Swapping a LT1 intake into a 1st Gen Small Block Chevy
People told me it won't fit. I asked more people, still no. Found a rumor one person has done it but I couldn't get in touch with him. I decided to try myself. I bought a used LT1 intake off of e-bay for $100 including fuel rails. Not bad, I figured if it doesn't work out I'm only out $100. Right?
You say it's impossible? Won't bolt up? Well your
right but ANYTHING is possible when cost is a factor. Here's some of
the biggest issues you're going to run into and a quick explanation
of what to do about it.
Problem #1,
in case you haven't noticed there's no rear distributor on a LT1. I
had to drill the hole for it, warning-this hole must be in perfect
location. I used a old TPI base and made an aluminum template
utilizing the
rear two mounting holes to locate the dist hole.
Distributor must be shimmed about 1/4" higher due to the
shortness of the LT1 intake. Also must use the small HEI distributor
with remote coil found on 1987-later.
Problem #2,
there are several problems with the STOCK LT1 intake but the ports
and coolant passages are not one of them. What I did before I started
was get a cheap $6 intake gasket from DAP and just laid it on the
intake (already off the car), everything was perfect except for some
of the mounting holes, the 4 corner ones were good. No problem, I
took the gasket as a temple and drilled the new holes in the intake,
no more
problem.
Problem #3,
No front coolant passages to return to the radiator. Well, I just
drilled and tapped two 3/4" heater nipples vertically where the
coolant would normally exit the head. I will run 3/4" heater
hose to a remote
thermostat housing I found on-line. it will be
mounted on the fender well. It will use the same outlet neck and
return to the radiator as it should.
Problem #4,
must have custom fuel lines made to attach to the fuel rail of the
LT1. About $40 if you supply the ends. Available from Pep Boys.
Problem #5, the was a temp sensor in the front of the TPI intake base, it's for the computer temp info. I will have to mod the remote thermostat housing for an additional hole.
Now for the detailed explanations
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