It's probably too much work to convert. But then, I believe the LT1 timing chain cover will fit an older small block but can't say if the Opti will fit under an older water pump. You'd want the newer style cover and Opti though so you can just put a longer dowel pin in the cam to drive the Opti.
Go with the 4L60e anyways. Being able to program the shift points and converter lockup to work exactly how one wants will make one realize how shitty a 700R4 conversion is to drive in comparison.
Last edited by lionelhutz; 09-02-2014 at 08:02 PM.
it would actually be pretty easy to make a lil' DSP box to convert (and interpolate) various types of distributor signals...
a lower resolution signal could be faked into a working opti signal pretty easily. also an opti could pretty easily be converted back to a normal distributor.
i have a bit of experience with DSP, maybe i should do a bit more research. could be a little arduino box
does anyone have any good data on various timing reference signals that different distributors use?
http://pcmhacking.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2913 like this steveo programmable ignition box for delco ecu's runs most things nissan multislot wheels etc as well
yep, something like that. cool project
I would prefer the LT1 ECU over the TBI. I got the ecu from the car that the trans came from. 94 can be flasted from the aldl port. Would love to know more on making it work.
On Facebook, a guy install a Vortec 454 multi port injection on an earlier big block. He had posted a video of first start up. I asked if he was running a marine ecu, and he said he got the wiring and computer from Temp speed shop. That it is a lt1 Corvette computer. He didn't have a crank sensor. He doesn't know enough to give any deals about how they made it work.
It looks like its been done, just can't find how its done.
the lt1 ecm requires encoded cam position pulses from an optispark for timing reference. it doesn't use a crank sensor. most other ecms use either a hall effect thing or a different type of encoder wheel; the optispark wheel is unique. again, you'd either have to gut an opti to get the proper wheel and sensor, or figure out how to convert signals, which is a huge job.
You can do it all bolt-on parts if the timing cover from a LT1 will fit on your engine. I have no idea if it will fit or not, but if it does you can then add the cam/cover/opti-spark etc to get the signals the ECU needs. Otherwise, you need to fabricate a pickup in the distributor or on the end of the camshaft that gives the correct pulses for the ECU.Originally Posted by X-cabsquarebody
you'd have to gut the opti and still run an ordinary distributor somewhere else, since a traditional SBC waterpump wont clear the optispark cap. then you'll find the LT1 waterpump can't be used to get around that, it's shaft drive and reverse flow...
The 700R4 isnt necessarily a horrible transmission, the 4L60E is internally the same aside from the addition of electronic controls. Now the throttle cable system in anything other than a factory setup is usually a joke as most aftermarket brackets and cables provide horrible geometry and never get set right so burnt trans is the norm. I will be upgrading my brothers '72 camaro from the 700 to a 4L60E after the completion of my trans controller project. Anywho, just my 2 cents.
Buddrow
If it don't fit force it, if it don't force fit f&%@ it!
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