LT1 conversion into a 1970 C20 ambulance

[SUBURBULANCE]

Hello,
I am relatively new to the board and was looking for some advice on an engine swap. I have a strong running buick road master that I am looking to pull the LT1 out of along with the whole set up and have it installed into our 1970 suburban ambulance. what are some things that i need to consider or common issues that tend to happen.

[OldCreek]

Hi there. Not much info on the engine transplant... but I guess you've got a lot of room in the engine bay for most anything. Sometimes posting in the engine forum may bring results.

Specifically, I wanted to comment on your name/call sign.... That's cool. Almost sound Regal!

[oldiron]

Welcome to the board. There has been a couple of conversions here. Look around the site and give it some time for folks to find this thread to response.

[BEACON6]

Would love to see a couple pics of your ambulance!!! Got any?

[boostat4500]

Hello. I put a Vortec 6.0L ( LS1 ) in my burb a few months ago. Is there anything specific your wondering about the swap, or just general info? What tranny are you using?

[SUBURBULANCE]

The motor is coming out of a buick roadmaster wagon so the tranny will be a 4160e. As for the info, I am mainly looking for any other things to consider. I am not sure if I am going to have the time to do it myself so I might be turning it over to a shop/

[Pyrotechnic]

From what I've read on many LT1 swap, you usually have to cut small notch out of the frame if you want to use the LT1 A/C compressor in it's stock location. Also consider replacing the Optispark unit with MSD pieces as they are much more reliable.

Is the Buick Roadmaster in good shape? Something else to consider is selling the car complete and putting that money towards a LS Engine like a 5.3 or 6.0 and a 4L60E. Usually you can buy engine, trans, computer, and wiring harness complete. Just seems like if you are going to go through the trouble of an engine swap and fuel injection conversion, the LS motor will be much better than the LT1.

For a low buck, low time investment deal, a standard carbureted small block will be the easiest and least time consuming. If you want fuel injection, TBI is a fairly simple setup and parts at this point are pretty cheap.

[boostat4500]

I second the notion of doing an LS based motor instead. If your going throught the trouble anyway, I'd definetley put something really nice in there. The extra 100+ horsepower will also make it worth it. As far as doing the swap, yes the frame will need to be notched a little for the A/C compressor. I would also recomend completely gutting the engine bay of all old wiring before you do anything. It won't be needed anyway and just gets in the way.

[Hart_Rod]

Here's a link to an LT-1 Conversion:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=52057

I've got one out of a 97 Camaro in my 48 Chevy. Tones of power and low end torque. I'm putting this in my 69 Burb, 5.3/4L60E (only 10 miles ).

[67Cowboy]

Originally Posted by SUBURBULANCE

Hello,
I am relatively new to the board and was looking for some advice on an engine swap. I have a strong running buick road master that I am looking to pull the LT1 out of along with the whole set up and have it installed into our 1970 suburban ambulance. what are some things that i need to consider or common issues that tend to happen.

This question has been asked several times before, so a search should give you a couple options here on the board. There is a web site about your engine, mostly Camero guys but there is alot of info, you'll find a link in one of the threads. Also that site has alot of links to info on the ignition system swap, A/C brackets, etc... I looked at it because I wanted to know what the swap would be like from my 283/350TH in my '67 because I heard of guys getting 28 mpg which would be about a 40% increase for me and in the long run would pay for itself easily.