1979 camaro Ls conversion

[andy49]

I'm looking to add a Ls motor and tranny to my 1979 camaro, looking for a the best avenue to go.
Is anyone familiar with www.gashufferhotrods.com (http://www.gashufferhotrods.com).
They offer a complete package. Ls motor, tranny, mounts, harness, computer, radiator, fuel kit.
The budget I'm dealing with is 10k.
I know there's some other ticket items:: like lines, hoses, driveshaft, shifter stuff, cold air intake, to name a few.

Thanks, Allan

[mert.celet]

People say good things about Gas Huffer on Tahoe / Yukon forum but i've got no personal experience.
They have a large lineup though. But i think u should also talk to these guys also. Take a really deep look into their website.
http://www.hotrodlane.cc/

Good Luck
Mert

[andrewb70]

I'm looking to add a Ls motor and tranny to my 1979 camaro, looking for a the best avenue to go.
Is anyone familiar with www.gashufferhotrods.com (http://www.gashufferhotrods.com).
They offer a complete package. Ls motor, tranny, mounts, harness, computer, radiator, fuel kit.
The budget I'm dealing with is 10k.
I know there's some other ticket items:: like lines, hoses, driveshaft, shifter stuff, cold air intake, to name a few.

Thanks, Allan

Allan,

You'll need a bigger budget unless you plan on using a junkyard engine.

Holley makes a very nicely engineered engine and trans mounting solution for 2nd gen f-bodies. They also offer headers and a complete exhaust system.

Personally I prefer to use different vendors that I feel offer the best parts.

Andrew

[andy49]

Ok, I did see holleys mounts and headers, I do like them, are there any other venders that you like or have used.
Thanks Allan

[andy49]

I'll check them out. Thanks.

[cpd004]

My experience with Holley: I bought their mid length headers, trans crossmember and engine mounts. Their engine mounts came with a template to locate clamshell mounts onto the frame as my cars original 71 Pontiac mounts would not work. This won't be an issue for you, but I'm just letting you know how it went for me.

I was using an Ls3 and 4L60e. I followed the directions for the mounts and decided to drop the engine down to see how everything would line up per their own template. It was way off and I couldn't find the cause. I contacted their tech support who then told me something was wrong with my frame. I took measurements and compared them to the factory service manual and everything was correct. I called back and the next tech guy told me my frame couldn't have been correct for my year car. I found no evidence of that. I decided to locate the holes for the clamshell mounts myself by first installing the trans crossmember and dropping the motor/trans in. Several months later I was told by one of their reps that they updated the templates after finding they were designed incorrectly. After talking to him about my experience and how I was told the problem was on my end, he blew me off.

Their headers fit perfectly although both have small holes near the collectors and one has an additional small hole near the O2 sensor. I never brought this up to them, but fixed the issues myself.

There were no issues with the trans crossmember other than an included spacer was not mentioned anywhere in the instructions. It took 2 days before anyone at Holley could tell me it's purpose and location.

Their mounts are well built. The headers, I feel should have been better for such a reputable company.

[F-Body International]

Why LS over building what's in the car now is my main question?

LS engines are pushrod motors just like the old Chevy's. The main difference you will find is the symmetrical port layout in the LS style cylinder head but you can also achieve this with a set of heads on most engines. Most of your "junkyard" LS swaps utilize the iron truck blocks which aren't much difference in weight than an old small block. For what you spend on a nice used LS engine, you can get a really nice efi system like Holley HP, FAST XFI, or Big Stuff 3.

Either route you choose, keep the thread going with progress.