ok I am building this car on a super tight budget and I am posting to see what other think on the best way to Swap in a 94 LT1 into my 1970 el camino.

This first thing we need to discuss is the placement of the motor.

So when you pull all the ACC brackets you can flip the mount and drop the motor right in.

I must have A/C.... so after you put the motor inplace support the motor put the passanger mount back in place mark and drill new mount holes notch the frame... some sources say it will fit right in. we will se in a few nights to put this myth at rest with pics!!

After you tackle that the crossmember is next. I bought a poly mount from advanced in the performance section for 28.00. I have a 4L60E. put the mount on the holes closest to the pan drill now hole in the frame.

I have to have my stock gauges.... YOu can Buy the Cable-x box or a company like it for 300. I have looked in 30 caprice police cruises for the same thing supposedly used by the factory... does not exist.
It seems the best solution so you can change wheels and rear end later.
You can change the tail shaft but one you have it set you are done no more changes of tires or gears.
My thought
I was thinking put the Mechanical speed sensor back in and send it to the gauges and then use a mechanical to electric VSS sensor is like $20 but electric to mechanical (cable-x) is like $300

Gas tank
I can't cut my bed. underside is ok but not the top. you can find a buick or caprice wagon but good luck. supposed you can get a universal metal caprice tank that allows side fill with the EFI but have not found it yet.
I think that an inline fuel pump will be ok? why do I need to go with it in tank?
If so one guy built a baffle in his tank and did an intank with a ford fuel pump but why for reliability... you are putting in ford parts. think about it.

Radiator
So you probably wont find the radiator for the motor you pulled from the yard so your best be is to get the caprice radiator form a used parts place because if you dont you will have to make some custom hoses. which if you take it from my corvette custom hoses always leak unless some shop special radiator has made custom one peice hose.

Harness
I got a painless harness and computer from CL for 200. if you pull the factory harness is the cheapest but when you remove all the EGR is messes with the computer and a reflash is needed.

OK tell me your thought guys
I think that should cover the build in a general way.
Most of this is research and I am going to finish this within the next few weeks.
I have the motor in but with the mount in the AC position.

Driveshaft will have to be shortened. Are you using the fuel injection or carb ? I read {do a search} about using a caprice fuel sender out of a fuel injected tank. He said you you cut the top of the late model plastic tank off. This gives you the retainer ring which you weld to you tank, that the caprice fuel sender bolts into.

I am going fuel injected to make it a nice daily driver.

I think the gas tank idea mite work but it will have to be a very strait cut to make it work because the plastic to metal i am thinking jb weld but how reliable can that be. better then inline pump?

The drive shaft can be cut by any local machine shop for around 100.

I see what you say this will take some work and when welding a gas tank make sure thatyou have it cleaned with water or sand or something not very flamable.

So I am going to get the metal ring and remove it from the plasitc tank. cut and weld the ring for the correct fit it it a very innovative solution and will post picks as i do this. but these guys are putting this together in ther 80's elky. mine is a 70 i hope the depth works with just a bit of bending the sender.

Anyone have a better idea then the cable x box for the gauges to work?

A trick I picked up here several years ago in a thread on fixing the venting problems in replacement tanks has been invaluable when welding on a tank. Get all the gas out that you possible can of course. Take a piece of drier vent hose and slide over the exhaust from one of your running vehicles and stick it into the sending unit hole of said tank. Let the vehicle idel for 20 - 30 minutes - blowing the exhaust through the tank - and all the gas fumes and remaining hydrocarbons are evaporated. Weld away

good one Neil. Makes sense that it would do the trick.

whats some of the advantages of EFI i plan to rebuild an LT-1 within 10-12 months and drop that in the El Camino, my Jasper rebuild was the route I went with till I knew enough to try undertaking my own engine and also do to another 18 months on warranty. I could blow that motor with dynamite and have it replaced XD I'm nearly so stupid as to believe that but it made me laugh, hope ya'll giggles, anyhow. If I found and restored and old EFI and its set of fuel rails with an air intake that will fit on the standard SBC, like say something from a Vette? Would it be worth it to do away with my 750 CFM eddellbrock high rise carb? EFI seems like bolt on power and mpg with the right tune. It'd be a nice project to help me get mot hot in my hot rod and better drivability until i can do heart surgery for an LT or LS engine. thanks for any info.

:nanawrench:

http://www.elcaminocentral.com/album.php?albumid=218


check out this album it has 94 z28 camaro tank in my 1970 el camino looks factory with factory mounting straps. cost me 150 for the tank and sender and 5 for 2 sawzaw blades.

http://www.elcaminocentral.com/album.php?albumid=218

I am using a dakota digital 8k its 40 dollars ecm has to be programed to accept signal and you can still use the mechanical speedo . You usually have to reprogram it to get rid of the vats and emission stuff anyways .
Tim