Thread: LT intake manifold modification for distributor

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Roger sorry if misleading but I've been discusting different options for the reason to do this-
On Robins car, it will stay pretty much stock except will have headers I'll build and no cats-------so delete cats, and also since its a 96 OB2 system and they run real good, I may only do away with a couple features and go speed density instead of the mass air flow which however works real good-----------In our family we've had 2 of these cars, I had a 92 vet and Corey had 94 Camaro-both got totaled with 2 miles of home-------


they ran good, torque, any gas you put in them, good milage, etc-------


However, the units that I do for someone else can do whatever they want they just have one common trait-gets rid of opti----------I'm moving mine so I can complete my bracket package for the low mount alternator and a/c-water pump is cam driven so no belt/pulley on it-cleans up the radiator to block area---and using the Tauras /Lincoln elect fan-------

To the top for answer to todays LT1 posts

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

Duece4------I usually get a clean, finished look to any mods I do on my stuff


Roger-------the manifold is a way to go if a person wants to just put a carb on an LT1 for some other era car, but the costs are a lot higher than the $300 ------you will need a carb, air cleaner, fuel pump and lines, regulator,etc plus of course the complete ignition system-a person going that route will be spending maybe as much as $2500?----


Now , not to say that he won't be spending $$ on this conversion, but it does allow the keeping of an excellent EFI system and basicly just getting rid of the opti. I myself never had any issues with an Opti but I want to move it out to get rid off the wires down there so I can mount the alt and a/c close to crank area-- However, on my wifes 33 I did move the engine back toward cowl for more room behind radiator and its tight where the dist goes----but the driveshaft is shorter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A dumb question for you Jerry, could one work a crank trigger system onto an LT engine? I love their simplicity and easy of adjustment on the timing! Just curious and wondering if you have done one?

I thought I might throw my 2 cents into this conversation. I always read gen 2 LT1 stuff when posted because I own three of them. Two run('94 Z28 Camaro, '97 SS Camaro)and the third is going into to a project truck('57 Chevy) if I ever find the time to finish it.
As far as the optispark distributor, On the '94 I've changed the distributor twice in 110k miles. It has the older non-vented design which crap out at roughly every 50k miles. The last one I put in was a newer design MSD that includes venting and has gone about 10k miles trouble free. I also have an MSD unit on the '97 that is trouble free.
With regard to Dave's question, I have been considering going to a crank triggered coil on plug system in the '97. Not because the optispark is problematic but because it would allow me to use a PCM that is way more advanced than the original '97 PCM along with the precise spark energy and accuracy of coil on plug.
I know a engine tuner that told me the LT1 PCM's are dinosaurs compared to the newer LS PCM's in the sense of being smarter and faster. Makes tuning a big cammed LT1 possible. Here's a link to a setup I'm considering buying from what seems to be a very innovative company. A plug and play setup that can be done in a day.
https://www.torqhead.com/how-it-works.html
Nolan

Originally Posted by JOATMON

I thought I might throw my 2 cents into this conversation. I always read gen 2 LT1 stuff when posted because I own three of them. Two run('94 Z28 Camaro, '97 SS Camaro)and the third is going into to a project truck('57 Chevy) if I ever find the time to finish it.
As far as the optispark distributor, On the '94 I've changed the distributor twice in 110k miles. It has the older non-vented design which crap out at roughly every 50k miles. The last one I put in was a newer design MSD that includes venting and has gone about 10k miles trouble free. I also have an MSD unit on the '97 that is trouble free.
With regard to Dave's question, I have been considering going to a crank triggered coil on plug system in the '97. Not because the optispark is problematic but because it would allow me to use a PCM that is way more advanced than the original '97 PCM along with the precise spark energy and accuracy of coil on plug.
I know a engine tuner that told me the LT1 PCM's are dinosaurs compared to the newer LS PCM's in the sense of being smarter and faster. Makes tuning a big cammed LT1 possible. Here's a link to a setup I'm considering buying from what seems to be a very innovative company. A plug and play setup that can be done in a day.
https://www.torqhead.com/how-it-works.html
Nolan

Thanks for the link, great information there, looks like a fine product!