Quick TPI swap question for the guru collective (1 Viewer)

[AKcruiserfreak]

Hey all,
I have a line on a free 1994 Buick Roadmaster with a LT1 and have a few questions.

Is this a TPI motor or some other variant?
Would it be a good motor to swap into the 60? (i.e. would the electronics be something a guy handle?)

What tranny is found in the Roadmasters with an LT1?

Sorry for the basic questions, but I'd really like to see if one of you have swapped one of these motors into a 60. The price makes it hard for me to pass up.

Thanks
TK

 

[Dynosoar]

It is an LT1 they usually have a 4l60E trans behind them. Technically it is a Tuned Port Injection car but it is not the Classic TPI engine. The ignitions on those is the opti spark (aka: opti crap) and are water sensitive. It is not a bad engine and there is plenty of aftermarket support for it. If you can get the whole car for cheap I would say go for it. You will need a lot of the small stuff from the car. I would get the harness redone by Howell or one of the other reputible firms. Or buy a new harness and get rid of the old one.


Dynosoar

 

[lehiguy]

That motor might be one of the few LT1s that had a cast iron head. I reccomend a compression test before you decide if you are going to drop her straight in or rebuild it. It is a port injected motor with plenty of potential and will run circles around a stock TBI. Do get a new distributor (may have already been done) the early Optispark had poor sealing and died an early death.

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

Cool! Thanks for the info guys! I'm really torn between getting this motor or just waiting until I find a "real" TPI motor out of a Camaro or Vette. This motor does have some miles on it (120k), so I'll go out and compression test it this weekend and drive it around. I never realized how big those old Roadmasters were until I got in this one. They are a boat for sure.

TK

 

[e30fj62]

the LT1 is a nice engine good power and lots of aftermarket parts,
the problem as posted before is the front mounted optispark distributor it doesnt like to get wet!


you can check out my thread

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-...50-700r4-stock-toyota-transfer-swap-guys.html

in the first pic i show a TPI engine that i want to swap in my 62, cant wait to fire it up but its not in that stage yet

 

[Kurtis]

An lt1 makes a good amount of power more than the tpi and with a small amount of work makes a lot more.

 

[LCOwner]

I'd drop in an LT1 before a TPI any day.