My 69 Camaro gets a LS1

[sunkistcamaro]

Im going to be upgrading to a LS1 and 4L60 trans.I came across a good deal on a rolled over 04 GTO with 50,000 miles. My big plans are to swap out everything, Engine, trans, all the harnesses and interior. I already pulled everything out of the GTO and pulled the engine out of my Camaro. The other day I made a set of engine plates out of 1/4" plate steel w/o the motor mount holes. I did this so I can place the engine in the position where I wanted. I decided to place the assembly in just to kill a hour and see what it looked like. It went in like it belonged there.

I know this build is going to take some time but I would like to get car in working order for next summer. Its not going to be a pretty build like Sam's, at least not this year... or so. Im just planning on shaking the bugs out thru 2010. I'll try to keep up with pics and updates. Please feel free to ask any question as I go, I know I'll be asking too.

ref: plate dimensions:
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61421

Im also going to try and keep a $ and time log, just for kicks.

Time spent:
Pull apart 69: 2hrs
Making plates: 1 hr
Rough engine placement: 1hr

Cash spent:
Plates: $18 (Lowes)
Various bolts (SST): $30
Edelbrock headers: $520
Autokraft pan: $400

[sunkistcamaro]

It looks like the stock A/C compressor and alternator don't fit.
I knew the compressor was not going to fit but the alternator... Damm. Time to use the search function!:idea:

[sunkistcamaro]

This is what I found so far.

I put this combo in a 69 Camaro, not done yet though. My 2 cents worth:

Make sure your engine adapter plates and headers work together. I have ATS plates (turned upside down from ATS directions) and Stainless Works headers, I'm told on here that will work with no clearance issues but haven't verified myself yet.

I'm using stock accessories for now, A/C wont fit though, not sure what I'm going to do, probably S&P kit to add A/C to main belt. My alternator hit the subframe a bit but I rotated the backhalf of the case around for clearance, then a little touchup with a grinder and it fit fine. This was done before I flipped the ATS motor plates upside down from their directions.

Good luck,
Erik

ref. post: https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55017&highlight=gto+accessories

[dmc69]

Great details. Thinking of doing the same swap. Keep the info coming!

[sunkistcamaro]

I turned the back side of the alt. (broke a bolt off) and mocked it up.
I needed to cut the frame for a little more room. With the 1/2 moon cut the alt. fits great. I'll post a pic of the cut later after I clean it up and fill with metal.

Stay tuned,
Next I deal with the stock a/c pump. Hopefully soon...

Ref: Lance-W's frame: (great job!)
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showpost.php?p=524170&postcount=10

[SamHatco]

Great progress Bill. I initially had the same problem with the alt on my car. I used carshop mounts and the alt just cleared the frame, but I knew is was going with a billete system. You will be amazed at how smooth that LS engine is.

Sam

[sunkistcamaro]

Thanks Sam,
Do you remember how thick Carshops plates are? I bet it would clear if mine were a little thicker. Im going to hold off on the interior task till next year. Maybe just the steering wheel. Im a little scared about that whole rag joint issue. Im surprised no one makes a adapter like yours.

By the way, your car is killer! Your doing a great job!
I will be thrilled if mine turns out 1/2 as good.

If anyone else is planning on this type of conversion, this is a must read!
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31227

[SamHatco]

Bill,

I don't remember how thick they are, you might want to give carshop a call.

Sam

[sunkistcamaro]

It's been some time since I have had time to work on my car.
Everyone except for me has been sick. That means keeping the house nice and quite when everyone is sleeping.

Well I cut up my frame and tried to fit this monster in place. I finally got it in and I realized, Im screwed... I cant attach the coolant lines. It has a big bulkhead and the lines are bent the wrong way.

Im going to try a few more things before I ditch this stock idea thing.
First Im going to lift the engine up to see what kind of room it gives me.
I may also see how much room I can squeeze out of it if I shave down the compressor mount.
If this is a fail Im going to get a aftermarket pump and move on.
I need to get a hold of Lance-W to see what pump he has.

[DionM]

Are you talking about the heater hoses? What is the problem? I'm getting ready to do the same swap to my 68 Camaro.
Dion

[sunkistcamaro]

Im talking about the lines that come out of the A/C compressor.
I'll try and get a pic later tonight. It may also be due to my motor plates being made out of 1/4" plate.

[DionM]

Gotcha. I've got a Vintage Air ordered ( If I ever get it ) so I should not have that problem. Good luck.
Dion

[sunkistcamaro]

Gotcha. I've got a Vintage Air ordered ( If I ever get it ) so I should not have that problem. Good luck.
Dion
Dion,
From what I have been reading, make sure you get the side exit.

I believe this is what Lance is using.
http://www.hotrodair.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=109/category_id=10/home_id=2/mode=prod/prd109.htm

Good reading:
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/765005-lsi-69-camaro-c-mounting-problems.html

[Lance-W]

Summit's part number for the compressor I'm running is HRA-13-4514

[sunkistcamaro]

Thanks Lance!

[cdoggy81]

sounds like a cool project!

[sunkistcamaro]

Its fun, i just wish I had more time...

[sunkistcamaro]

I got a great deal on a Sanden 508 compressor. Im itching to get outside and work on this thing!

[sunkistcamaro]

I finally got some time to work on installing my a/c compressor.
I have to thank DEIGuy38 for his great advice and guidance. He made his own brackets and sent me great pictures for reference. Since Im not about paying BIG $$ for aftermarket stuff I decided to give it a shot. So far I have made the upper mount very similar to guys. I would have finished the lower / inner bracket but I haven't been able to get the idler pulleys locally. I found them at rockauto.com for a very good price. Im going to wait till they come in before I go much further.

Ref.
Guys brackets and frame notch.
http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php4?attachmentid=16518&d=1236383265
http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php4?attachmentid=16520&d=1236383265
http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php4?attachmentid=16519&d=1236383265


Pulleys from rockauto
P/N: 95216 - $23.79
(Do a Google search for discount code) :cool:
http://info.rockauto.com/getimage/getimage.php?imagekey=416640&imageurl=http%3A//info.rockauto.com/Cloyes/95216.jpg
Steel 1/4" (lowes)
4" x 12" x 1/4" - $9.50 (3x)

Time:
about 2 hours to align compressor make upper mount.

[rohrt]

"I came across a good deal on a rolled over 04 GTO with 50,000 miles."

How did you find the rolled GTO?

[sunkistcamaro]

I actually found this car on Ebay. It was only about a hour away from my house. Another good place to look is on Copart.com

[sunkistcamaro]

I haven't posted much in awhile. I've been busy with the holidays and sick kids. I finally have been able to get out in the garage and spend sometime working things out. I decided to set the engine back another 3/4", it will help out with fitting the 700r4 driveshaft in proper location. No big deal just another set of plates.
I am almost gone with the A/C compressor mounting, I had to wait for the idler pulleys to come in from Rockauto.
The big reality check came when I test fitted the dash board inplace... Everything looks great till I put the heater box in. The way it works is the heater controls mount on the box which means it is what will locate the dash. Long story short I have decided to use the workings of the dash and make my own interior.
I'm going to start by mounting the heater box in the best location and work around that. It should be fun! I always wanted o build my own dash, now I'm forced to do it.
I'll post up some pics when I actually get something accomplished.

[sunkistcamaro]

So I was ready to make my own dash till I talked to cdoggy81 and reading Sam's thread again. The contour of the dash is so close that decided to take a big step forward and completely cut out the old upper dash. What a difference! By trimming most of the GTO front mounts off I was able to make it work.
Attached is a pic of the dash screwed in on the top and another where the glass mounts to show how closely it matches the original angle.

Time spent:
countless hours looking and swearing..
2 hrs to do it right.

[sunkistcamaro]

On a side note I worked on the A/C mount.
I have it mounted but still need to mount the idler pulleys.
After they are mounted I can trim up the front plate to make it look nice.

[cdoggy81]

Bill,
Good stuff bud :) Glad I could help & keep up the GREAT work!!!

[gEtyOpAPiOn]

hmm im wondering if that compressor would fit my car too

[sunkistcamaro]

I got some more work done. With the dash located I needed to mount the a/c box. After removing the dash again to get the stock box in place and remounting the dash again the ac box can be aligned. I propped it up with a tape measure and clamped it in place. After making sure it wasn't going to move I removed the dash again and made some real mounting brackets. Then the dash had to go back in again. If you plan on doing this get comfortable removing the dash, you have to do it a lot.... All said and done, its going to work!

Time: ~ 5 hrs...

[cdoggy81]

Nice & that is VERY good to hear. I'll be requesting some more close up pics w/ details... :) Keep up the good work!

[sunkistcamaro]

The one big piece of advice I can give you is to line up the center duct to the dash. After it is installed you have about a inch to the firewall from the heater hoses. Of course, thats where I mounted the dash... If you have a stick shift, listen to Sam and install from your center console (if your using that) to locate the whole dash first. After its mounted where you want it then tackle the a/c box. Take out the dash and shove the box on the tunnel. Remount your dash and mark out the fresh air location and cut out a huge rectangle. You need to cut this out or it wont fit. You will also need to make room for the silver actuator. After you have it positioned brace the hell out of it so it dosen't move. then take the dash out again and make mounts.
Im planning on routing the heater core and a/c lines in the open space in the car out to the wheel well area. I think its going to look good.

[CruizinKev]

nice progress :twothumbs

[sunkistcamaro]

Thanks, It has been fun cutting the hell out of my car.
Im going to be taking classes starting the 20th. Im sure its going to slow me down... bummer

[SamHatco]

Great job on fitting the a/c. Dash is looking awesome:cool:

Sam

[sunkistcamaro]

Thanks Sam,
You were right, this is fun!
Im jumping around from interior to engine everyday.

[cdoggy81]

Bill, that is great to hear. You (& Sam) have & will continue to be, a big help to me, THANKS!!!

[Project Cortez]

Awesome dash, it looks great so far. What are you going to do for a center console?

[sunkistcamaro]

I heard that the stock GTO dash will not fit with the GTO seats.
I think Im going to cut it up and make my own to match the dash.

[BA.]

Good work man, keep it up!

[SDS MACHINING]

Nice work on the dash, that will be pretty sweet!

[sunkistcamaro]

Thanks guys!
I would have stopped and gone another direction if it wasn't for the help of everyone on this site.

[sunkistcamaro]

I've been looking around for a really cool shifter to put in.
I think I found it!!!
Check these out
http://www.kilduffmachine.com/
http://www.wintersperformance.com/catalogs/SideWinder/04.htm
https://www.artcarr.com/merchandise/home/11.acpp
http://www.atiracing.com/products/shift/shift.htm

[SamHatco]

I heard that the stock GTO dash will not fit with the GTO seats.
I think Im going to cut it up and make my own to match the dash.

Bill,

When I was mocking up the GTO seats with the console installed there was not enough room. The GTO console is wider than the original console. I have a convertible and yours is a coup. If I'm not mistaken, the rockers on the 1st gen F body convertibles are a little wider than the coups, so you may have a little more room than me. You could always narrow the GTO console to give you some more room. Hope this helps.

Sam

[sunkistcamaro]

Thanks Sam,
I'll lug those monsters out of the basement today and see how it looks.
It would be nice if it does fit.

[Kokamo]

Looking good Bill! If you have any questions, let me know. Been down this road before. Well....not the full dash road, but the LS1 is something I might be able to help.....especially the harness.

Keep up the good work man!

~Joe

[sunkistcamaro]

Thanks Joe,
Im sure I will pinging you when I get to that bridge.

[jtm311]

Nice Work Bill, Sorry first I had seen your build.

When I was doing LS1 work into another car this site was a great help. http://www.hotrodlane.cc/indexhome.html

This is a how to, which may help "how to put a LS1 in a 69 Camaro" http://www.hotrodlane.cc/Streetstories/68ls1camaro/68ls1camaro1.htm

John

[sunkistcamaro]

Nice Work Bill, Sorry first I had seen your build.

When I was doing LS1 work into another car this site was a great help. http://www.hotrodlane.cc/indexhome.html

This is a how to, which may help "how to put a LS1 in a 69 Camaro" http://www.hotrodlane.cc/Streetstories/68ls1camaro/68ls1camaro1.htm

John

Thanks John!
Looks like a ton of great info.

[sunkistcamaro]

I've taken a short break from posting till I made some decent headway.

The biggest hurtle has been the damm heater box.
I have taken that thing in and out more times than I can count.
Its finally in the correct location to mate up to the dash. I also have routed the GTO wire harness, A/C lines and heater core lines in side of the pass fender.
I also made my own firewall bulkhead for the engine wire harness.
I used a electrical conduit fitting from Homedepot and cut it in half.
I looks like its going to do the job.

The cold weather has lifted so Im going to clean up the big mess and take some pics of my status.

[sunkistcamaro]

-delete-

[Ahsmo]

bumpin

[TheBandit]

Can you post a few more pictures of your a/c bracket and frame notch? I am curious where all the compressor ears attach.

Haven't posted in a while - I hope things are going okay for you

[sunkistcamaro]

I haven't posted anything because I haven't had enough time to work on the car.
I had been out of commission with a broken leg for a while and I finished up my engineering degree.
My kids are also keeping me very busy.
I'll post up some pics when the engine goes back in. I had to replace a floor board before all the wiring goes in.
I hope its not going to take much longer....