[69TA]

I am in the process of installing a 96' LT1 out of a WS6 T/A in my 69' Trans Am(clone). I have the ECU with the LT1. I already have the old engine/tranny pulled....so Im ready. My plan is to do the following:

-96' LT1 w/ ECU & original radiator.
-Hooker Shorty headers
-Auto 700R tranny
-Painless wiring (Part#764-60505 from Jegs)
-MSD external fuel pump (Part# 2225)
Return line back to tank or back to line inbetween pump/tank...


==Will I need the 4ft. extra length harness from painless? Or is that necessary?
==Will using a 700R instead of a 4l60e give me any problems as I know I will have an extra plug/wire for it?
==To anyone that has already done this install, any advice or input would be great!

Ill post more pics as the build continues!

Thanks in advance!
SHEP

[nashcar]

Can't answer you're question but sharp look'in car Shep.

[69TA]

Thanks, I still need to do some finishing touches on it as I just got done repainting it. But its getting there. Im just anxious to get it together with the LT1 that I have for it so I can drive it! Trying to make it a Pro-Touring ride...

[69TA]

Originally Posted by nashcar

Can't answer you're question but sharp look'in car Shep.

I just knoteced the link to your 69' Project Bird. Thats a nice one 2..just needs a good cleaning & detailed out again. Ive had mine since the early 90's. It sat in a barn just like yours for 8 years. I started restoring it a few months ago and it has definitely payed off now.

[nashcar]

Originally Posted by 69TA

I just knoteced the link to your 69' Project Bird. Thats a nice one 2..just needs a good cleaning & detailed out again. Ive had mine since the early 90's. It sat in a barn just like yours for 8 years. I started restoring it a few months ago and it has definitely payed off now.

Mines in for paint as we speak and hope to have it back together by snow time. I've got all the pieces back from different restorers. Just waiting for the carb which is supposed to be done this week after waiting 8 months. I'll be posting some pics soon. Good luck with yours.

[red67camaro]

I recently did a similar swap using a 4L60E.

I can't help with the painless harness as I modified the factory harness which had enough length to put the ECU in the glove box.

I'm sure a 700R4 can be made to work just fine but you will need to consider some issues. One is to get the throttle valve cable hooked up to the throttle with the proper geometry. Another is to program the ECU (a manual trans tune would be the obvious choice) so it doesn't try to control an electronic trans that isn't there. A third is a vehicle speed sensor. The ECU uses it primarily for trans shifting, but it is also necessary for various engine functions such as deceleration fuel cutoff and idle control.

For more LT1 specific info, try the forums at camaross.com and ls1tech.com

[130fe]

I ran almost the same setup you are planning until I upgraded some things. The MSD pump worked good. It is a little noisy, didn't bother me though. I ran mine for a couple of years with a modified stock tank and just had to watch it when the tank was less than 1/4 (starve for fuel). I eventually added an intank pump but it the MSD one worked good.

You don't necessarily need the extra long harness, the added length harness will give you more options on where to mount your PCM though, like maybe under a seat. I am using the 60502 (standard length harness) in mine. I have my PCM mounted in the glove box area. Depending on whether you have factory ac or heat will determine how much room you will have. Before my vintage air install I made a PCM/fuse panel mount out of aluminum and it worked good. With the VA stuff in now, I have the PCM and fuse panel mounted in between the dash panel and the VA unit. I have not run into any problems with it. The only down side is that you will loose the use of your glovebox space.

You can use the 700r4 with out any problems also. Be sure and get a 93 throttle cable bracket. The 93's were the only year that used the 4l60/700r4 (non electronic) trans. You just have to program your PCM for it.

With that harness you won't be able to use the 96 PCM (OBD II). The painless harness is setup for a OBD I. It discusses this in the instructions and tells you which sensors you will have to change. Not that big of a deal though. The PCM you will need ends with a 8051 number. They were common among the 94-95 camaros/firebirds and caprices/impalas. When it comes to programming the PCM I can give you some good info on what things to tune in/out when it comes to using the painless harness.

I put the harness in in 2001 and haven't had any problems with it. It was pretty good in the plug and play aspect. Every plug was labeled clearly. The install was pretty straight forward. When you get closer I can give you more info that can help you out. Let me know what other questions you might have and I will be more than happy to help you out.

[69TA]

Its been awhile, but $$ has been tight and Ive been doing a little at a time. Ive got the wiring harness, fuse/relay box, and everything wired up together. My PCM has been tuned with VATS disabled. The PCM is getting power and everything is grounded good. I cannot get my fuel pump relay control(green/white wire in LT1 harness) to send a signal to my fuel pump for some reason. The FP comes on just fine if I touch it on a 12V power source? Anyway, heres some updated pics.

[69TA]

Power steering setup...

[rick]

That looks great. I'm not sure that your LT1 is similar, but with my TPI system I had a similar problem. At the time, the motor was not running, I just wanted to check the fuel system for leaks by pressurizing it. I didn't know that the ECM only provides the ground for the pump for a short time ( 3-5 secs???) if there is no oil pressure. BY the time I got from the drivers seat to the engine compartment the pump would stop running - like it was suppose to. So, you MAY have a similar situation with the LT1. Good luck & again the car sure looks great.

[glide]

(from your first post) Did you run the fuel return line back to the tank, or T it back into the inlet side of the pump? Nothing to do with your electric question, but I'm wondering if a T connection would lead to higher fuel temps.

Tom

[69TA]

I got the car running. My switched 12v fuse/relay box relay was bad. I put a new one in and it worked. I was also using the VSS wire(light green/white) on accident and shouldve used the fuel pump relay control(dark green/white). Anyway its alive!!! I still need to put the O2's in the headers and do some odds & ends, but its alive after all the hard work! Ill get a vid clip soon!

About my fuel pump, I am using a gas tank with an internal fuel pump specifically made for a LT1 in my 69'. Part#: GM32BFI I ran a 3/8" brake line from the tank for my pressure line and my return line is the original gas line. It works great and the fuel pump primes for a couple seconds when I turn the ignition on as if it is factory.

[Jeff H]

Nice looking car! I had a 68 Camaro with a 94 LT1 and 4L60E trans. I ran some longtube headers with O2 sensor bungs welded in with no problems. I used the same trans crossmember and it worked great and allowed easy exhaust clearance. That will be a fun ride when it's done!

[130fe]

My headers were already coated, so I had O2 bungs welded into the collectors. I have them positioned towards the inside (towards transmission). No problems with them to date. Good to hear you are making good progress.