LSx conversion owners. In hindsight what would you have done differently

[rocketrod]

I am debating doing an LQ9/LS conversion soon. :drool: I have been reading through threads both here, camaros.net and ls1tech, but for those of you that have already done it already, what words of advice can you offer and what would you do differently if you were to do it again? :idea:

[garys 68]

Use as much off the shelf GM stuff as you can. On my first one, a 68 corvette, I fabbed a lot of stuff. There's a lot of time involved and you can run into unexpected problems. Let GM do the R&D work.

[CarlC]

I should have done it sooner.

[trapin]

Honestly Rod, the best piece of advice/tip I can give you is this.......

Everything you have read about how to install an LS engine in your classic car (whether it was here, LS1Tech, Camaros.net...whatever) is only HALF of what you actually need to know. You read that right....HALF, as in 50%.

For the rest you will need to dig my friend. There is so much that is inadvertently left out it's sickening. So prepare yourself for what you are about to embark on. The rewards are great, but the journey there (for a novice) can be maddening.

I had to dig for the other 50%. And I'm not done yet....still digging.

This is not an indictment of the forums on this site or the others for that matter but rather a consequence of too much information being spread out all over the internet and hidden inside various threads that you need to search for. If someone were to write a comprehensive book on the subject that left no stone unturned; I would have to think that guy/girl would make a mint on it. Because really....there is no published work that I am aware of that covers it in complete detail.

I just wish we knew someone around here...ANYONE on this website that has had experience writing books on Automotive subjects.

Hmmm.....:hmm:

[hifi875]

buy motormounts, headers and oil pan that are designed to work as a package. use gm factory accessory drive if possible, unless you want to spend 2200 bucks on a aftermarket. do your best to hide the sizeable amount wiring if you do fuel injection. nothing worse than a motor hidden by a bunch of wires and exposed computers etc. take your time.

[rocketrod]

...
Everything you have read about how to install an LS engine in your classic car (whether it was here, LS1Tech, Camaros.net...whatever) is only HALF of what you actually need to know. You read that right....HALF, as in 50%....
From the threads/stickies I have read it dosn't sound all that difficult, BUT I know there are some details being left out. Care to elaborate on missing 50%?


buy motormounts, headers and oil pan that are designed to work as a package.
Definitely.


take your time.
I will defintely have a plan before I begin, with the emphasis on doing it right versus meeting a deadline. I see a lot of cars at shows where you can tell the owner just slapped the car to get it running and ignored the details.

[CFster]

Not a thing. Everything came out like I wanted it to.

[Tom Welch]

Buy a kit as has been stated. Be prepared to install and uninstall several times to be sure everything really does in fact fit as you believe it will. Dont rush it, period. We are doing a 69 Nova right now and so far the mounts dont work/fit as explained in the instructions, they do work backwards from instructions. The oilpan will fit(5.3L from 09 Tahoe) if the frame is notched. The pan sits too low in the chassis and is very exposed below the crossmember. The exhaust manifolds fit. We had to move the trans crossmember forward 1 bolt hole to fit good. When swapping the intake from truck to LS1 education on manifold differences is important to avoid gnashing your teeth when all of the vacuum lines dont go where they are supposed to, injectors dont fit according to some, intake bolts dont swap from car to truck intake, waterpump to throttlebody interference, which spacer will solve that issue, belt length, alternator bracket needs a hole drilled and tapped in the block, the boss cast for this isnt drilled on this block. Not insurmountable problems by any stretch but a royally painful learning experience the first time through, 50 percent is just about as exact as you will get, like Trapin said earlier.

[robertjra]

I'm in the middle of my ls swap check your engine stands big block/small block that had me for a loop. also I am also using the 6l80e and no one has a kit to install that trans in a 69 camaro.... so i had to make my own one thing will lead to another so stay focused and do one thing a a time finish one thing and thin go on to the next.

[Magntik]

Buy parts/kits from Vendors willing to spend time on the phone with you AFTER the parts arrive and you don't understand something.
I don't care how big a company or how many people buy from them, if they don't want or have the time to help me, I'll spend money with Vendors that do.

The guys at Kwik Performance, Dakota Digital, DSE, Mad Electric and Monster Transmissions to name a few who spent plenty of time on the phone with me, and will most likely see more of my hard earned money in the future.

Your conversion will go a lot smoother if/ when you need something explained a little more than the included instructions, the Vendor is willing to explain it to you.
Forums are great and I bought a couple of the books on the subject but they do leave a little to be desired. It's so much nicer to get the info straight from the "horse's mouth"!

[rocketrod]

I'm in the middle of my ls swap check your engine stands big block/small block that had me for a loop. also I am also using the 6l80e and no one has a kit to install that trans in a 69 camaro.... Are you having to seriously modify the trans tunnel to fit a 6L80E in a 69 Camaro?


Buy a kit as has been stated. Be prepared to install and uninstall several times to be sure everything really does in fact fit as you believe it will. Dont rush it, period. We are doing a 69 Nova right now and so far the mounts dont work/fit as explained in the instructions, they do work backwards from instructions. The oilpan will fit(5.3L from 09 Tahoe) if the frame is notched. The pan sits too low in the chassis and is very exposed below the crossmember. The exhaust manifolds fit. We had to move the trans crossmember forward 1 bolt hole to fit good. When swapping the intake from truck to LS1 education on manifold differences is important to avoid gnashing your teeth when all of the vacuum lines dont go where they are supposed to, injectors dont fit according to some, intake bolts dont swap from car to truck intake, waterpump to throttlebody interference, which spacer will solve that issue, belt length, alternator bracket needs a hole drilled and tapped in the block, the boss cast for this isnt drilled on this block. Not insurmountable problems by any stretch but a royally painful learning experience the first time through, 50 percent is just about as exact as you will get, like Trapin said earlier.Point well taken. I am doing a ton of research and noticed the same thing you pointed out about issues with installing a car intake on a truck engine.

[robertjra]

[QUOTE=rocketrod;815526]Are you having to seriously modify the trans tunnel to fit a 6L80E in a 69 Camaro?
yes I did and still am i built my own cross member like the dse one and cut the top off the trans tunnel i have all the pic's on my build thread under wicked impression. you should check it out!!! lots of pics.

[EXTREME NOVA]

subscribing here. LSx will be underway soon over here.

[parsonsj]

use as much off the shelf gm stuff as you can.x2!

[Greasy63]

theres good stuff here....

[dhutton]

I would use a fuel pump controller to reduce fuel heating and increase fuel pump reliability. Aeromotive makes one that I am using on my second build but the Vapor Works system is the ultimate.

It's just not a good idea to have the pump running at max all the time.

Don

[CharlieC]

Don't buy "it" until you need it for mockup or final installation. The car has been a much longer build than expected, and I made the mistake of stockpiling parts only to change my mind, something new comes along, doesn't fit and I've had it too long to return/exchange etc.

Charlie

[73z-6sp]

hnjmk,l

[rocketrod]

Don't buy "it" until you need it for mockup or final installation. The car has been a much longer build than expected, and I made the mistake of stockpiling parts only to change my mind, something new comes along, doesn't fit and I've had it too long to return/exchange etc.

CharlieBeen there done that. I am hoping to not do that with the conversion. I am trying to get my plan together, then start and finish the install asap, or should I say before something new comes along.


Well...I'm not done yet but one thing I would have done is bought a crate engine. I've spent so much replacing the accessories ...the oil pan...the intake...the water pump...the starter. I basicallly paid too much for a long block when I could have bought a new crate engine and had a new engine rather than one I know nothing about with no warranty. Oh well. Live and learn. Wont do that again!

I am torn with the buying a pullout versus crate. The crate engine is the most expensive option $$$ wise, but you do get a warranty.

[CharlieC]

Depending on where you are on the build, with some patience and time spent reading, you can pickup a great deal on someone else's mind-change, economic issue, etc. I had a good pullout in hand, but came across a smokin' deal on the LSX block and bottom-end kit I ended up installing. When all was said and done, I probably saved $3K vs buying the same engine as a crate and was able to pick particular components. Now that savings doesn't include the $ I lost selling the pullout for less than I paid, but we covered that topic. :)

Charlie

[Taylor1969]

I went LS1 stock radiator - pick it up at the autoparts store for <$100. Fabbed up some simple mounts and it was installed in under an hour. On top of that I put factory LS1 Fans (scored a set on amazon.com for under $100 also.

Go Mast pan... I installed one and I love it
Go Stainless Works... great build quality and Frank has a great deal on them right now
Go S&P Mounts... pretty much guaranteed to work and Frank has those also

Get these main hard parts and the install will be a breeze. I had an issue finding the right engine side mounts and ended up using 1972 Chevelle mounts and it mounted up perfect (quick call to S&P and they had me on the right path).

Also get the Magnaflow catback... installed easily, and it is really high quality. Pick them up from Frank or ebay and you'll be set.

Hector @ Rick's Stainless is the man to talk to about tanks

Tom @ Speed Inc. is the man to talk to about fuel lines, fittings, etc. He did a package for me that included all of the hoses, adaptors, vette regulator, fittings, etc. I had everything I need.

Chris

[BigMal69]

i would go with a tried and true header, mount, oil pan combination. I took a ton of time researching mine and still went through a few iterations and wasted some $ in the process. Luckily, Ebay was there to save me with the unused parts

[jerhofer]

I am happy with my swap but, like others here, you do have to go down some side streets on certain items before you arrive at the solution that works for your car. For instance, until you have the parts in hand, it is hard to know what air intake will work. I tried two different ones before I arrived at the one that both worked and looked good. EBay has been my saviour as well in getting rid of unused parts.

Because I had the Billet Specialties front runner kit on my 406 SBC with the attendant power steering and AC lines, it made sense for me to use their LS kit. Everything lined up exactly as on the SBC and I did not have to re-do my lines. To help make up for the cost of the front runner, I sold off the pulleys, alternator, PS pump, etc from my LS. So far, I have collected over $700 for those parts. Plus I sold my old front runner kit for $975.

My point is that every build is unique because of the vehicle, how you had you old engine configured (Carb or fuel injected, front runner, AC, transmission, etc.), and your final goal for what you want the new engine to look like and how much time (and money) you have to spend.

The best advice I have seen above is to take your time. It is a big job and you surely don't want to have to re-do things because you took a shortcut. As usual, doing it right the first time is the best way to go.

I do have a thread on this forum concerning my build. While it will be different from yours, it will give you an idea of the steps involved.

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?80711-Installing-a-LS1-in-my-1977-Camaro&highlight=

And this is what it looks like now.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/82611enginefromrighthoodon3sm-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/82711autofairfall1977CamaroLS1engine2sm-1.jpg

[BigMal69]

I am happy with my swap but, like others here, you do have to go down some side streets on certain items before you arrive at the solution that works for your car. For instance, until you have the parts in hand, it is hard to know what air intake will work. I tried two different ones before I arrived at the one that both worked and looked good. EBay has been my saviour as well in getting rid of unused parts.

Because I had the Billet Specialties front runner kit on my 406 SBC with the attendant power steering and AC lines, it made sense for me to use their LS kit. Everything lined up exactly as on the SBC and I did not have to re-do my lines. To help make up for the cost of the front runner, I sold off the pulleys, alternator, PS pump, etc from my LS. So far, I have collected over $700 for those parts. Plus I sold my old front runner kit for $975.

My point is that every build is unique because of the vehicle, how you had you old engine configured (Carb or fuel injected, front runner, AC, transmission, etc.), and your final goal for what you want the new engine to look like and how much time (and money) you have to spend.

The best advice I have seen above is to take your time. It is a big job and you surely don't want to have to re-do things because you took a shortcut. As usual, doing it right the first time is the best way to go.

I do have a thread on this forum concerning my build. While it will be different from yours, it will give you an idea of the steps involved.

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?80711-Installing-a-LS1-in-my-1977-Camaro&highlight=

And this is what it looks like now.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/82611enginefromrighthoodon3sm-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/82711autofairfall1977CamaroLS1engine2sm-1.jpg

Nice setup. Much cleaner than mine....