Cascade Crew

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:05 pm Post subject: Hold on to your butts...

So this all started with the crazy idea of doing a simple transmission swap. It was supposed to be a simple cheap weekend project in hopes of making my lackluster 305 a little more fun to drive. But NOOOOOOOOooooo...

In true Cascade Crew fashion, that just wouldn't be enough. Of course, who could possibly be satisfied with that. So i went out and blew my engine fund on the biggest project I've ever done.

I may have just bit off more that I can chew...

Its a fully dressed LT1 off a 97 Z28 mated to a T56 6 speed. The car has super low miles, somewhere around 55K, and the harness came with every piece of wiring off the car.

I'll keep posting updates and pics as progress happens. as well as ask numerous questions along the way!

WISH ME LUCK!

~JAKE

RSFreak · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:12 pm Post subject:

NICE!!!

That'll really wake up Betty!!! Very Happy

QwkTrip · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:26 pm Post subject:

Now, if I may quote myself....

iansane · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 8:35 pm Post subject:

Ian likey. Very Happy

I'm sure you'll get all the help you need with the thirdgen community the way it is.

Al Hasse · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:15 pm Post subject:

I'm just a little jealous Laughing

Although I have the motor I want almost ready to go in, the transmission is what I want now Razz

Great find Thumbs up

have fun with the swap.

blue89 · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 10:17 pm Post subject:

WWW.shbox.com
Helped me out and I didn't even have the right year! Which you do. I'll be here for you when you have questions.

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 10:18 pm Post subject:

Nice duder!

Go get 'em Very Happy

-Schultzy

91RSVert · Posted: Sun May 01, 2011 5:04 am Post subject:

very nice find!!!

Leejo2005 · Member Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 466 Location: Kennewick

After doing my TPI swap from Quadrajet I can say it was a lot of work but it wasn't really that hard and totally worth it. I got the service manual for my car, and for the car my engine was from. Using pin extractors or jewlers screwdrivers you can move wires on your connectors and bulkhead terminals to try to have everything keep a factory appearance. I did however also purchase the intsrument panel harness for the car my engine was from and transplanted several circuits from it. Should be a fun project, good luck!

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 7:46 am Post subject:

Ok all, i started tearing into the motor last night and so far i have separated the engine wiring harness from the motor, pulled all the accessories, exhaust, emissions crapola, and the valve covers.

There was a considerable amount of sludgey oil under the valve covers and it was super thick coming out of the oil drain plug. I've let it soak overnight with some clean oil and some marvel mystery oil so i can pull the pan and turn the motor a few times. Good thing is the sledge didn't have any metal shavings at all.

First question,
Would you pull the heads off to replace the head gaskets and do some minor porting to smooth the chambers and runners? or should i just leave them alone and put the thing in the car?

Second,
I'm tossing the idea around of swapping cams while i have the whole thing apart. I know these LT1's respond very well to even i minor cam swap but funds are tight and i'd rather focus on getting the thing running. LT1 cams generally run about $250 and then another $100 for a set of springs. Is this $400 a necessary expenditure? or can it wait for later down the line?

BigDaddyVu · Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 8:04 am Post subject:

do you have to install offset motor mounts to keep the stick shift coming out of the stock hole?

aaron_sK · Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 8:22 am Post subject:

Jake, I wouldn't do crap to the engine if it passes a compression test.

If you were dropping it into a 4th gen I would say do all the difficult stuff now, but thirdgen engine bays are so open you can easily do the heads & cam without removing anything other than the radiator.

Just my two cents.

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 8:30 am Post subject:

This is going to be a nice healthy power increase over your current level already. Add to that a manual transmission and Black Betty is about to have a completely different feel. So, if funds are already tight, I would forego more power for now. You will have enough surprise nickel and dime gaskets, parts, fluids etc. with the swap as it is.

I am excited for you! Can't wait to see this swap done and hear your impression.

-Schultzy

iansane · Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 9:02 am Post subject:

I'll echo the previous two gents and say just drop it in. That's what I did. I mean I'm already begging for more power but it was easiest to get the motor in and setup the chassis/wiring without having to worry about tuning it as well.

QwkTrip · Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 9:17 am Post subject:

Ian makes a really good point. Do the swap with something that works to help troubleshoot any pitfalls of the swap. Then do mods after it's up and running right.

RSFreak · Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 7:48 pm Post subject:

Another vote here for just dropping it in. Can't wait to hear how it turns out! Cool

blue89 · Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 9:17 pm Post subject:

You are going have enough to do with the engine swap that a mod or two will put you over the edge. Install, then mod. By the way, you got a radiator and hoses with it?

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 8:32 pm Post subject:

So I'm taking your advice and not worrying about cam swapping or pulling the heads if it passes a compression test.

Here is the progress I made today.
I got the wiring harness totally pulled apart and ready to start building the new harness from scratch.

Also, got the accessories pulled, valve covers off, intake off, and pulled the oil pan. I'm no expert here, but the cross hatching in the cylinders is still intact and the rotating assembly turns freely. Let me know your expert thoughts.

~JAKE

Now on to the pictures.

RAT NEST!

all organized

Look at the crosshatching is still on the cylinder walls!

iansane · Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 8:38 pm Post subject:

Mmmm... pictures.

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 8:47 pm Post subject:

MORE PICTURES!

Pure hotness....

let me know what you guys think?

~JAKE