Making the LT1 in a C3 Corvette more reliable (PART 2)

Added header wrap and under-car reflective pads for radiant heat control. Added engine coolant expansion tank so that the coolant system can be vented. Improved some of the wiring. Changed all spark plugs. The transmission is a 700R4 (no wiring inside what-so-ever). The original TV cable was way too slack and so the kickdown modulator plunger was way too slack. Found a 1993 Camaro LT1 TV cable and for now it allows the modulator in the transmission to apply properly. The engine throttle bracket and throttle body do not interface very well. I'll work on finding a more elegant solution to the linkage. What do you suggest?

[@hpjunkie69]

awesome progress

[@EllweinEngines]

the 1993 cable has been working for me now. The transmission does kick down and shifts better. It was not an exact fit but I made it work.

[@mardymcdonald2334]

Too cool man! I keep the entirety of my ‘94 Z “from rusting” too 😆👏👏

[@jamesgeorge4874]

The TV cable should be adjusted using a line pressure gauge, if it has the T350, or 700R4 / 4L60, if it used the 4L60E that would have come behind the LT1, the TP sensor would be used, as GM debuted the 4L60E in '94, and did away with the TV cable. It is critical to the life of the trans, and it should downshift, if adjusted correctly.

[@EllweinEngines]

That universal cable that came with the car just did not work out well or I just could not figure out how to adjust it. The 1993 Camaro TV cable worked much better and the test drive (no in this video) worked well. good kickdown and it holds the shift points higher.

[@rsnarski3]

I have a major front oil leak I need to investigate.

[@EllweinEngines]

oooo! on what car?

[@rsnarski3]

@@EllweinEngines ERE124 in my 94 Impala. I only drove the car twice after I put the engine in and the 4l60e went on strike for a rebuild. I’ll get back to normal project car things once I get the trans sorted. I expected this.

[@EllweinEngines]

@@rsnarski3 Maybe the water pump shaft seal? I cannot remember what you have up there.

[@jtome84-91]

Any thoughts on the afr 180 lt1 heads ? Don’t really want to buy an lt4 intake manifold . Probably going to go 224/230 on the cam or maybe the tick 227/234 cam

[@EllweinEngines]

Oh yes. My thoughts on the AFR 180 LT1 or any AFR heads (right out of the box) is that they are a very good bang for the buck. The best quality available and best quality assurance. Good flow even for the smallest and lowest price AFR head. I would put them on my engine in my car in a heart beat if I had the time.

[@jtome84-91]

@@EllweinEngines thanks Karl I really appreciate the information about the cylinder heads and throttle body .

[@rudyb2829]

its an LT4

[@EllweinEngines]

How can you tell? Personally I've borescoped the cylinders and it's an aftermarket piston. The timing cover is 94-95 style LT1. The heads are aftermarket AFR. You don't think that maybe the intake was an LT 4 purchase? I have two LT4 intake manifolds but I don't have any LT4 engines. For this car, the block could have started lift as a 1996LT4 but I think it is a 1994 Corvette LT1 block. That's my best guess. Corvette LT1 blocks are as good as Corvette LT4. Corvette LT4 had better crankshaft steel but and awesome GM LT4 heads but this engine has AFR heads (even better) and aftermarket rotating assembly. Cannot call it an LT4 in my opinion just because it has an LT4 intake manifold.