would rather not cut any frame by the engine). I've heard that a 93 vette or tpi camaro fuel pump will drop in to replace the truck one to get fuel pumping like it should again. If something left you scratching your head during your build.. please let me know how you came up with a fix.
i'm also looking for some input on pcm tuning. where this is still going to be a pretty much stock engine going in, is there anybody that offers a "basic swap" tune? like deletion of emission systems, vats, and anything else thats not needed.

again, this is truck is going to be for DD/weekend play duty. reliability is more important than anything, but being able to leave rustangs and ricers in the dust has its value.

TL : DR version-- need any and all info for a lt1 OBS swap.. PM it.. email it.. post it any info will be greatly appreciated. thanks for reading my wall of text and feel free to ask questions or try to persuade me to use a LSx!

edit: forgot the lt1 came out of a 95 Caprice 9c1

LT1 = Fail.

[straightaxle]

where do you live? a 97 has to pass OBDII emmissions. The LT! you found is OBDI, Its a pain in the ass. I'm in the middle of putting a ramjet 350/700 combo in a 96 4.3/5 speed truck at work, it had been the biggest pain in the ass.

If you want an old body style truck with a conventional v8 just sell yours and buy a factory obs vortec 350 truck pull it apart and build a 383 out of it, it will be waaaay more simple, and faster

but here goes
-The driveshaft is too long, and it has the wrong yolk
-you'll need motor mounts (clamshells and inserts)
-you'll need to have your computer reflashed to run the engine (figure $350-$450)
-modify the harness to run with the LT1 (more work than you would think)
-modify the trans crossmember (its too far forward in the 5 speed location, and there isn't holes in the frame to move it rearward)
-you'll need a radiator with a transmission cooler and you'll need to make cooler lines
-you can reuse the stock pump as long as its in good shape, only need 30 gph
-the headers are wicked expensive ($450 for uncoated steel long tubes)
-I don't think the B body accessorys will work, you might be able to use the v6 brackets though

Keep in mind that if and when the water pump fails it WILL waste the optispark the cap and rotor costs $165, the distributor is $179, the module is $119, and the water pump is another $60 (and these prices are just for replacement parts at napa) An MSD adjustable optispark is over $500

you said you want to do this on a budget. An LT1 is a rich mans motor

It will take lots of money to make that thing a mustang killer.

[Chevy-Art]

Is this what you are looking for?
Bowers Race and Rod Shop - Pulley Information

[pl4yboy]

If you want an old body style truck with a conventional v8 just sell yours and buy a factory obs vortec 350 truck pull it apart and build a 383 out of it, it will be waaaay more simple, and faster

TBI? Fast? Whatever drugs you're on, I want some.

[GasGuzzler]

I think he meant the swap would be faster. Let's hope.

[pl4yboy]

I think he meant the swap would be faster. Let's hope.

Dear baby Jesus, please let the fellow forum member, straightaxle, be high on drugs or off his regular medication. Or as the good sir, Nathan, put it, speaking in reference to the swapping in itsself. If not, I fear I will have to cause serious harm to myself for reading that statement as my IQ has dropped a good 12-14 points.

Amen.

[straightaxle]

I was talking about a vortec 350, not a TBI, and yes faster as in better ET than the LT1 swap and quicker as in less time consuming than an LT1 swap.

[pl4yboy]

I was talking about a vortec 350, not a TBI, and yes faster as in better ET than the LT1 swap and quicker as in less time consuming than an LT1 swap.

ROFL. Funny guy.

[Frenchy]

Honestly go with a carb'd traditional small block or an LS. All that in between crap is exactly that, crap.