Can you truely " Plug and Play"?

[jlwdvm]

I am at the point with my 69 Firebird project that I am trying to decide which way to go with the powertrain. The suspension will be all RideTech stage 2 with coil-overs and I'm thinking about going with a Currie 9" and a 6-speed. I just installed the stock subframe after welding seams and painting. I am looking at the 525hp LS3 from GM that Scroggins Dickey has. I know I will need a new radiator with electric fans, as well as a new fuel system. If I get the correct ECU when I purchase the motor and the right accessory drive, will it be as straight forward as bolting up motor mount adapters to the motor and subframe and installing the motor? Run power to the ECU and fuel pump and turn the key? What oil pan and accessory drive would work best? I crunched the numbers, and the LS swap (including motor, fuel tank, ecu, radiator, etc) is almost exactly the same as having a 525hp Pontiac 455 built by Kaufmann Racing (for the turn-key motor alone). The car will probably be driven more on the road course than the road to give you an idea of where the project is heading. Thanks.

[jlcustomz]

As far as wiring, whether a properly modified factory harness, or a properly made new harness, it's honestly not harder than wiring a stereo receiver to connect what you need to the vehicle. My modified harness from 11 years ago had 8 hookup wires. Get a harness setup for the 6 speed, so it will control reverse lockout. Factory trans will have speed sensor to signal computer & signal an electronic speedo. (There are options to run a mechanical speedo). I'd recommend all autometer or other quality aftermarket gauges.Tach will be set to 4 cyl for ls engines. Items such as fans can either be controlled by computer, or separately as I did. Some people option to run a relay between fuel pump output & tank and/ or an inertia shutoff switch(usually Ford part).

You will spend a little time connecting harness to engine sensors, injectors, & coils, but it's pretty simple also actually .So yes, I call it plug & play & enjoy.

[71RS/SS396]

If you are going to seriously track the car and use a wet sump, I would highly recommend you use the Moroso 20143 pan or the Autokraft pan since they both use a triangular shaped trap door baffle. You may also want to consider an Accusump as well. LS engines have terrible windage so a good pan is very important to their longevity.

[rickpaw]

I just finished my LS swap, so hopefully you'll find my comments useful. I used PSI harness, so I don't know how that differs from the GM harness. The PSI harness was true plug and play. The connections are: one constant 12V, one ignition on/cranking, and ground. You'll need to wire up a relay for the fuel pump, so I use the relay from PSI fuse block (controlled by the ECU, so it shuts off after 3 seconds if the engine is not running), to trigger a second relay in the trunk for the fuel pump. I also ran an inertia switch to shut off the pump after an impact. So it's short of plug and play. I spent more time plug in the harness and making the run look pretty.

I used DSE LS swap mounts/Dynatech headers. The headers clear everything but they hang really low. I'd use something else. I'm using the Holley accessory drive brackets, and if you have the $$$, I suggest going with VA front runner set up. The VA set up is more compact and make the engine compartment look cleaner. The Holley set up hangs too far to the sides.