LT1 Engine Swap - Revival

There used to be a motor here ... hmm?

Chris put a torch to the EGR, but it wasn't happening ...and though I am normally against this, I'd had enough of 1994 emissions controls. We were swapping these mid-lengths for long-tubes anyways, better order up a set of the off-road version. Quite honestly, anyone who has ever changed exhaust gaskets or headers on an LT1 F-body will understand where I am coming from.

I got started on removing our TCI 4L60E from the spent LT1. The three torque converter bolts and the flexplate bolts also have to be removed to transfer over to the new motor.

To separate the motor from the motor mounts, 15 and 18mm wrenches were needed. Then a screwdriver (or chisel) was needed to get the bolt out. To ease the process a cherry-picker should be used to provide upward tension on the engine, and pull it up and away from the K-member.

The clamshell is disconnected from the K-member and motor with a 1/2-inch socket.

We smartly decided to replace the stock motor mounts with these Energy Suspension mounts and inserts from Summit Racing (PN ENS-3-1116G), which are only $24.95. Anyone with a high-mileage car would be wise to do the same; upon inspection, the Formula's stockers were indeed shot.

Completing the swap meant drilling out the rivets on the clamshell in order to pull out the stock rubber, replace it with the polyurethane pieces, and use the supplied hardware to re-clamp the shells. Be advised, we did take issue with the recommended torque from Energy Suspension, which killed the supplied hardware. It's obvious the bolts and nuts are way too small for 24 ft-lb, so we just went "good and tight."

One step we left out during removal of the engine and tranny was disconnecting the shifter cable. Take note that if you are not super careful, this will happen.

Scoggin-Dickey to the rescue! They shipped us a new shifter cable in no time, and we were back in business.

Installing the new shifter cable is pretty straightforward, especially once it's connected topside. Chris just used a pair of pliers to pull the grommet through from the interior, so that it sealed to the floorpan.

The balancer bolts are verified to be at least 60 ft-lb. Note the later-style Opti and front cover, since the Formula uses the LTCC ignition this is of no consequence to us--but if you are using a stock-style (single coil) ignition system it is important to get the right pieces or your wiring harness won't plug in.

The TCI flexplate is recycled and rang up to 74 ft-lb of torque.