Help! Wanting to convert from Hotair to Intercooled

[my85grandnation]

I am thinking about taking one of my 85 hotairs, and converting it over to an 87 intercooled setup. I can get all the parts I need for the conversion from Intercooled88s so finding the parts is not whats bothering me. What is bothering me is how hard will this be to do? What all has to be changed, and what can be left alone? I would appreciate feedback from people that have done this before. Pictures and instructions on the process would be a great help too. Thanks Dusty

 

[jacksorroche]

I am in the middle of the conversion myself. Basically everything about the motor has to be changed out. I tore out the motor and tranny all at once. I had the tranny rebuilt/upgraded to handle the increased ponies and torque. I replaced the entire engine, with the exception of the crank. I used the old one. I changed out the wiring harness, the entire exhaust system, and upgraded the fuel delivery with a high flow fuel pump. The fuel filter has to be relocated, so when the gas tank was dropped, I relocated it back there. I took out the feed tube and replaced it with a two piece tube with the filter in the middle and ran a rubber line to the tank. I also changed out the upper control arms and bushings.

I am still in the middle of completing the transmission hookup. Everything has proven to be a bitter fight to the end, and the transmission has been no exception. I have to change out just about everything to include the lines, detent cable, and even the dip stick. After working on it for the better part of a year, I am beginning to consider giving up in defeat. Things have been going wrong since I bought the car and continue to do so. With the exception of the car burning down, everything else has gone wrong. I hope things go better for you.

 

[racemybuick]

some people said, if you have a motor and trans already then it is just a couple more mods to swap.....Like a map sensor, computer, harness can be re-used, just need teh caspers conversion for the coil pack....you will need a throttle cable and detent, bu those can come with an LC2.....

As for the trans and all...not too much should be done...I have heard that you dont need the BRF, but if you got one, put it in!!! if not, the original trans shouldnt be too bad....

Most of the hard parts are in the computer swap....if you re-use the 85 block (20 bolt) you have to perform a few mods, like the oil sender and stuff, but 8445 heads are universal to the 84-87, the intake will bolt the same, the pans are the same....so...getting a couple brackets for the IC and turbo are all you will need....as per how hard....on a scale of 1-10....I would say a strong 7.....You have all the ground work ready, you just need parts and a little knowledge in the eletronics!

Have fun, be safe, and keep those hot airs!!!!!


John :biggrin: