93 Caprice w/305 is it easy to swap to an LT1?

[the_realist]

I have a 93 Caprice which has a 305 I'm trying to find out will a LT1 fit and if so how much work is involved and also are there any special parts needed?Also are there any other options I could go with as far as a motor ,not looking for something that would take a lot of time and work.

[Incitatus]

I wouldn't go with an LT1 or L99 because of the reverse flow coolant thing. I don't think a "regular" 350 would be a problem, though.
Try to find one that came out of a truck.

[the_realist]

How much more power would a regular 350 give me?Are they more upgradeable than my 305?

[Incitatus]

I think the amount of additional power is going to depend on what the engine comes out of. (thus the truck suggestion.)
And yeah, I would imagine 350 parts are going to be more readily available
-and possibly cheaper.

[the_realist]

What kind of truck should I get the engine out of?

[88sleeper]

you can put a complete LT1 350 from anything a corvette a cop car it doesnt matter in the engine bay all that has to be changed is the engine mounting locations...there are usually bolt holes for the 305 and 350 just to make it easier for the ppl on the assembly line to use universal frames and if im not mistaken which i may be the trans you have in the car should bolt right up to the new motor as long as its a gm engine and gm trans the tricky part is to make sure you get the wiring harness and ECM with the engine and mount it where the old ecm used to be or even in your glove box. you get buy complete corvette engines off ebay for 3000-4000 dollors + like 200 dollors shipping you will need to get a radiator specd to work with a 350 an oil cooler and trany cooler are good things to have while your at it.

[Incitatus]

88sleeper,
I wasn't so much referring to the physical placement of the engine -I'm sure just about anything would drop in there. I was just referring to the ease of adaptability.
A "regular" 350 wouldn't require a pcm change, new radiator or wiring modifications -it's virtually "plug and play".

I think there's an old thread on this topic somewhere, you might try a search to try and find it.

[Incitatus]

should bolt right up to the new motor as long as its a gm engine and gm trans

It used to be, and I think it still is, that:
Olds, Pontiac and Buick have a common bellhousing pattern and Chevy has its own distinct pattern and Cadillac has its own distinct pattern.

[LM13]

the l05(l03) to lt1 swap is very hard, the lt1 is reverse cooling, so as the baby lt1 (L99). don't bother with swapping the lt1 in there you'll get much more power and potential if you swap a 454 in there, out of a silverado or something. then just do a cam and you'll be looking at low 13's :)

[the_realist]

Basically I'm looking for something streetable,that will give me more power with the potential to upgrade.It has to be at a reasonable price also.

[LM13]

Originally posted by the_realist
Basically I'm looking for something streetable,that will give me more power with the potential to upgrade.It has to be at a reasonable price also.

454
:)

[the_realist]

How hard is a swap to a 454?I wont be doing the work myself.Around How much would It cost?

[Vandal835]

I would buy a GMPP crate engine Such as the Ramjet 350. I belive it costs 4700$ at pace. 350HP 400TQ

Anothr option would be to install a Vortec 350 from a 96-98 Full size chevy truck. The Vortec and the TBI you have now are almost indentical in wiring so the swap is easy. Vortec 350s (Also known as the L31) make I think 260HP or maybe more.

The Vortec engine is kind of like the LT1s brother, only in Gen 1 style engine form.

[LM13]

Originally posted by the_realist
How hard is a swap to a 454?I wont be doing the work myself.Around How much would It cost?

if i'm not mistaken the 454 is a direct bolt on.
if not then close.
i'm pretty sure you won't have to do much wiring mods either just do a search on the impala ss forum for the 454 swap.

it would probably cost you no more then a grand.

[the_realist]

Seems like I might have a few different options.Anybody else with suggestions?I need to find someone to do one of these swaps.

[capriceman]

If You decide to go with an Lt1 or L99, the reverse cooling won't matter if You also get the radiator that goes with it.
As far as wiring, just get the PCM for that engine from the same source as the engine.
I believe that chevy does have thier own bell housing bolt pattern, but it's pretty easy to change the bell housing.
I don't know how much a shop would charge, but if I did this myself, with a real strong or new Lt1, I would expect to spend about $5,000 said and done.
For 6-7,000 You could probibly find a pretty good 9C1 somewhere.
But I completely understand wanting to keep Your Old Faithfull.

[stompah]

Just buy a wrecked LT1 car and either swap your parts onto it or swap its parts onto your car.

Or do what LM said.... and spend the rest of your life inhaling tire smoke :D

[Incitatus]

but it's pretty easy to change the bell housing.
No, it's not! It's integrated into the housing. The whole transmission has to be changed. You must be thinking of standard transmission bell housings, they bolt onto the trans housing with four bolts.

I think ya'll are missing this guy's point.
He's look for an affordable, practical solution.
Crate engines? 454's?
Only four to six thousand dollars? Whether that's afforable or not depends on who's paying...
The 454 suggestion is going to cost more due to the front suspension work required to support the additional 100-250 pounds of engine weight.

For affordability, practicality and dependability is going to be real hard to beat a 350 out of a mid 80's pick up.
Call around and see if you can find an old GMC. Most places will offer a 30 day guarantee -long enough to see if it's going to smoke or run rough.

[the_realist]

So whats going to be some of the best swaps for my car.That wont be to much hasle and would be reasonably priced.If I can get my car to 250-300 RWHP I'll be fine (at least for awhile;) )

[Incitatus]

Which is more important to you, practical and affordable or 250-300 hp?

For practicality and affordability go with an engine out of a pickup truck.
(Very likely to be less than 200 hp).

For more hp -and more money- go with the 454. You will need heavier front springs and shocks, though.

[the_realist]

I'm not saying that the motor has to be in the horespower range right off the back.If I go with a 350 out of a pickup what range would one of those cost and what could I do to get it in the 250-300 hp range?

[Incitatus]

You'd have to see what kind of deal they'll give you.
I'd imagine it'll be between $500 -$1,000 (certainly no more than $1,000).

Small block chevy? the possibilities are limitless. How does 500hp grab ya?



(by the seat of your pants, I'd guess -ha!)

[the_realist]

So whgat would be the best year to get a 350 out of and what vehicle?Will this be a direct swap?I like the sound of possibly going to around 500 hp.I'll do the swap then go from there.

[Incitatus]

I don't see why it wouldn't be a direct swap.
I think just about any year would work. You might want to go with something in the mid-80's or whatever they're offering.
Just make sure you get a (30 day or so) warranty. You want to make sure it runs and doesn't smoke.
If at all possible, ask to see it run.

[the_realist]

one last question hopefully:) Is there anything else I might need tranny or anything?

[Incitatus]

Nope. If your transmission is working ok it can stay.
I may have mentioned it before, but replace your motor mounts when you do the swap (even if they look ok).
Pick up a jug of coolant, both motor mounts and a transmission mount from the parts house before you start. If the transmission mount looks alright when you do the swap, take it back and get your money back. It's not terribly hard to replace if it goes bad later, but it'd be nice to have one on hand so you could finish the job without having to go back to the parts house. (especially if your only transportation is in pieces).