There was even a front-wheel drive 5.3L LS4, but stay away from this unless you plan on building something with a transaxle (the transmission mounting points are different). The shops that I spoke with reported the challenge of helping a customer stuck with a hodgepodge install. These days, you're likely to find a block off like the one on the bottom right covering it up. via Motor1. With my money, Id take a somewhat abused 350z donor car thats been modded to go drifting and yank out the VQ35DE. Naturally, you want one good enough to tame all the heat generated by that added horsepower. Unlike the 5.7L aluminum blocks, which only take a light hone, the 4.00-inch bores could be enlarged .030 over like a typical small-block. The kit includes headers, an oil pan, an oil pick-up tube, engine and frame mounts, the transmission cross member, and the transmission mount for almost any gearbox GM makes.And TransDapt isnt the only one making kits for LS swaps. Well, I know only a precious few things in life are free but, Id like to think its because we have an appropriate blend of a business and personal relationship. Only modification to make that work so far was drill holes on the fan shroud to lower it. These engines are making a ton of horsepower on stock bottom ends, but its the small things that will allow them to keep being efficent and reliable for you. Long tubes make more power, but if you're on a budget, then later model cast iron exhaust manifolds can serve you well. In the mean time, GM had taken the original LS1 design and cast it in iron for trucks. Well I've been working out a V8 swap for my 78 Z for some time. Back in the old days, we had to notch and cut up pans. Be careful when purchasing a flexplate and bolts. Be sure to take a look at the port of your heads as well. There are many routes to overcome this, but some are more simple than others.. Some prefer to have the inlet and outlet of the radiator both on the passenger side, and while that does make plumping it all in easier, it's certainly not a requirement. As far as electronics go.. Ive brought everything from the 2001 accept for the steering column and ignition. Different generations of LS based engines came with different styles of throttle body. I hope you find this guide helpful and informative. From the factory this car came with a great sports car looks, suicide doors, 50/50 weight distribution (great for handling), and an unbelievably smooth and undeniably cool Wankel rotary engine. Some have an IAC (idle air control) valve in the throttle body itself that controls idle airflow. You can really learn a thing or two about car dynamics driving a car like this, because you can drive it flat out most of the time and still not be breaking the law. Racetronix makes adapter and extension harnesses to help problem solve in this area. Restomod Air, Vintage Air, and Classic Auto Air are three air conditioning providers that will come in useful this summer. and then it breaks. With the rectangular port heads, the LS9 is the most aggressive of the bunch with .558/.562-inch lift, 211/230 degrees of duration, and a 122.5 LSA. There are fabrication kits that include an adapter bracket to bolt on a traditional four-bolt 4L60 tail shaft. The aftermarket ones are nice because they offer multiple ports and more options is always a good thing. We do offer a kit with a power steering delete as well, so in the place of the power steering pulley we include an idler pulley and an updated belt length for that application. Only the LS9 received forged pistons, making the ring land a weak spot on most LS pistons for boost and nitrous. There are many things that are different between these two generations of engines and can really be difficult to decipher what parts you need for your build. The differences between the three different engines were the camshaft (variable valve timing was used in the L92 and L99), lifters/valley cover (Active Fuel Management in the L92 and L99), and the valves. Click the below links to take you straight to the section you would like to see, or feel free to scroll through everything. The aftermarket options include increased oil capacity and better ground clearance over most OEM units. General spacing applies for the water pumps as well. Unlike the iron block, it will only take a .005-inch hone, so 402-416 cubic-inches is about the limit. We have seen customers do many things in this situation, you can opt for a new modern front suspension system, or you can notch out what you need to to make it work. Download the full LS Swap Guide or select the individual guide to find the info you need from the list below. But, to be honest, the LS doesn't care what you have so long as it has electric fans. The list goes on. This recommendation works with many other old school muscle cars that need a little refresh (Chevy Nova, Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Trans Am, etc.). Yes they will bolt up, but spacing is very important, same as pulley size, ect. If you get a turbo version with some turbo issue rendering it un-drivable, this will be the best score. A higher performance version was created for the 2001-2004 Corvette Z06, dubbed the LS6, with higher flowing heads, hotter cam and an improved block. You are not Gas Monkey Garage. For example, you can get a custom torque converter made for your particular swap, which changes the spacing and mounting locations, or you can just use a spacer. See link to shop ICT Billet Injector Adapters. LS engineswe include all the Vortec truck variants in thisare remarkably similar, but there are some key changes that were made along the way. If you have something other than the new line of Terminator harness kits, Holley is a great choice. that has some engine issue thats preventing it from running properly/running at all. The first thing you need to know is which ignition coils you have, or will need for your swap. use any water pump on any LS based engine. I'm in the "ballpark" regarding price and should have the car after the first of the new year. Extensive custom fabrication is required, including engine and transmission mounts, tailshaft, sump and exhaust, along with a customised wiring loom. As you can see, the stack gets a bit tall and could interfere with headers. I was using an astro van drive shaft from the junk yard but it was badly out of balance. $59.99. Throughout my fascination with cars, I have built relationships with a key set of industry experts. The Donor Car Method One easy way to do a basic V8 swap is to purchase a donor car at the same time as you purchase your six-cylindered Mustang. I am a die-hard classic car restomod-loving guy. Your best case scenario would be a low-ish mileage RX-8 thats had an engine failure already. I'm not the most knowledgeable on LS1 motors but I believe 01 and 02 are the most desirable of the F-Body LS1s. With all of these options available, theres no reason that you cant have the best of both with your vehicle classic looks with modern-day reliability. Please visit store to shop ICT Billet Crank Pulleys. This is going to be your cheapest and simplest option. Modern GM transmissions use an electron signal (VSS) to determine the speed. The biggest reason for needing an alternator relocation for a very tight fit in the engine compartment of the vehicle recieving the swap. Thankfully there are aftermarket options. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The spacer simply corrects this geometry by bolting between the flexplate and the crankshaft flange, eliminating the need for a custom piece. Oh, and factory truck serpentine systems won't work with car-type intake manifolds; you've been warned. The advantages and disadvantages are fairly obvious. I dont recommend trying this on your own, maybe thats just me? There will probably be at least one shop in your town thats done a Chevy truck LS swap before, so if you ever get stuck youll have the option to have someone come bail you out. Obviously, this is the cheapest way to go as well. This will also offer you the I plan on installing a Walbro in-tank fuel pump that will put out enough pressure to supply the fuel system on an LS engine. There are different sizes of fittings all tailored to your needs. Just carefully drill and tap a 1/8-inch pipe hole in the top of the pump. Feel free to Contact Us if you have any questions! I get it, why am I putting an oil pan in the definitive guide to an LS engine swap? I too second the Camaro over the Corvette option. Why is this? Display as a link instead, See link to shop ICT Billet LSA Accessories. Luckily, there are tons of companies out there making LS swap kits for everything from a first-gen F-body to a Mazda Miata.. One of the most misunderstood components is identifying what engine block you actually have. Buy It Now for only: $67.12. Alot of customers opt to have the snouts ported by machine shops and pick up some good horsepower with them! Classic muscle car looks with modern muscle car power; its a match made in heaven. This is the route Im going with my Suburban project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Theres an LS swap kit out there for virtually any combination that youd like to put together. The clean-sheet design had a deep-skirted block with 6-bolt mains that would be carried throughout the lineup, as well as a new firing order (1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3) and high-flowing, 15-degree cathedral port aluminum heads to top it off. December 12, 2010 in Gen III & IV Chevy V8Z Tech Board. This is the same direction I am planning on moving in, although I don't know about the 6 speed. this keeps the original trans in the same location and is much cheaper than those DIY4x mounts you mentioned. Do you know what MIATA stands for? The 4L80E and 6L80E GM transmissions are fantastic choices as well if your budget allows. I already have most of what it will take for a series 1/t56 swap but as you all know Plans Change! Id recommend choosing a GM truck or SUV (particularly square body or OBS body style,) a GM G-body, GM muscle car (Camaro/Firebird/Chevelle, etc,) a Fox body, SN95 or New Edge Mustang. Then use this kit and find a donor engine. Please refer to the guide below for a few visible differences between the Generation 3 and Generation 4 engines. After the engine is in the car and the cooling system is installed, the next step is to hook up the gauges. Please refer to the guide below to see the differences and the ICT Billet parts needed. Below in this guide are the torque specs of LS based engines. Currently, several aftermarket oil pan options exist. Holley LS LS Engine Swap One of the most popular LS swap recipients today is the Chevy C10 pickup. One is to use a transmission that came behind an LS engine from the factory, typically a 4L60E or a 4L80E. If we could find the guy at GM that decided to standardize the back of the LS block to the same basic bolt pattern of an older GM engine, we would buy him a six-pack. However, all five can be honed to 3.89-inches to use LS1 or LS6 pistons. Youll effectively more than double the stock power in this vehicle with an LS engine swap. As a LS swap candidate, the first-gen BRZ is among the best. Best donor vehicle for LS swap? Did not rupture the gas tank or deploy the airbags. The best bet on your end will be to find a craigslist example with some upgrades (coilovers, brakes, bushings, etc.) My first classic car was a 1967 Mustang and I now focus my passion entirely on Restomods which are restored and modified classic cars. An LS-swapped BMW M3 is going to be very similar to the LS-swapped Porsche 944. Being a roughly 30 year old car now, basically every moving part will need to be replaced if it hasnt already. There is a company here selling motor mounts to swap the Gen3 LS engines into an FZJ80 series. See all 26 photos. Now there is nothing wrong with that, but usually we see customers wanting to hide as much wiring as possible. While these two cams may not be ideal for all combinations, they will deliver the most top end power compared to other factory cams. These are a rare find in a junkyard, but can sometimes be found as a take-out engine from a build (though not cheap). These adaptor harnesses are handy if you are trying to make an LS you acquire with a harness you already have. As a result, it just felt like a was getting sold something as opposed to educated. One of the downfalls of LS swapping a car with a low hood profile like a BMW or 240SX is that it stock truck intake from a 4.8, 5.3 or 6.0L truck engine wont fit under the hood. Ive taken a 6.0 l from a 2001 2500. I recently purchased a 98 camaro to be One other Gen IV worth mentioning is the group of L92-headed 6.0L engines used in trucks as well as the Pontiac G8 GT and Chevrolet Caprice. 911 handling is literally world class, and youll have a fast Porsche once all is said and done. They come from the factory with TBI, so a simple fuel pump swap is all thats need to get the fuel system LS ready. Powerglide, TH350, TH400, 200R4, 700R4, you name it; and if it bolts to a Gen 1 small- or big-block then chances are it will bolt to your LS. Integrating air conditioning to your swapped vehicle has never been easier. Ultimate-craigslist-car-buying-cheat-sheet, Best Sports Cars Under 10k (In the 2022 Used Car Market). and yes, without seeing it, its impossible to tell what it would be worth. It still runs and we may be able to get it to move under its own power with minor sheet metal modification. An LS engine swap can be much more straightforward than other engines. The car and Corvette systems are both tucked up close to the block and will fit in most conversions. Pasted as rich text. Welcome to The LS Swap Guide presented by ICT Billet! The difference between these heads are simple, the amount of cfm the heads can flow determine how efficient they are and how much power they can handle. Some people like to use the older GM TH350, TH400, or 700R4 transmissions. If it doesnt have it already, throw on some initial D stickers and start tearing up your local drift events. Dec 13, 2014. Rod bolts, on the other hand, have been known to fail, especially on engines that see sustained high rpm. A donor car What engine is best for an LS swap? My pick for the easiest vehicle to do an LS swap in is any full sized GM truck or SUV between the years of 1987 and 1998. Most people I spoke with highly recommend the GM 4L60E transmission over a traditional 3-speed automatic. This swap is very popular, so youll have plenty of resources to help you when you run into problems. It read cam timing directly off of the back of the cam. Also undamaged front end parts, fenders, lights, etc are generally desirable as well I think. Ive learned many people looking to purchase a used LS engine usually opt for a 5.3L or 6.0L. Be smart. Screw the haters though, because this generation of 996 was plagued with the IMS bearing issue that, while a bit overblown by the Porsche community, did take a toll on a great many 911s. Please see guide below and get some good information and hopefully help you make a decision on which oil pan you would like to use in your swap. Whichever need you have for fueling ICT Billet creates spacers and harness adapters that allow you to use pretty much any combination you can think of. Here, you can see the fitting at work feeding pressure to an aftermarket mechanical gauge. See guide below for measurements. They provide the spark to your spark plugs by a signal from your Engine Control Module (ECM). When doing an LS swap, you have three options in integrating the engine wiring harness successfully. You'll find this on every 5.3L or 4.8L truck engine. However, these transmissions require a flexplate adapter to work with the LS series flexplate. At some point, I plan on upgrading to a 4L80E to get the overdrive which will help my fuel economy but initially Im going to keep the turbo 400. A friend of mine has offered me his mint 2002 Camaro SS 6 speed. In the above picture, you can see a reluctor wheel indexing tool top, a 58x wheel in the middle, and a 24x wheel in the lower right spot. For nearly 30 years, I've had a fascination with cars. Same Part# 551577-3 is same bracket system but for a Truck engine with stock crank pulley. The first gauge to consider is the speedometer. The spacers are for non-LS transmissions. However, not every oil pan will fit your particular car. Unless you have a team to work 20 hour days and help you reassemble the vehicle, dont start your project by removing every nut and bolt and stripping your vehicle down to the frame. question, the answer here is "the one you can afford," Seriously, there are dozens of options here. Getting all of the components of your swap to work together is sometime tough. Keep in mind the GM AC compressor won't work with most aftermarket AC systems. Some will want a full length tray, while others will want a shorter "F-body" style. We'll cover the difference between Gen III and IV engines another time, but for now just be aware that although parts are physically interchangeable between all generations and variations - the electronics are different. With only a 4 cylinder available, it lacked the street cred of other cars that were more powerful for much less money, even in the 944s turbocharged guise. A vehicle that has all the sports car trappings, with an engine that is prone to grenade-ing itself. Morris, Illinois. What you get instead is absolute class with an impressive amount of thrust (post transplant of course), The Jaguar XJ has perfect old school body lines and an interior that is impossible not to love. But it is critical that you know what you have, so you can buy the right parts to get it swapped into your car. You have a bunch of room in the hood so you wont have to work quite as hard to get all the wiring dialed in (ever work in an overly crowded engine bay?). Simply remove it and use center adapter fitting (from Autometer), and you'll have a 1/8-inch pipe port perfect for a sensor. Non-Pro-Tip. This comes in handy when you have an application that needs a little more fueling but you do not want to spend a thousand bucks on some injectors. Dont count out GMs cast units either. Buy It Now for only: $59.99. Well, these are definitely required for the LS engine swap. Without detonation or some other failure, they typically hold up well with moderate nitrous or boost. ICT Billet uses these measurements to design our powersteering bracket kits. If your donor vehicle has a drive-by-wire throttle, get the throttle pedal assembly and TAC module (if applicable) from the same vehicle as well. If you are planning to use a factory camshaft with a cathedral headed LS engine, the later LS6 is usually considered the top choice at .551/.551-inch lift, 204/218 degrees of duration at .050 and a 117.5 LSA. 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