Introduction and LS1/LT1 question.

[JJ46]

Hey guys... I was a member of this site a few years ago, when I owned a 96Z, M6 black, tan leather interior, t-tops, etc. I unfortunatly had to sell the car when work required me to have a truck. Glad to be back on the site though.

I am in the market for another F-body. I obviously want an LS1, but I prefer the pre 98' body style....

I imagine that swapping an LS1 into an LT1 car is a matter of swapping wiring harness, computer, and engine... not too difficult, right? Have any of you done this, and what was the most difficult part(s)?

Thanks in advance.

[Cade93TA]

im curious too

I too like the pre '98 body style ( trans am) but was wanting the performance of an LS1.
Let me add on to his question.
Which is easier: an overhaul that will give LS1 performance?
Or swaping engines?

Im only asking because the milage is getting up there on my 93 TA

thanks

[Mirroredshades]

Seems a bit extreme to me. I too prefer the look of the pre 98 TA's. I would have rather had an LS1 but it really isn't that hard to make an LT1 fast either. For the money I would just build the LT1. I have seen wrecked LS1 cars go for as low as $1800 for organ donor purposes but I could make an LT1 seriously fast for that money.

Just my $.02

[JJ46]

I don't know... one thing to consider is weight... The aluminum block of the LS1 is a serious weight savings... I think they say that losing 100 pounds will gain you a tenth in the quarter.. how much HP does it take to do this? The LS1 has a lot of potential... with around 330 stock horsepower. I am not a fan of 2-bolt mains either.. so I'd have to upgrade the block anyway on an LT1 before getting too wild.

Anyway, just wondering if anyone has done the swap.

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

Screw that... just put a pre-98 fascia on a 98+ LS1 f-bod. Cheapest way to do that (not including the price of the car).

Although I prefer the 98+ f-bod and think you are all loony, but that is irrelevant

[Al 96 Ram Air T/A]

Originally posted by JJ46
I don't know... one thing to consider is weight... The aluminum block of the LS1 is a serious weight savings... I think they say that losing 100 pounds will gain you a tenth in the quarter.. how much HP does it take to do this?

Or, Stick with the LT1 and swap out the stock A-arms and K-member for a tubular, light-weight one. You'll shed the 100 pounds and not have to change the front end parts to make it look like an older 4-gen. The conversion is very expensive. The LS1 tranny will not bolt up to the LT1 tranny, so you'll need to think about that too.

[Christopherrr]

Originally posted by JJ46
I don't know... one thing to consider is weight... The aluminum block of the LS1 is a serious weight savings... I think they say that losing 100 pounds will gain you a tenth in the quarter.. how much HP does it take to do this? The LS1 has a lot of potential... with around 330 stock horsepower. I am not a fan of 2-bolt mains either.. so I'd have to upgrade the block anyway on an LT1 before getting too wild.

Anyway, just wondering if anyone has done the swap.

think it's 10 rwhp to gain 1 tenth at the 1/4

[briantech]

I agree with Jay. I've seen a few a few 97's that had the front hood, bumper, fascia, side panels, whatever from a 98. you can't tell the difference.

so just do the opposite. go get you a nice 2001 Ws6 and put a 97 ws6 front end on it. i think that would be much easier than an engine swap.

[tabahr]

Originally posted by briantech
I agree with Jay. I've seen a few a few 97's that had the front hood, bumper, fascia, side panels, whatever from a 98. you can't tell the difference.

so just do the opposite. go get you a nice 2001 Ws6 and put a 97 ws6 front end on it. i think that would be much easier than an engine swap.

Absolutely correct.. and less butchery involved too. This is the only way to go.

I prefer the pre 98 look better also. I understand your goal exactly!

[Flash 97 WS/6]

Hey JJ46, I got all the parts you need and am in the KC area also! If you decide to get an LS1 and de-LS1 the exterior, look me up, maybe we could do some swappin'. (Just try to get a black one and it HAS TO have the ram air hood .

Seriously, I do think that would be the best way to get what you are wanting, I'd love to get my hands on an LS1, but I've got too much invested in my blower and a few other non-transferable parts to upgrade without getting killed on the deal. It's also getting pretty hard to find even LS1's with less than 25k on the clock!

[Mr Nice Guy]

I don't beleive the front clip for an LT1 will fit on an LS1. This is due to different dimensions of the engine and mountings etc. That's why they had to elongate the front of the LS1 cars slightly to make room for the LS1 engine. My thoughts would be to go to the TA esp the WS6. I think it is one of the baddest looking F-bods ever. I don't much like the LS1 Camaros. I think they look kinda "fish-like" but they are still sweet cars.......Anywhoo hope this helped........Later

[briantech]

I don't beleive the front clip for an LT1 will fit on an LS1. This is due to different dimensions of the engine and mountings etc. That's why they had to elongate the front of the LS1 cars slightly to make room for the LS1 engine. My thoughts would be to go to the TA esp the WS6. I think it is one of the baddest looking F-bods ever. I don't much like the LS1 Camaros. I think they look kinda "fish-like" but they are still sweet cars.......Anywhoo hope this helped........Later

thats... weird. so a 98+ body can fit on a 97-, but not the other way around? that doesnt make much sense.

[Mr Nice Guy]

From what I read it is becuase the LS1 engine has larger dimensions than the LT1 hence the LT1 body would have clearence issues. This is why the LS1 front end is a little more "bubbly" than the LT1s. I'm not a hundred percent sure this is correct but this is what I've read and it seems logical............Later

[tabahr]

Originally posted by Mr Nice Guy
From what I read it is becuase the LS1 engine has larger dimensions than the LT1 hence the LT1 body would have clearence issues. This is why the LS1 front end is a little more "bubbly" than the LT1s. I'm not a hundred percent sure this is correct but this is what I've read and it seems logical............Later

I'm almost posative that...........

The front ends of the 2 styles are structurally identical, ecxept for the upper radiator support. Clearance is not an issue.

can someone prove/disprove this for sure?