2Loose
reliable source of info
It would be good to get some info posted here on the newer Chevy LT and LS ignition systems.
I salvaged the LT1 out of my wrecked 93 Camaro, along with the computer, and the T56 six speed, to rebuild and put into my 55 Chevy project car.
In the interest of time I had my LT1 rebored and rebuilt by Chad Golen with a stroker crank and lots of other hipo parts to 396 ci and 520 hp. This included Lloyd Elliott ported Trick Flow heads, 4 bolt main conversion added, specs are here if you are interested. I ported the LT intake plenum to match the heads and the upgraded throttle body, and added upgraded injectors. Rather than mess around trying to come up with a properly reprogrammed chip (the '93's were still a speed density system, with batch fire injectors, and used a plug in chip) I went to the F.A.S.T. XFI system.
My LT1 still has the front mounted "Optispark" ignition system. I have upgraded it to the newer vented system. The original system was non vented and open to the atmosphere, making it subject to moisture intrusion and corrosion. I'm also told that with all that high voltage energy bouncing around in there that ozone would build up and cause corrosion. Changing these units in the car is a royal pita as they are mounted behind the water pump. The newer vented units are vented to the intake manifold, which seems to keep them a little cleaner, keeps the ozone vented out, their service record is much, much better than the earlier ones anyway.
Many of these later Optispark systems have gone many thousands of miles without problems. So I am hoping this one will work ok for me.
Aloha,
Willy
Here's what my LT396 motor looks like, still not in the car (me bad !!!)
I salvaged the LT1 out of my wrecked 93 Camaro, along with the computer, and the T56 six speed, to rebuild and put into my 55 Chevy project car.
In the interest of time I had my LT1 rebored and rebuilt by Chad Golen with a stroker crank and lots of other hipo parts to 396 ci and 520 hp. This included Lloyd Elliott ported Trick Flow heads, 4 bolt main conversion added, specs are here if you are interested. I ported the LT intake plenum to match the heads and the upgraded throttle body, and added upgraded injectors. Rather than mess around trying to come up with a properly reprogrammed chip (the '93's were still a speed density system, with batch fire injectors, and used a plug in chip) I went to the F.A.S.T. XFI system.
My LT1 still has the front mounted "Optispark" ignition system. I have upgraded it to the newer vented system. The original system was non vented and open to the atmosphere, making it subject to moisture intrusion and corrosion. I'm also told that with all that high voltage energy bouncing around in there that ozone would build up and cause corrosion. Changing these units in the car is a royal pita as they are mounted behind the water pump. The newer vented units are vented to the intake manifold, which seems to keep them a little cleaner, keeps the ozone vented out, their service record is much, much better than the earlier ones anyway.
Many of these later Optispark systems have gone many thousands of miles without problems. So I am hoping this one will work ok for me.
Aloha,
Willy
Here's what my LT396 motor looks like, still not in the car (me bad !!!)