[LT1 for 81 Avanti]

Tom,

Thanks for that! Did you find the Bowers brackets easier to use, or a better fit than the 93-96 ac/alternator brackets? They also locate these to the driver side. Also not sure about the "body spacers" as to where they are located. I do like the rake and will remove the blocks between the rear springs and the axle. But I am afraid of lowering the front since both my cars have a habit of taking out the fenders if you don't hit the driveway carefully. I appreciate your input!

Arie

[LT1 for 81 Avanti]

The 95 LT1 should have spanish arch style ports, not square. You should be

able to use the Caprice/Impala manifolds. The Camaro ones are the same,

other than a different seal at the head pipe. You will need to use the smog

equipment, which includes using the Caprice dual CATs. Painless makes a

great kit, you did the right thing there. You also need 40 PSI fuel pressure.

I think that the later Monte Avantis used EFI, so one of those tanks should

work, someone can chime in on that. I would use the dual fans, & also the

radiator from the Caprice if you can. With the LT1, you should also be able

to remove the extra spacers between the body and frame and get the Stude

rake back. That will require removing the fender fillers. An inexpensive way

to relocate the A/C is available through Bowers.

http://www.bowersrodshop.com/home.htm

I have 4 LT1s in my driveway ... and am currently swaping an LT1 into a 78

Camaro ... so I have done some research.

Tom

[LT1 for 81 Avanti]

Thanks for your info! I will look into that on monday.

Arie

[LT1 for 81 Avanti]

Hi!

I am a new member of this group and I live in the Central Valley of CA (hot!) I recently bought my second Avanti (81)from Tom Wright in St. Augustine Florida. Great car, and great people. Paint/chrome is good, and interior/glass is good, but our CA, DMV won't even begin to smog the 96 crate motor(14000 miles) So one project left instead of so many. I did purchase a smogged 95 Caprice cop car, and the switch is on. Bought the Painless wire harness and I look forward to seeing this baby run. I have some ideas to share pictures and findings later, but I was hoping that someone might have done this before. I spoke to Bill Parisi, of Forrest Hills this morning and he seems to have an LT1 (for sale), and I also believe that Blake had an 82 with factory installed LT1. Are there others? The search is on for AC/alternator brackets from a 94-96 Corvette to get the AC away from the frame. Still I have not found the smog legal exhaust manifolds for the cast iron heads with 1.25 inch square ports. They should center dump, but so far no cigar. Since the cop car came with oil cooler, p.s. cooler, and tranny cooler, and since our Avantis do have regular cooling issues, I wonder if anyone has thought of putting some of these inside the fender wells with a vent next to the radiator on either side. Bill said he had installed a Saturn air dam, and there should be a way to collect more cool air to spread the load around. I do have a 4 row aluminum radiator with 1 fan inside, and 2 small ones for the airconditioner. Since the LT1 cooling is reversed does anyone see any issues that I could avoid? Your comments will be greatly appreciated.

P.S. My first car was a white 63 bought from Newman and Altman which they referred to as the Steven's car. I drove it for over 100000 miles and sold it in Sparta. MI, for just a bit more than I paid. Great memorie live on!

Hope to hear

Arie Scholten