View Full Version : 89 Trans Am ls1 swap under $2500
yevgenievich
05-11-2009, 12:56 PM
I have 1989 Trans Am that that i started with ls1 swap. My goal is to keep it under $2500. So far i'm right near the 2k with swap mounts, motor+trans, fuel pump and fpr. Motor is out of 98 z28 camaro with 4l60e trans. Keeping it an auto because of the budget. I will be getting the trans crossmember modded next weekend becuse it needs to be moved 2" back for the new trans. Motor is in but still need to figure out the fuel and the wiring.
1971CHEVELLE
05-11-2009, 01:21 PM
good looking car
If I was to build a third gen(which I do like very much) I'd do the exact same thing. Good luck meeting your budget goals.
Code Red
05-11-2009, 04:26 PM
nice man
CruizinKev
05-11-2009, 07:54 PM
nice :twothumbs
srh3trinity
05-11-2009, 08:49 PM
I would like to hear more about the swap or if you have documented it somewhere else then point me in the direction. I have limited funds currently and I am thinking about building up a third gen just due to their potential and the fact that the stock suspension has a lot of aftermarket items available. I am thinking about a 5.3l or 6.0l truck motor and a BMR tubular crossmember with the provisions for the LSX motor.
yevgenievich
06-14-2009, 07:51 PM
well, i don't have a lot of updates but at least some. I took my stock wiring harness out and need to run new wires for the fans and fuel pump. I am swapping to electric inline fuel pump and already took the stock one out of the gas tank. Because i had to take the rear end out to get to the gas tank i waited until i got a hold of 4th gen rear end with 3.42 gears and disk brakes then did them both at once. I had to use 4th gen torque arm as well. In order to mount the auto trans had to modify the trans cross member to move it 2" back. I also made a steam tube adapter to go into one of the hoses running into the radiator. it has to be hooked up in order for the motor to live. I still need to hook the fuel lines and splice about 15 wires to get her running. I've been keeping more up to date info on thirdgen.org site in the lsx swap section. Now pics:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/144-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/Image068-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/Image071-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/Image007-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/Image096-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/Image099-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/Image106-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/Image108-1.jpg
nightrunner
06-14-2009, 07:55 PM
That's a LT1 not a LS1...
yevgenievich
06-14-2009, 08:06 PM
that's my old TPI motor sitting in the truck ready to be hauled off into storage. LS1 is sitting under the hood, which is why now the front end is sitting almost 2" higher
nightrunner
06-14-2009, 08:08 PM
ahh, my mistake.
I love the project you have going there.
78 Type-LT
06-14-2009, 08:08 PM
That's a LT1 not a LS1...
No...that's TPI & it's his tha motor he took out..
69LT1Nova
06-15-2009, 08:54 AM
Some people just don't know the difference between a TPI, LT1, LS1, Ford modular motor, or a Honda engine. :hammer:
Hey, where is the carburmarator? :hah: Duhhhhhh.....
69LT1Nova
06-15-2009, 08:57 AM
Anywhoo, back to the thread.
I love the ghetto "garage"! Good news is, there is more than likely easy access to a dumpster to throw that TPI into. LOL!
Black-Jacket
06-15-2009, 05:56 PM
i know someone in texas needing a tpi intake if you want to sell yours
yevgenievich
06-15-2009, 09:58 PM
I have decided to keep original motor,trans and wiring harness. The engine bay is already looking better with old harness out.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/Image119-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/Image120-1.jpg
yevgenievich
06-16-2009, 06:47 PM
got another small update. It's not running yet but the fuel pump is in. It was about $30 in fittings and $20 for the hose to hook up electric fuel pump.
Living in the apartment complex means that whatever car i am working on becomes a portable storage unit.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/173-1.jpg
and the fuel pump is installed. The fuel pump is just going to be activated by a switch, i am not going to be using the factory relay for it. The hose is using the slip on fitting and is rated up to 250psi with one connector that i had to use at about 150psi.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/180-1.jpg
zman1969
06-17-2009, 06:00 AM
yevgenievich, why are you moving the eng/trans back2" ?? i would think it would stay in the same location- so drveshaft/trq arm wont need to be modded- oil pan clearance maybe?
yevgenievich
06-17-2009, 06:43 AM
the engine is not moved back 2", the mount on the 4l60e is two inches back compared to 700r4.
Phishfud
06-17-2009, 02:48 PM
I have so thought about doing this swap in my GTA. Looks like a great build!
zman1969
06-18-2009, 10:55 AM
the engine is not moved back 2", the mount on the 4l60e is two inches back compared to 700r4.
OK now makes sense i "assumed since a 4l60e was a electronic version of the 700r4 that that was tha same - ya learn something new everday! good luck with your build
69LT1Nova
06-18-2009, 11:03 AM
OK now makes sense i "assumed since a 4l60e was a electronic version of the 700r4 that that was tha same - ya learn something new everday! good luck with your build
It depends if you mount the tranny using the case mount location or the tailshaft mount. Check it out... this crossmember is designed for a 700R4, but worked for my 4L60E perfectly (mounted to the tranny case):
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/PICT0624-1.jpg
Check out the mounts on the tailshaft:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/PICT0605-1.jpg
PonchoJohn
06-18-2009, 11:11 AM
OK now makes sense i "assumed since a 4l60e was a electronic version of the 700r4 that that was tha same - ya learn something new everday! good luck with your build
As did I. Hmmmm......
BMR Tech
07-07-2009, 05:45 AM
I am trying to figure out why the crossmember required modification if the motor was not moved rearward? The 4L60E,4L65E, and 4L70E are all just electronic versions of the 700R4 and have the trans mount located in the same position (at least in F-Body transmissions). Our tubular K-member designed for the LS swap locates the motor correctly to allow the retention of the factory crossmember (as long as you are using a 4L60E, 6 speed requires a new conversion crossmember). Not disputing what you had to do, just curious about why it was necessary when we have never run into this problem before.....
SatisTraction
07-07-2009, 06:04 AM
nice swap!! why would you remove the intank pump in favor of the external pump. that is a step in the wrong direction. the intank is quieter and more reliable, not to mention stock!!
MonzaRacer
07-07-2009, 07:33 PM
While you dont have factory relay controlling fuel pump , just dont forget to run a relay to power the pump or your pump will burn up,,, period.
Factory relay should be more than adequate to power the pump and all a switch would have to do is ground the relay if properly wired. but dont forget to tun a relay or pump controller of some sort.
yevgenievich
07-18-2009, 08:29 PM
I am trying to figure out why the crossmember required modification if the motor was not moved rearward? The 4L60E,4L65E, and 4L70E are all just electronic versions of the 700R4 and have the trans mount located in the same position (at least in F-Body transmissions). Our tubular K-member designed for the LS swap locates the motor correctly to allow the retention of the factory crossmember (as long as you are using a 4L60E, 6 speed requires a new conversion crossmember). Not disputing what you had to do, just curious about why it was necessary when we have never run into this problem before.....
After searching online everybody who had swapped to ls1/4l60e combo had to move the stock crossmember 2". The motor is not moved back and in the correct position and the torque arm mounts with no problem to the transmission and rear end. As mentioned above it is possible that there is different case mount for 4l60e that would allow it to be mounted to stock crossmember with no modifications needed.
yevgenievich
07-18-2009, 08:36 PM
While you dont have factory relay controlling fuel pump , just dont forget to run a relay to power the pump or your pump will burn up,,, period.
Factory relay should be more than adequate to power the pump and all a switch would have to do is ground the relay if properly wired. but dont forget to tun a relay or pump controller of some sort.
What is the reason for the pump to burn up if not using a relay? I was going to wire it up to something that gets power only when ignition is on. Also the plan is to get the car running next saturday. Still have a lot of things to finish but it's close. The biggest problem i have right now is the exhaust as i don't think i can drive it to the shop with just manifolds.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/IMG_0461-1.jpg
and all the mess under the dash, still trying to figure out what wires go where. Totally unexpected was the rust hole right under the carpet. There is no rust anywhere else on the car except the spot under the heater core:crying:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/IMG_0462-1.jpg
yevgenievich
12-11-2009, 06:37 PM
swap almost finished, have tps and map sensor error codes and torque converter does not lock up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoWjx1tXoh4
my fuel pump had to be redone and then i figured out that the port labels were reversed on the original unit.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/12/1311-1.jpg
picture of the intake i put together. Eventually i will cut a hole where the battery used to be to make for an actual cold air intake.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/12/Image0421-1.jpg
need some drop springs
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/12/IMG_0512_small-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/12/Image020-1.jpg
congrats on making it this far. Did you manage to stay under $2500 like you intended?
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