LT1 vs Carbed 350

[86gmc23]

Hey guys in middle of rebuilding my 86sierra and came across a predicament. Originally I wanted to drop in a Carbed 350 that I could get for $200, running. Now a friend of mine has a 95 caprice with a LT1 in it that runs and he wants to scrap car. So I can get the LT1 for free. My truck came with a v6, no heads and no intake and wires all cut up, so I'm not sure if it was carbed or injected. I plan on ordering a wiring harness but now that I might use the LT1 I need to know what harness is needed. Basically looking to build a street machine, nothing crazy when finished looking to be mid-high 300's possibly 400hp. Which engine would you recommend with differences in carb/injection & standard distributor/opti spark?

[VileZambonie]

Use the wiring harnes and cpu from the caprice or make it a carbureted LT1

[Lucky Jeff]

no comparison.. Run the LT1 with the harness from the car..

[86gmc23]

That sounds good, will I need to reflash computer from caprice or no?

[screamin86]

I agree LT1 you could still use the fuel injection setup also that would be sweet!

[86gmc23]

Will I need conversion motor mount brackets to drop in the LT1 when it had a v6 in it prior? And will I need a different radiator with the reverse flow style of the LT1?

[Captkaos]

You need the V8 mounts, LT1's are the same as a normal V8, it will drop right in with the V8 mounts.
Radiator I believe will change, not sure though, can't remember.

[VileZambonie]

I built an LT-1 a few years ago. I converted it to Carb and ditched the opti-spark putting in an HEI. The only thing you need to retain is the bypass for the waterpump and the rear crossover coolant pipe.

[86gmc23]

How did it perform carburated and hei? You don't have any threads on it do ya

[Jim Rockford]

the passenger engine mount can not be used with Regular frame mounts, Found this out the hard way, But a reguler SBC passenger mount shell will bolt up.  I thought I could just flip the mount and use it  but it hangs up on the little tabs the shell rides on.
Regular mount shell

Passenger side LT1 shell

Passenger side Lt1 clamshell turned upside down like a regular small block clamshell.

You can see how the tabs cause the mount to not sit all the way down to be able to get a bolt in.
This is how it would have to sit to bolt up to the mount.

[lechez71]

i say lt1 fuel injected. would be nice for a daily driver. less problems than carb. an ls based motor would be nicer than a lt1 though.