have LT-1, need info about Z swap

[charlez13]

Hey guys, im new to the forum. My little bro just turned 16 and got a '95 z28 camaro...only to wreck it less than a month later. Insurance wont cover it and my dad just bought him another '95 z28 so basically we have a spare camaro in the garage...the frame is tweaked just enough for it to be un-streetable, other than that it is fine. anyway, we want to part out the camaro as best as we can and put the lt1 to good use. We are considering a Z-car swap but i want to get some info and suggestions before we just dive in to this project. We have the tools and space to do this but want some advice from people that have actually done this before. We are purchasing the manual from JTR but i still have some questions...

1) What would be the best Z-car model (old enough where we wouldn't have to worry about emissions laws) to swap the engine into space wise, performance wise, and without having to a ton of custom fabrication?

2) What all will be involved in the swap? Exhaust manifolds? mounts? wiring?

3) Whats a good rear-end differential for putting the added power to the road and not just roasting tires? will the stocker suffice? if not what would be a good car to swap a differential from?

4) Will the LT-1 bolt up to the stock transmition? (we will probably sell the automatic tranny currently on the engine... and we dont want an all out racing transmition, just something that will be able to handle the power and fit...t56 maybe?)

any other comments or suggestions are welcome, we need to know what we're about to get ourselves into.

[ryoojin83]

I was looking into this a while back as well and i believe anything pre-1974 is smog exempt, so any 240z would work (someone else will verify this I hope).

Seeing as ive never done any swap myself I better not go and assume answers to the rest of your questions! :stupid:

[St.stephen]

you'd be better off checking in at www.hybridz.org. That site specializes in these types of swaps.

[1971rb26dett]

Yeah hybridz would be the best place for V8 swap info.

but..

1. Depends on the state you live in. I am in Florida. No worries for me. But I have heard that in some states it's difficult to register a car with an engine that was never offered in that model

2. yes all that plus frame braces. you will probably want to have the ecu reprogrammed for the z

3. Most people seem to agree that the r180 can handle up to about 300 lb/ft of torque. More than that and the R200 would be better

4. Will not bolt directly but you can monkey up an adapter for sure. otherwise it depents on the mount kit that you choose. I believe the 'scarab' kit mounts further forward and doesnt allow for a manual. Whereas the JTR kit does.

I toyed with the idea of the LT1 for a while but decided against it. So if anyone is interested I have an LT1 with an overhaul kit for sale. I may choose a different handle because I decided against that option too.