ws96ss

would like to swap out my blown lt1 with a ls1. has anyone done this swap? what all does this involve? my car is a 96 and the ls1 is a 01 (motor/tranny/ computer).

SS MPSTR

You'll need the LS1 k-member too. I'm surprised more people have not done this yet...it's a pricey proposition, but so is a large CI stroker.

john35thss

why would you want to I have both cars stock to stock ls1 hands down but dollar for dollar lt1 is the way to go had my lt1 car making 128 in quarter with 8-9 K stroker charger package. brotherinlaws 96 ss ran 11.7 @124 1.9 60 with ARE ported heads hotcam longtubes s trim stock bottom end (70k on bottom) @6 psi boost.

CCCCCYA

Gotta vote for the LT1 myself here. I just faced exactly the same decision a few months ago (I even had a complete 98 LS1 wrecked donar car in my second bay for parts), and I opted to build up a stroker instead. Turns out that there are several things you will need to change to get the LS1 to work "correctly" (as in no ses lights and no troubles with the fit). Among these are obviously the K-member, but also the rack and steering link, all of the emissions junk, the complete wiring harness, computer, seeing how you have a 96 your probably going to want to replace the FP with a new one, and the list goes on (oh yeah, the hood wont shut with the LS1 either I don't think - could be wrong on that one though). I opted to build a nice high compression 383 and sell the LS1 instead. Now I've got a 12.4:1 383, ported heads, cam, electric WP, blah blah blah, and I had a VERY difficult time keeping tires on the thing (it'll light 'em up at from a 45 mph roll). To get the same thing with the LS1, I would have to have not only swapped it in, but build it up as well. Just not worth the extra money for the same end state of performance. I'm no Ls1 bigot either, as I also own a 2002 35th SS, but my LT1 is a freakin monster compared to the 2002, and I havn't even bolted on the n2o yet!

Stick with the LT1, do budget rebuilt on it (no need fo forged stuff if your not going to race it, blow it, or pump a ton of juice through it), and use the money saved for good quality speed parts, and don't look back. Don't believe the myths that the LT1's can't run with the LS1's. It's a bunch of garbage. That only applies to a ***** out max boogie buildup where the heads on the LT1 become the limiting factor.

My .02.. take it or leave it

Dave C.

kmook

General LT1>LS1 swap posts should be discussed in either LT1 or LS1 Tech.

Moving to LT1 Tech.

InjectedSS

Sweet bro, gonna downgrade eh NICE. Just one more SLOW LS1 on the road. See you in my rear view with all the rest of your plastic intake buddies

CrippleFightin

Dont listen to that. Stock for stock what engine is better? Thats what I thought....but everyone else is right, the LT1 will be cheaper to build back up, especially when you sell that LS1 for more than it cost you to build the LT1.

97WS6SCharged

I think the easiest way to do the swap would involve an aftermarket K member like the one BMR makes. That should get the LS1 to sit in the car correctly. Then you will need to rework the fuel system, you might be able to use an aftermarket regulator to get the fuel pressure to 58 PSI so you don't have to change the fuel pump/lines. You will also need a different exhaust setup, the LS1 headers may work with an aftermarket k member, but be prepared to massage some metal if they don't fit. I'm not sure about the trannsmission, but I believe the LS1 uses a slightly different transmission than the LT1 (don't know for sure). That's about all I can think of personally.

If you do the swap, let us know how it turns out.

Hey, since you've got the LS1 out of the car, why not throw some aftermarket parts at it and make it a real beast, then show these doubting LT1 guys what it's all about.

jkipp84

Isn't the LS1 taller as well? With as much $$ as it'd cost to go with a stock LS1, you could have a beastly LT1 that will fit and it'd easily hand an LS1 a beating.

InjectedSS

BLAH BLAH stock for stock Who cares, not to mention they sound like $hit neways The LS1 is on the bottom neways, especially when my LT1 pulls cammed LS6's! So I don't wanna hear this about STOCK for STOCK. Who cares about being stock

ZachXSmith

Well it can be done, my buddy is currently in the process of doing it. He has had 2 camaros 1 94 lt1, 00 ls1, so he wrecked the ls1 in the rear and the lt1 in the front but not that bad no frame damage. So he thought he would use the 94's body and 00 engine and parts..brakes....wire harness.... it is almost done but he had a few problems the stock ls1 k member for some reason would not fit it the lt1 bay, Maybe bent in collisions. And labor costs because he did not trust himself to do the work, Around 2,500$. The tach,s The ls1 tach runs on positive tach signals, lt1 are negative, your stock Tach will not work....... And that is about the only problems. Good luck and please post some pics

96LT14u2Nv

i dont think it is worth it. i would just rebuild the LT1. it will make more power than a stock LS1 would for sure. toss some heads and a cam in it and u will love it.


why would u put a stock LS1 in your car anyway. at least put a cam in it while it is out, cause if u swap a stock LS1 into a stock LT1 car....you wont be impressed in power differences and u are wasting your money. just my .o2