I'm planning to add a 1996 Brougham/Impala SS LT1 drivetrain to my RWD 2 door Brougham. Is this the most affortable drivetrain to update my old 4.1L engine? Lt1 drive train includes engine, tranny and differential. Can I install an LS1 or LS2 drivetrain. What other GM drivetrain can I install to my 83 caddy. I have a 1996 Impala SS and my mechanic ,who specializes in LT1 motors
(9C1, caprice, impalas, roadmaster from 94-96) said this is the best and affortable drivetrain to install. He said the camaros corvettes firebirds with the LT1 or LT4 have a different cam and might not give it the quickness and torque needed to move the Caddy. Can anyone help me here. LOVE the way my Impala SS moves with all the basic and common bolt ons added. Wish my 83 Brougham coupe moved and responded like my LT1. Thanks

The LT1 is a great motor, but it does have its quirks(optispark being #1). I'd personally look for a 5.3 V8 out of a 1999+ GM truck or SUV. You can find those dirt cheap all day long with low miles. The motor and transmission combo will run you between $500-$1000 depending on year, miles, and what is included with the motor. They move around a 5000lb+ Suburban pretty nice, so they'll feel even better in your 4100lb Cadillac.

If you have a bit more $$$ to spend, the 2005-2006 GTO has the LS2 V8/auto trans combo. That's 400hp and 400lb/ft torque stock. Buying a motor out of a C5 or C6 Corvette is an option, but you'd have to buy the trans seperate since the Corvette uses a transmission intergrated into the rear axle assembly.

Personally, go with the 5.3L, I have seen for $400 with under 50K miles on them. Forget old school, it isn't worth it.

300 hp 5.3L will be a ball to drive and get great mpg to boot.

How much more work is it to add a 5.3 or a 6.oL truck engine to my Caddy? Any special adaptors mods etc..... I know for a fact that an LT1 will fit just right in my Caddy. Has anyone done this conversion?

6.0L is more expensive and honestly if you don't NEED the power, or have a hard time justifying the extra $800+, then the 5.3L is the way to go.

If you can get a L33 (the all alum 5.3L in the SSR and some others) then you have a lightweight engine and 325 hp....With the stock 3.42's in a HT4100 car, it will fly.....

Buying a motor out of a C5 or C6 Corvette is an option, but you'd have to buy the trans seperate since the Corvette uses a transmission intergrated into the rear axle assembly.

Really, how does that work?

Think of a FWD transaxle, but in the back with the engine in the front.

Really, how does that work?

I'll tell you how it works... EASY AS PIE is how it works!

lol Sorry, it reminded me of the salesman from Family Guy (the scene in the movie where he tries to sell Peter and Lois the TiVo).

But seriously though... This is a picture of a transaxle out of a C5:

http://www.thewarfields.com/img/Cars/HotRodBlog/C5Drivetrain.jpg

Yeah, there is no center driveshaft on a Vette. They have what is called a Torque Tube instead, no U joints.

C5 'Vette and onwards, yeah.

While I do like the idea of an LT1 powered 80's Coupe, I think that it would be a major undertaking. It could also be very expensive. Have you given the Olds engines any thought? The 307, 350, 403, and I think even the 455 bolt right in. If you do go the LT1 route, hats off to you, sir. Good Luck either way! :thumbsup:

How much more work is it to add a 5.3 or a 6.oL truck engine to my Caddy? Any special adaptors mods etc..... I know for a fact that an LT1 will fit just right in my Caddy. Has anyone done this conversion?

It would be almost the same exact amount of work IMO. You still have to do all the custom wiring, fab up some motor mounts, fab up new throttle/transmission linkages, reroute all the vacume lines, etc, etc, etc.

Thanks for all your input. I live in southern CA. Can anyone recommend a place where I can get a drivetrain from the vehicles mentioned above + a place where I can have this installed? Thanks

N0DIH seems to know a fair bit about where to acquire engines and such.