LS1/T56 into a 2ndGen Trans Am: lot of questions

[radback]

Hi,
I would like to put a LS1/T56 engine+gearbox into a 2gen Trans AM the easiest and cheapest way.
But there is not much infos on the web about this. (a lot for first gen).
So I've got a lot of questions:

Which LS1 engine is the best for this swap?
(I think I better go with the Camaro/T/A +2000 and removing A/C)

- what is the best motor/gearbox mount kit?
I need a perfect fit bolt-on kit. Are ATS or BRP good enough?
(not the same price)

-same question for hydraulic clutch kit?

-Best harness at best price?

- driveshaft length and yoke; Can I keep the original ones? Or Do I need to shorten the driveshaft? (original gearbox is a TH350)

-Which headers will fit?

-Shifter location? I heard the T56 shifter is not at the proper location.

-What gauges needed to work properly?

-Same questions for heater hoses and radiator?

-How many days to perform this swap with the good kits?

(maybe I forgot something...)

Thanks for your help :-)

[WS6]

Check the sticky at the top of this forum about which swaps worked and what parts were used. There are a few 2nd gen cars on the list.

You may be able to save a great deal of money by using an iron block engine from a truck versus an aluminum engine. They are the same and a T56 will bolt to them no problem. They also cost a lot less over here.

I can't be of much help beyond that as I haven't started the swap on my TA yet. I hope others will chime in with more specific answers for you. Good luck.

[radback]

Check the sticky at the top of this forum about which swaps worked and what parts were used. There are a few 2nd gen cars on the list.

I did. And I'm still reading a lot of LS1 swap articles.
But I don't find precise answers to my questions...

[cdoggy81]

I'm in the same boat. I got a lot of good info from the guys here. I'll pull up my notes & try to post for you.

[joeljet]

also check over on ls1tech.com in conversions and hybrids and nastyz28.com

[Lowend]

Check over at www.nastyz28.com user MikeM79 did this with a 2nd gen camaro not too long ago

[Dookie]

THis subject confuses me , i had talked to several people that tell me all the stuff that had to be done , and it sounds pretty extensive , have talked to a couple that say it is very easy , but kind of shrugged them off .
Was walking around the MOultrie Ga swap meet last weekend and stumbled across a guy with an Ls1 bolted into a El Camino , started talking to him about it , and he said it was really simple , cut and dry . He said he got a wiring schematic, and wired it up hisself with no problems , he built his own mounts , and talked to a guy at summit that sold him a fuel pump to mount to one of his rear frame rails.
The install was very clean , the car ran and responded perfect . I asked him what sensors he had to bypass , and what codes he had to turn off , and he looked at me like i was crazy and answered none....
Can anyone else chime in and elaborate a little more on the subject .
I have printed out every bit of info that i have came across on here as well as several other places for tips and tricks , and his approach really blows me away..

[Zedzag]

All your answers can be found over at www.ls1tech.com in the conversions and hybrids forum. A LOT of guys have done this swap into a 2nd gen camaro or firebird over there but you have to remember there are a few ways to tackle each issue and only you will know which way you want to go.

[Zedzag]

To answer you original post:

1) Best LS1 would be 99-02...stay away from a 98 or older, the 02s have the better LS6 intake.

2) Best mount kit would be tuff and I think it all depends where you want the engine to sit. You can buy a kit from one vendor or mix and match components with others. I myself used S&P mounts and they put he engine in the best place IMO. ATS and BRP are also excellent choices.

3)Hydraulic kit - use the factory hydraulics that come with the donor engine/trans. All you need is a firewall bracket to mount it and a few pedal mods. ATS makes a really nice t-56 install kit which looks like the best quality aftermarket setup and comes with the firewall bracket. hydraulics, and trans crossmember.

4)Best harness would be having Speartech rework the factory one or if you like wiring, mod it yourself.

5)Driveshaft will have to be shortened for sure.

6)Most guys modify a set of 4th gen pacsetter headers to fit. These are cheap and work good. I think the issue is drivers side collector is angled into the front subframe so it needs to be cit and straightened.

7) the shifter location somewhat depends on how far forward or back the engine sits. You're gonna have to do some homework and mocking up to see where everything sits which the mounts will affect as well.

The rest of your questions can be answered in much more detail at LS1tech.com or at the sticky mentioned here. A lot of the info on wiring, fuel delivery, guages, cooling, codes to be deleted are very similar between 1st and 2nd gens.

Good luck! It's a lot of "fun" but worth every penny.

[cdoggy81]

01 & 02 had the ls6 intake but don't let that deter you. You can buy them used for ~$300. I would look for the cheapest, lowest mileage 98-02 F-Body LS1 T-56 combo. You could also go with a LQ4 set up (iron block ~40lbs heavier) off a truck or SUV.

[radback]

2) Best mount kit would be tuff and I think it all depends where you want the engine to sit. You can buy a kit from one vendor or mix and match components with others. I myself used S&P mounts and they put he engine in the best place IMO. ATS and BRP are also excellent choices.
Someone here mention the BRP ones put the gearbox a little lower than the crossmember. What about the other kits?


3)Hydraulic kit - use the factory hydraulics that come with the donor engine/trans. All you need is a firewall bracket to mount it and a few pedal mods. ATS makes a really nice t-56 install kit which looks like the best quality aftermarket setup and comes with the firewall bracket. hydraulics, and trans crossmember.
The firewall bracket is intended to use on <74 2nd gen only (why?)
Same for their trans crossmember.



6)Most guys modify a set of 4th gen pacsetter headers to fit. These are cheap and work good. I think the issue is drivers side collector is angled into the front subframe so it needs to be cit and straightened.
Is there a better solution than modifying the Pacesetter headers?
(Too bad to ruin a brand new ceramic coating)
What about some Hookers LS1 made for first gen?


7) the shifter location somewhat depends on how far forward or back the engine sits. You're gonna have to do some homework and mocking up to see where everything sits which the mounts will affect as well.
I plan to use the automatic console, like Year one did on their cars.
It seems to me the shifter location should be at nearly the same place as the auto shifter hole when using OE T56 (not the case with aftermarket t56)

[DB Z28]

For Headers I,m going to try on my ls-7 powered is 1 7/8 headers by american racing from a GTO 06 same as a fourth gen but both pipes go stright back and set a wee bit closer to the floor pan.

[[email protected]]

We are planning a 70' TA clone, with an N.A. LS?, and OD trans, some time around Feb. We are just waiting for the car to be painted by the resto shop before finalizing the drivetrain details.

[cdoggy81]

"We are planning a 70' TA clone, with an N.A. LS?, and OD trans"
DOUGH!!!! I'm building the EXACT same car but I wanted to be the 1st to do so :( I'm still in the early stages but I will be contacting you... :)

[70bird]

Check out the sticky (known LSX combos) I just posted yesterday. It's the only 2nd gen/ t56
combo I saw there. Hope it helps.

Happy new year to all!

PM sent
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img88.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p4290022ca4.jpg)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img201.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lowresfirebird037ct3.jpg)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img201.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lowresfirebird037ct3.jpg)

[WS6]

Thanks for adding that info 70. car's looking good. Got any full car shots so we can see the progress?

[70bird]

Sure, She's not too pretty yet, lot's of work to go!

Here's what I started with:Nice color combo eh?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img182.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1190102ej2.jpg)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img245.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1190106bu5.jpg)

And as of yesterday

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img140.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lowresfirebird052jq5.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lowresfirebird047mi7.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lowresfirebird045hh8.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img146.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lowresfirebird032ju2.jpg)

[cdoggy81]

My new best friend!!! I will be sending you a PM as well :)

[WS6]

she may not be pretty but why do you need pretty when you've got badass? Looking good. Thanks for sharing.

[70bird]

WS6, Thanks for the compliment.
As my Mom used to tell me about women: " it's the heart that counts" Yeah right!

cdoggy, I have a "Pontiac" problem too since I started this "heart" transplant I get no love from my "Poncho purist" friends! :slap:

I guess I just completely hi-jacked this post so, Sorry radback but I did bring it back from the almost dead.

Cheers, Mark

[cdoggy81]

Got ya :) I still have a few "ORIGINAL" cars to keep those guys happy too...

[maldo]

:twothumbs