Hey I was wondering if anyone has put a new LS1 or some sort of EFI engine in there chevelle? Since my motor is toast I figure I should try something different and was wondering what your guys thoughts were, and if anyone has tried this. Also, what would be a better choice, going with a LT1 or LS1 motor?

Car Craft just did one in their magazine.

anyone done this?

I put an EFI Ram Jet 502 in my 72 El Camino...19.4 mpg with the a/c on.. :D

Yup...

http://www.1970chevelle.net/tunnel3_m.jpg

Ok well those that have done this... how hard is it to get say an LS1 to work, I mean what about the wiring harness's and computers and everything, will I have to cut out all my original wiring? Will a TH350 work on a LS1 or LT1? I guess my main concern is the whole computer thing and how it will all wire up. Also, is the LS1 going to bolt right in? anything need to be custom made? thanks.

Try this website link; www.montecarloss.com/ls1montecarloss/index.html (http://www.montecarloss.com/ls1montecarloss/index.html)

super chevy is curently putting a ls6 zo6 engine into a 1970 chevelle....u should check it out

Thanks for the replys guys. Does anyone have any personal experience doing this? I guess I just am trying to find someone to help me figure out what all is needed, and what Im missing for this swap.

LT1 is easier namely because the motor mount location is conventional, not so with the LS1. When Car Craft installed a LT1 in the 78 Malibu Henry used a wiring harness from Street&Performance (I think they're in Arkansas). That was about the extent of the "trick" parts needed. I know, I helped put the motor in the car!

Do be sure that you get all the wiring and computer from the old engine. Also, it is a hell of a lot easier to buy the engine AND original transmission. We never separated the LT1 and the 4L60E, just installed them together, as they came out of a running Trans Am and worked fine when removed.

I should also memtion that you will need a fuel system capable of delivering ~45 psi. This means a good electric fuel pump and some sort of sump/baffle system to make sure the pump doesn't run dry when fuel level is low. If you use an external pump, you can have the stock gas tank sumped or fitted with a surge tank. Having an in-tank pump is even nicer because the pump benefits from the cooling of the liquid fuel, but older tanks in our cars often aren't deep enough to accomodate an entire pump inside. I personally had a custom fuel cell built by Fuel Safe for my Lemans (see sig) but this is a very expensive option.
Rock Valley can build a stock-looking gas tank to meet your needs, probably about 1/2 price of the Fuel Safe cell.

Thanks for the reply, but will a TH350 tranny work? what years of LT1's are the best? How does the wiring from the trans am connect with my original wiring, or do I just have to tear out my original wiring? (i hope not)

I'm in the process of putting a 95 7.4 with the 4L80E in a 67 camaro, and a 96 5.7 with a 4L60E in another 67. So far it's been really easy. The computer and wiring has been the easiest part. Motor mounts, trans mount and oil pan are the hardest part. In fact, I used the entire wiring harness and fuse blocks, discarding all the 37 year old stuff! This would actually be easier in a chevelle by far. LS1'a and LT1's are fine but cost way more for the conversion and the gains arent that great (for the cost).

Lee

will a th350 work on a LT1?

LT1's can accept any kind of older style bellhousing/tranny combos, so yes, your TH-350 will work. However, you will need to either have the computer reprogrammed to ignore the fact that it no longer has an electronically controlled transmission attached to it, or buy a wiring harness adapter that tricks the computer into thinking it still has the tranny attached to it.

You should be able to get lots of info from the folks at Street and Performance, just do a yahoo search for them. I have to ask, though - if you're going to go to all of the trouble to put an LT1 in, why not go ahead and keep the overdrive tranny with it? You'll be able to find a running motor and tranny much cheaper together. If you don't keep the LT1 overdrive, you'll have to pay to adapt your TH350 anyways. Not ragging on you, just wondering what you're planning on doing. My dad just put an LT1 into his hot rod, and you won't regret it!

Best of luck!
Ryan

Thanks for the reply, I was just going to use the TH350 since its all rebuilt with a nice shift kit and everything, but maybe I will just use a stock overdrive tranny, but wont I have to make custom transmission braces? Also, will my stall converter work with these trannys? I just bought a new coan torque converter and really want to use it. Thanks for the replies, keep them coming!

No, your converter won't work. If you can't return yours, sell your converter and trans. It will pay for the new converter easily. A conversion trans cross member for your car is $150 or so from Bowtie Overdrives. IF you don't want to make your own. A conversion wire Harness is at least $300. If you want to convert your own harness, it takes a lot of time. A lot. Not hard, just time consuming. That's assuming you know something amount emmision equipment and wiring. A custom chip is $300 or so too. At least for a OBDI car. I haven't checked on a OBDII car. Start looking at the 4th gen camaro boards for more info.
Personally, I'd go with an LT1 and an earlier ECM like a 90-92. Then you can run any non E trans you want. Check out Thirdgen.org. But be prepared, there is a lot of EFI info there.

You don't need a chip for an LT1 motor provided it's 93(?) and up (I think 92 Vette LT1's were stil using chips - don't quote me though). If you're interested and you're fairly comfortable with a computer, I can find out from my dad what computer program he bought. This program allows him to reprogram anything he wants into the LT1 computer. I think it was $200 or $300, but you don't have to pay someone to reprogram it for you everytime you change something - you just have to get the computer close enough to the car to hook it up (read: laptop preferred). Just thought I'd help you with more options. Good luck!

Ryan

If you want to go the LS1 route, this link might help.

http://www.hotrodlane.cc/70chevelle/1970ls1chevelle.htm

Andrew