WOW... LS1 conversions keep getting cheaper!

[TA219]

Has anyone seen / used this kit? I found it while messing around on e-bay and was shocked at the price!! I spent more on my oil pan than this entire kit costs!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/67-68-69-camaro-firebird-bolt-on-LS1-conversion-kit-ls2_W0QQitemZ260207810265QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item2 60207810265&_trksid=p3756.m20.l1116

Thoughts

[cjrolke]

if i am reading that right the oil pan is seperate

[Project69]

Yea the oil pan is seperate.

[rohrt]

I think your right. That is a little deceptive.

"The LH8 Oil Pan is sold separately in out eBay store for 249.99 for the complete oil pan kit"

[Samckitt]

Last line of the auction says this:

The LH8 Oil Pan is sold separately in out eBay store for 249.99 for the complete oil pan kit

Maybe it was added since you saw it Wayne.

[bigvegan]

Does that transmission cross-member look a little sketchy to anyone else?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/2288_12JPG-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/25d8_12JPG-1.jpg

[trapin]

It's still not a bad deal. My conversion mounts and crossmember came from S&P and my oil pan came from AutoKraft. Total cost came to $750. That kit right there will cost you $625. Not a bad savings. However...You'll need to ask them what headers can be used.

In regards to the crossmember....I think it looks better than the S&P. The way the S&P is configured it's right in the path of the exhaust. That one looks like it tucks out of the way.

[Bow Tie 67]

But it looks flimsy. ( pinched ends? )

[derekf]

I'm sorry, but my initial thought when looking at that crossmember was that somewhere, some kid was missing his swingset.

I'm sure it's better made than that, but it's still the initial thought I had.

[69TAPoser]

I'm sorry, but my initial thought when looking at that crossmember was that somewhere, some kid was missing his swingset.

I'm sure it's better made than that, but it's still the initial thought I had.

That is so funny, I am no structural engineer, but I had the SAME EXACT thought!

Phil

[RaceMan]

Is it me or does that weld not look too good ??

[barraza]

I think it still looks expensive. Half the parts in the picture aren't part of the $375. So all you are really getting is the motor mounts and a crossmember that looks like it was bent out of exhaust pipe. Also since there doesn't appear to be any setback in the trans crossmember, that engine must be sitting pretty far foward. You could probably do Tylers crossmember and make your own mounting plates for just as cheap, and it would look a lot better.

[Charley Lillard]

Isn't a big block 69 Camaro T400 crossmember also a pinched end ?

[Bow Tie 67]

Isn't a big block 69 Camaro T400 crossmember also a pinched end ?

Yes, but it looks like the GM is a much larger tube. ( its tube is wide enough to pick up both bolt holes when flattened )

[trapin]

I think the pinched ends are what's throwing you guys off. I doubt it's made out of exhaust pipe. We're going to need to see some better pictures of it.

[TA219]

well nevermind then, I thought it was a hell of a deal b/c of the oil pan, i didnt realize it wasnt a part of the package.... thats what i get for skimming over it too quickly and then posting!!

[protour_chevelle]

the BRP kit I first started with has the exact same style tranny crossmember. it was of the same thickness of the stock style if not thicker. From my memory the pipe was 1/8" to 3/16" wall. Plenty thick. Double up the ends and your looking at 3/8"s thick. Pretty gnarly.

[70bird]

the BRP kit I first started with has the exact same style tranny crossmember. it was of the same thickness of the stock style if not thicker. From my memory the pipe was 1/8" to 3/16" wall. Plenty thick. Double up the ends and your looking at 3/8"s thick. Pretty gnarly.

X2 on the quality. Pretty beefy piece.

I bought this stuff 3 years ago and paid 460.00 w/ shipping for the crossmember and m/mounts. definitely getting cheaper with prices coming down on motors too.

[MrQuick]

well nevermind then, I thought it was a hell of a deal b/c of the oil pan, i didnt realize it wasnt a part of the package.... thats what i get for skimming over it too quickly and then posting!!

its not a bad kit for the price. We have no idea of the tubing thickness but if you ever worked with swedged end tubing it is quite strong and this should suffice for its usage. Look at what the 4th gen Camaros use for x members.

[jkwalkercchs]

that crossmember doesnt look to rigid to me but idk it my be real thick and not welded by chinease laborers

[BonzoHansen]

The LH8 pan looks awful low, like it would be below the xmbr. Hmm.

None of the BHP stuff looks high quality.

[matdean]

This guy is over on LS1 Tech. Hes not too far from me, but I can use the crossmember from several venders thats made for the 700r4. I have a 63 Biscayne ( Impala ) Wagon and have been thinking of doing the LSx swap.

I am not sure if the 4l80e will work with the same crossmember though.

[MarkM66]

How stout does a trans crossmember need to be? The motor mounts are responsible for stopping engine torque rotation.

[trapin]

Good point.

[xssive99]

Crossmember needs some better welding, but thats an easy fix

[deviousz28]

How stout does a trans crossmember need to be? The motor mounts are responsible for stopping engine torque rotation.

Your right.

Some of Phil's (BRP) pics don't show what the final product looks like. I know he takes pics during the mockups, and never updates the website, or ebay ads when the final part is released.

Scott

[BRPMuscleRods]

Hi this is Phil Brewer from BRP Hot Rods this is my kit that’s being discussed. Just to clarify a couple things like Scott said those are mock up photos showing fitment in cars not the finished product. The photo that’s got you all buzzing is of a cross member that is just tack welded for mock up purposes. These cross members are tucked up close to the body so you can actually clear big tube exhaust systems, I have had these cross members go in cars with over 650HP and never had a problem. All kits are made in the USA at my shop and I have sent out hundreds of these cross members and never had an issue about strength and all motor mounts have a 5 year 50,000 no questions asked warranty. BRP helped start the LS conversions with the 1969 Year One Convertible Camaro that got the cover of Hot Rod BRP builds a quality product with a warranty at a good price with Year One being our biggest distributor. How many magazine cars do the other guys have? The other thing that is not taken into consideration is how much hidden cost to the other kits have? BRP kits are made to fit with the least modifications as possible so that stock accessories fit without having to pay thousands for aftermarket set ups and time consuming frame and trans tunnel mods even with a T-56. Every kit I sell is built off a real car I sell no generic kits so it fits the first time.

The LH8 oil pan looks similar to the truck pan which throws off your but its 2in shorter then it. The link shows it being compared to an F-body oil pan which was to most common LS conversion oil pan. This is a GM pan so it’s the highest quality and you can get and you will not find a LS conversion oil pan close to this price. For 249.99 with any kit you get all new gasket, all new hardware, Pick up tube and wind age tray. Plus it keeps the oil filter on the block so no oil filter relocation kit like most aftermarket pans. To just modify a stock F-body pan it cost over $250 from the other guys not including the Core pan and any gaskets and you get an ugly hacked up pan with less capacity. This pan makes LS conversions a whole lot easier. http://brphotrods.com/Oil%20pan.html

Guys im making these kits so that anyone can throw a LS engine in there car. I have polyurethane bushing and solid mount motor mounts as optional equipment. I can even over engineer the cross member if you want an over the top set up. Here are some additional photos of a finished cross member for that’s about to go out.

If you have any questions just ask I got kits for most GMs from 1955-1996. I just signed up for this site and I will make some post about the various kits I sell this week. I can posy any pictures of any kit I sell during mock up or finished product

I also have some trick adapter kits for the 98-02 Camaro brakes and the first ever bolt in shock relocation kit for the 1967-1981 F-body and 1968-72 X-body

Also im looking for these cars for mock up if any one is close to GA

1965- 1996 B-body impala

Phil Brewer
[email protected]
www.BRPHotRods.com
770-751-0687

[DarkoNova]

That thing still looks like it's at least 2" lower than an F body pan.

Matt

[deviousz28]

That thing still looks like it's at least 2" lower than an F body pan.

Matt

It is. Most swap, and f-body pans are 5-5.5" deep. The alpha pan is 7", but almost all sbc pans are also 7-7.5" deep. The truck pan where I messured is about 8.25". I have not used this pan or mount setup yet, so I can't really provide any feedback.

Yes there more over engineered, costly, and sometimes more eye appealing swap kits, and front subframes available, but I think BRP's goal is to provide a cost efficient way for most garage hot rodders to swap LSx series engines into their older cars. I have used BRP mounts/crossmembers, and brake kits, front subframes, and inboard shock relocation kits on over 10 cars that I have installed LSx swaps into. I have never had a problem. Even when I had clearance problems (4L80e, and I moved the engine further back) I marked up the trans crossmember where it hit, and included pics of where I was trying to install it, and sent it back to BRP. They sent me a new trans crossmember built to my specs no charge. Not trying to be a cheerleader, but with customer service like that its hard not to be.

Scott

[DarkoNova]

It is. Most swap, and f-body pans are 5-5.5" deep. The alpha pan is 7", but almost all sbc pans are also 7-7.5" deep. The truck pan where I messured is about 8.25". I have not used this pan or mount setup yet, so I can't really provide any feedback.

Yes there more over engineered, costly, and sometimes more eye appealing swap kits, and front subframes available, but I think BRP's goal is to provide a cost efficient way for most garage hot rodders to swap LSx series engines into their older cars. I have used BRP mounts/crossmembers, and brake kits, front subframes, and inboard shock relocation kits on over 10 cars that I have installed LSx swaps into. I have never had a problem. Even when I had clearance problems (4L80e, and I moved the engine further back) I marked up the trans crossmember where it hit, and included pics of where I was trying to install it, and sent it back to BRP. They sent me a new trans crossmember built to my specs no charge. Not trying to be a cheerleader, but with customer service like that its hard not to be.

Scott

I don't doubt that they build nice stuff, I just don't see how they can expect someone to use a pan that deep. Granted, I haven't seen a muscle car with an LS1 in it up close, so I don't know how a stock F-body pan would fit, but I'd imagine that an extra 2" couldn't be a good thing.

Matt

[cdoggy81]

subscribing

[t/a-speedfreak]

Did anyone figure out which headers can be used with this kit?

As for the kit itself, this is the type I am looking for. I don't want to break the bank doing a ls1 swap. I also don't want to mix and match parts, hoping things will fit.

[BRPMuscleRods]

Stainless works built its headers off of my LS conversion and most ls conversions will fit on the first gen I have had my customers install just about every brand going.

These kits will work with the aftermarket LS conversion pans that have the rear sump so if your worried about clearance just run one of these style pans I know Moroso and auto Kraft make some great looking products. The LH8 pan is higher up then a small block pan and sits about ½ up then the stock location of a traditional small block.

Also for the guys who want the high performance kits BRP developed a new great looking poly kit using energy suspensions bushings that is simply the best on the market. This is the prototype version for the first gen the final version will be fully cad coated along with the frame bracket and cross member I will have productions version ready for every kit in 2 weeks. The new motor mounts come with a lifetime warranty and are rebuild able units for only $100 over the cost of the base conversion kit. More photos and details very soon

patent pending on this new style conversion kit

Just call me if there is any questions at
770-751-0687

Im becoming a sponsor on this site as well and will be offering a giveaway contest very soon to the members of the forum.

Thanks
Phil

[cdoggy81]

Phil,
Good stuff as usual! I need to call you later this week.

[Chad-1stGen]

Cool

[t/a-speedfreak]

Very nice info.. I hope to find a lsx/t56 combo for a reasonalbe price so I can start on the path to reliability.

[GTOnate]

Hey I am in Florida but will drive my 1980 z-28 up to see you if you need a mock up car... I like dealing with companies here in the south myself. More integrity IMO

[BRPMuscleRods]

Nate, I already that kit mocked up and ready to go, just call me ill be glad to help you out and make sure you get everything you need and answer any questions you might have. I have almost every car I sell a kit for on my property so that when I sell I kit I know its going to fit . I can send some images on the 2nd gen kit if you would like I plan to post here with clearance shots and info about each kit as soon as I get everything ready for production.

I have kits for the following versions in ether base form or high performance version. Each kit is built off a real car so it fits unlike the generic kits that cause a whole lot of unnecessary extra work. The high end line will be ready for all models in about 2 weeks

1955-1957 Tri five and it clears stock steering perfectly
1958-1964 B Body
1962-1967 Chevy 2 nova
1964-1972 A body forconvertibles el Caminos & hard tops(each have a unique cross member)
1967-1969 F-Body and 1968-1972 X-body
1970-1981 F-body
1963-1981 Corvette (this is a fixed motor mount that uses stock frame mount)
1978-1981 G-Body
1982-1988 G-Body
1955-1987 GM truck

I am looking for these cars to mock up in GA and and can cut a good deal if any one is near Atlanta with these cars

1965-1996 B Body impala
1973-1977 A body
Any other suggestions???


Phil

[ferk_0331]

I was planning on fabing my own mounts but I think I might buy these to reduce down time

[zman1969]

that crossmember doesnt look to rigid to me but idk it my be real thick and not welded by chinease laborers
my BRP trans crosmembers I've had look nice (had an auto and then BRP was kind enough to swap me out for 6 speed) quality is good and they are GREAT to deal with!! :twothumbs

also in response to this:
Most swap, and f-body pans are 5-5.5" deep. The alpha pan is 7", but almost all sbc pans are also 7-7.5" deep. The truck pan where I messured is about 8.25".
Keep in mond that the LSX are deep skirted blocks I.E. the pan starts out lower than typical SBC that pan mounts almost flush with the crank centerline. :pat:


now if I ever get mine back from my bodyman.......