LT1 powered FB
I wanted to make this thread to chronicle my build and also provide info for V8 swaps in FBs, particularly LT1, this motor has lots of nuances that are not well detailed on the net.
I had originally bought this car with no intentions of swapping, but stumbled into an awesome deal on the motor and trans. I have an 85 GSL, originally an auto and am putting an LT1 from a 94 caprice and T5 NWC in it. I probably will either build the T5 or go with a T56 eventually. This is a rough list of the things I have done so far -Granny's SBC swap kit -Custom transmission crossmember -5 lug turbo II hub and brake swap -Custom front chassis spreader bar w/radiator mounts -Granny's Radiator -Steel wheels 15"x7" agressive offset -AP Racing clutch MC -Installed clutch pedal -LT1 wiring harness modification -Rear battery mounting in storage bin -battery cut off switch -VATS disable for LT1 -Rams horn exhaust manifolds -Moved motor mounts back 1.5" -Modified mustang short throw T5 shifter -Speedo cable block off -Bronze shifter bushing To Do -Exhaust system-side exit -Air intake -Custom gauges -Relocate PCM for LT1 -finish energy suspension bushing install -lower car with custom lowering spring and adjustable spring perch -short stroke shocks -Racing seat and harness install This is the car while I was pulling the rotary https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...e2e5d2a626.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...26f1c20ed0.jpg I modified the oil pan to clear the steering link, rather easy to do and cheaper than buying a new one https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...debbeb5f3c.jpg I had a later style T5 so I made an adapter plate to go from a chevy to ford pattern. I do not see an issue yet. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...6898bb06ec.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...87c8ab43cf.jpg I installed an AP racing master cylinder with the stock chevy slave cylinder https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...15501a669d.jpg I decided to move the engine back by about 1.5" Before the harmonic balancer was contacting the front sway bar. To do this I drilled two holes in the FB crossmember and then moved the engine. The motor is now right up against the firewall. This also provides more space to route the radiator hoses https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...40da3e9e12.jpg This is the custom transmission crossmember. The automatic FBs have their transmission crossmember mounts in a different position than the manual cars https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...a123d10c57.jpg |
What is hitting the firewall? The motor or the distributor? Also what helped to you decide to go this route? Is the rotary bad? Good stuff, keep the updates coming. :)
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Originally Posted by Radar84SE
(Post 12012513)
What is hitting the firewall? The motor or the distributor? Also what helped to you decide to go this route? Is the rotary bad? Good stuff, keep the updates coming. :)
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Hey Freeskier thanks for posting your build. In the beginning I had contemplated an LT1 but just seemed like it was going to cost a little more to buy and modify. Plus I had always liked the 5.0 and fox body mustangs. I look forward to seeing future posts and hearing it run. Good luck
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Originally Posted by Yolo7
(Post 12013014)
Hey Freeskier thanks for posting your build. In the beginning I had contemplated an LT1 but just seemed like it was going to cost a little more to buy and modify. Plus I had always liked the 5.0 and fox body mustangs. I look forward to seeing future posts and hearing it run. Good luck
I put my mounts in this weekend and found out I need to shorten the driveshaft a bit, gonna get that done this week. I also started replacing my bushings with the new energy suspension poly ones I bought |
What are you guys having to do for the front suspension?
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Originally Posted by Radar84SE
(Post 12013883)
What are you guys having to do for the front suspension?
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But not super slow!
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Is the turbo ii front hub/brake swap difficult? Any chassis modifications to accept? Does the original steering knuckle/spindle get reused or the turbo ii knuckle/spindle?
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Any chance you would mind posting some rough measurements of that oil pan you cut down? Did that give plenty of clearance?
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Sorry for the late response, had a sick kid and wife last week, now the family is better :)
Originally Posted by Yolo7
(Post 12014188)
Is the turbo ii front hub/brake swap difficult? Any chassis modifications to accept? Does the original steering knuckle/spindle get reused or the turbo ii knuckle/spindle?
Originally Posted by jeremyferguson4444
(Post 12014374)
Any chance you would mind posting some rough measurements of that oil pan you cut down? Did that give plenty of clearance?
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Update pics, got my driveshaft on and almost finished the radiator hoses. I am also thinking about making custom boxed sheetmetal lower control arms
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...44f8672384.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...b84dbe848f.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...27b6585656.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...0134d8dea7.jpg |
What are you doing for fuel lines? Are you running coolant to the heater core?
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Looking good! That thing is sweet.
Originally Posted by Freeskier7791
(Post 12017873)
Update pics, got my driveshaft on and almost finished the radiator hoses. I am also thinking about making custom boxed sheetmetal lower control arms
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...44f8672384.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...b84dbe848f.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...27b6585656.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...0134d8dea7.jpg |
Originally Posted by jeremyferguson4444
(Post 12021143)
What are you doing for fuel lines? Are you running coolant to the heater core?
Originally Posted by Radar84SE
(Post 12021179)
Looking good! That thing is sweet.
I got this trick piece for my coolant head bleed. Tackling power steering this week, converting to AN PTFE lined hose. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...a00ee23d24.jpg |
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Any chance you could post a link or part number for the coupling you are using for the head bleed? |
Question. Is the ECU water resistant? I have to figure a way out to get my inside the cabin and the ECM connector is a little big for a standard hole. |
looking good! Can't wait to see ya run it.
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Originally Posted by jeremyferguson4444
(Post 12024839)
Nice work!
Any chance you could post a link or part number for the coupling you are using for the head bleed?
Originally Posted by Yolo7
(Post 12024966)
Hell yeah! So exciting man. Thanks for the video it keeps me movitivated to make the time for my project. I love it.
Question. Is the ECU water resistant? I have to figure a way out to get my inside the cabin and the ECM connector is a little big for a standard hole. |
I think the smartest thing you did was getting a 94 Caprice engine. I got the 95 and found out that the 94-95's have the $EE PCMs which are the only OBD1 ones that have eeprom. It means to flash the pcm you DON'T NEED A ROM BURNER. you only need and ALDL interface and you can then use TunerPro and CATS winflash. way waaaay cheaper than an OBD2 system. TunerPro is free, winflash is like $20, and you can make a $5 ALDL interface out of a FT232RL board like this
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Originally Posted by wa11yba11s
(Post 12029656)
I think the smartest thing you did was getting a 94 Caprice engine. I got the 95 and found out that the 94-95's have the $EE PCMs which are the only OBD1 ones that have eeprom. It means to flash the pcm you DON'T NEED A ROM BURNER. you only need and ALDL interface and you can then use TunerPro and CATS winflash. way waaaay cheaper than an OBD2 system. TunerPro is free, winflash is like $20, and you can make a $5 ALDL interface out of a FT232RL board like this Amazon.com: FT232RL FTDI USB To TTL Serial Converter Adapter Module For Arduino: Computers & Accessories
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any updates? Is this thing on the road?
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Originally Posted by jeremyferguson4444
(Post 12042943)
any updates? Is this thing on the road?
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Hey Freeskier. I had a few questions about how you set up your fuel system.
Did you use the stock hard lines to feed fuel to the engine? Is so do you now if the fuel line size is the same as the SA? He stock hard lines on the SA seem to be shy of a 1/4". Just want to make sure I don't run lean under high load situations. Using the fuel lines would make things a lot easier on me how ever. The fuel pump is another thing I am trying to figure out right now. The SA have an external inline pump. I would like to find a way to in cooperate an in the tank pump. I found a couple in tank guys. One is expensive but the other may require a hole larger than I can fit. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...6a9422d32.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...6ab6d6dae.jpeg |
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