1996 CAPRICE engine swaps
96capriceclassic
10-12-2007, 10:27 AM
hello does anybody know what other motors will fit it the 96 caprice 5.7 and work with . computer and exc. i was looking at a 95 lt1 out of camaro and would i be able to use the automatic trans ...any info would be helpfull......:banghead:
96capricemgr
10-12-2007, 10:58 AM
Any LT1 will work, just a matter of how much of the stuff bolted to the outside you would have to change.
Do NOT go assuming an f-body motor is an upgrade, the 95 and earlier aluminum heads flow less than your stock iron ones, the cam gives up the lowend torque this car needs and the little extra HP they got from the facory is pretty easily attributed to 91 octane programming and intake track differences. "bolton" b-bodies and f-bodies tend to make very similar HP when tuned well which makes me wonder if the f-body cam was ground to hurt lowend power to try and save their weak axle, rather than ground to give a little more HP as is usually assumed.
Don't get me wrong the f-body motor will be OK, I am just saying don't go paying a premium for it thinking it is an upgrade because it is NOT.
The most direct fit would be 96 Caprice, Roadmaster or Fleetwood. The Roadmaster(sedan or wagon) and Fleetwood were only available with the LT1, the Caprice wagon was only available with the LT1, if you find a Caprice sedan you just have to be sure it is a 5.7 as the base 4.3L V8 looks exactly like the LT1 and actually uses a lot of the same parts. If you need more on telling the difference between them we can halp with that, need to look at casting numbers.
The LT1s year for year had the same exact shortblocks, meaning cranks, pistons, rods, blocks, the earlier stuff had 1970s era forged rods and sometime in 94-5 they switched to powdered metal, both are good, I only mention it because it is the only real shortblock difference. The Vette got the same block machined for extra main bolts but that is of no value, the standard blocks will hold all you are likely to ask, easily taking twice stock power before they are an issue.
Do NOT go assuming an f-body motor is an upgrade, the 95 and earlier aluminum heads flow less than your stock iron ones, the cam gives up the lowend torque this car needs and the little extra HP they got from the facory is pretty easily attributed to 91 octane programming and intake track differences. "bolton" b-bodies and f-bodies tend to make very similar HP when tuned well which makes me wonder if the f-body cam was ground to hurt lowend power to try and save their weak axle, rather than ground to give a little more HP as is usually assumed.
Don't get me wrong the f-body motor will be OK, I am just saying don't go paying a premium for it thinking it is an upgrade because it is NOT.
The most direct fit would be 96 Caprice, Roadmaster or Fleetwood. The Roadmaster(sedan or wagon) and Fleetwood were only available with the LT1, the Caprice wagon was only available with the LT1, if you find a Caprice sedan you just have to be sure it is a 5.7 as the base 4.3L V8 looks exactly like the LT1 and actually uses a lot of the same parts. If you need more on telling the difference between them we can halp with that, need to look at casting numbers.
The LT1s year for year had the same exact shortblocks, meaning cranks, pistons, rods, blocks, the earlier stuff had 1970s era forged rods and sometime in 94-5 they switched to powdered metal, both are good, I only mention it because it is the only real shortblock difference. The Vette got the same block machined for extra main bolts but that is of no value, the standard blocks will hold all you are likely to ask, easily taking twice stock power before they are an issue.
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2025