I'm taking the LS plunge!

[Chad-1stGen]

Well after day dreaming about an LS motor for years I finally picked up an engine last night! Pretty excited about it, to say the least.

I picked up a Mast Motorsports LS3 427 crate motor from a guy who bought it in 2009 and never installed it and let it sit and collect dust (as you will see in the pic below).



https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Now I get to go through the LS learning curve. I've read tons and tons of LS threads but never "had" to know the info or remember the answer.

So now I will be needing to figure out:

1) What motor mounts keep the bellhousing at the same depth (front/back) as a SBC in my 68 Camaro. Can go lower if pan clearence but not higher.

2) I have some Hedman headers that were sold as 69-74 Nova headers. Price was too good to pass up trying them in my 68.

3) Whose oil pan to use. It has the LH8 pan on it now, but as I intent to flog it hard on the track I will be upgrading the pan. Debating going with Mast to keep the theme or going with another brand.

4) New radiator. My current aluminum radiator has a pinhole leak that has argued for replacement for a while but I held out "just in case I find an LS" which now I'm glad I did. Do I get one with a trans/oil cooler or do a separate oil cooler.

5) Figuring out where all these damn vacum ports go / PCV / Steam ports / etc. I've read about so many others having fun with.

[Ron.in.SoCal]

Cograts Chad! You're gonna love that motor...:)

[Flash68]

Ha, that's awesome Chad.... you bastage. LOL

I know exactly what you mean on researching the LS stuff..... I've spent many hrs on LS1tech but can't remember all of those details. That is a great forum though.

Others will know more than I on the LS stuff, but I believe your top options for the pan are Autokraft, LH8, CTS-V, and the new Mast pan.

LS headers seem damn expensive -- Edelbrock recently stopped making there set but I've only read great bang for buck feedback on that.

And if I were you I would definitely get an integrated oil cooler/heat exchanger in your radiator since you need a new radiator anyway.

[ProdigyCustoms]

All in stock and everything guaranteed to work together.

Motor mounts

http://www.protouringsuperstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=pdgylsadpt

Oil pan

http://www.protouringsuperstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=pdgylspan

Radiator

http://www.protouringsuperstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=PC6769FLS1

I have no idea if the Headman headers will work, We do have Stainless Works on a Super Sale this month

http://www.protouringsuperstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SWCALS1%2DSB

[Gandalf]

Awesome score Chad!! Looks like you got a complete package including front runner wit a/c. Can't wait to see what you can do with this monster under the hood.

Simple hand tools in your driveway - couple hours and it should be in ;-)

No question that your Q1-2-3 approach is best. I would get engine mounts / headers and pan around the same time and be sure they work "together" for your setup. Also important to see that your transmission stays in a similar vertical position in the tunnel as well as front/back placement.

I have a beefy AFCO LS radiator here I'm going to sell and may have some other LS parts too. Let me know if your headers don't work out - I can probably get you a killer deal on some Kooks stainless LS headers (local so you can check fitment). Looks like your engine package is pretty complete. Keep us posted!

Cheers!
Gregg

G.

[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.

Looks like you have your accessories installed already so you are probably good to go there.

Chris

[Taylor1969]

BTW>... I just finished the install so everything is fresh in my mind if you have questions.

Chris

[Chad-1stGen]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the advice and offers.

Of the folks recommending motor mounts does anyone know if they will allow me to keep my current T56 trans in the same location as it is behind my SBC? That is what I'm most interested in figuring out first.

On the oil pan what do people think about baffles vs. trap doors? I really like the looks of the Mast pan because it offeres what appears to be the best clearence and is cast aluminim like factory. However, it uses some pretty simple baffeling that doesn't look as good for road course use. In some of the highspeed high G sustained corners I hit (Riverside @ Buttonwillow or turn 2 at Willow Springs) I'd be worried that a baffle would allow to much oil to build up on the side, where as a trap door could be superior? I noticed the Autokraft pan uses trap doors.

[dhutton]

As far as I know Hooker plates put the trans in the same location as the SBC. At least that is the reason given for why they place the engine so far back. Be prepared for possible interference with your heater core if you still have one.

[Chad-1stGen]

As far as I know Hooker plates put the trans in the same location as the SBC. At least that is the reason given for why they place the engine so far back. Be prepared for possible interference with your heater core if you still have one.

Thanks, I will check into that. FWIW I have the vintage air so no heater core in the engine compartment.

[Vicinity]

Chad, since you have a T56 behind your SBC, you interested in selling the swap parts to fit an LS T56 behind that SBC? Just out of curiosity. :)

Congrats on the engine score, it should be awesome!

[6'9"Witha69]

Chad, I have a magazine @ home with an ad for adjustable fore/aft positioning of LS conversions. I can look that up for you when I get home.

Congrats on the upgrade. Looks like a beast.

[Chad-1stGen]

Chad, since you have a T56 behind your SBC, you interested in selling the swap parts to fit an LS T56 behind that SBC? Just out of curiosity. :)

Congrats on the engine score, it should be awesome!

Heya Dan. Actually yes I plan on selling those parts. I will offer everything up to whoever buys the motor first but I'm guessing I'll end up parting out once I have a motor buyer at which time I will try and sell the flywheel, clutch, weir belhousing, weir throwout bearing, tilton master, etc (but not the crossmember) as a kit.



Chad, I have a magazine @ home with an ad for adjustable fore/aft positioning of LS conversions. I can look that up for you when I get home.

Congrats on the upgrade. Looks like a beast.

Thanks Nick. I'm super stoked on getting this bad boy in there. I may having something else cooking now that will impact which motor mounts I go with but I'd be interested in the name or brand of those mounts if it isn't too much trouble.

[sik68]

Very cool, your car is going to fly!

In before Buttonwillow in September?

[Nessumsar]

Chad, is your tranny a LS or SBC model? If its a SBC model, don't those have pretty low TQ ratings? I would be afraid to bolt it up to 600hp...

BTW, I'm jealous.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Chad, there is a video of Badd Penny at the Optima Challenge with a in car video camera that just happens to be on the oil pressure gauge the entire run. The oil pressure never wiggles.

Penny has the Champ pan.

I have installed the Mast but not raced it yet, so I have no hard data yet.

[Chad-1stGen]

Very cool, your car is going to fly!

In before Buttonwillow in September?

I hope so. As soon as I picked it up that became my must be done by date lol! Thought I'd really rather sell my current SBC while its in the car and running where a potential buyer can test it anyway they want (well not burnouts and silly stuff ha ha). I know as a buyer I'd feel a heck of a lot more comfortable testing out a used engine in car than buying off the stand.


Chad, is your tranny a LS or SBC model? If its a SBC model, don't those have pretty low TQ ratings? I would be afraid to bolt it up to 600hp...

BTW, I'm jealous.

Its an LS1 T56 out of a Camaro. I actually still have the LS1 bellhousing and flywheel I've kept all these years so now I can put them to good use! Well at least the bellhousing, I need to research that I can use an LS1 flywheel with an LS3.


Chad, there is a video of Badd Penny at the Optima Challenge with a in car video camera that just happens to be on the oil pressure gauge the entire run. The oil pressure never wiggles.

Penny has the Champ pan.

I have installed the Mast but not raced it yet, so I have no hard data yet.

Thanks Frank. I will go look up the champ pan. The one you linked above I assumed to be the autocraft but is it the champ?

[ProdigyCustoms]

Ours is a Champ pan

[Gitter Dun]

Awesome move Chad. I will be heading that direction soon. Fuel costs are killing me.

[rsk68]

Completely jealous!

[Vicinity]

Heya Dan. Actually yes I plan on selling those parts. I will offer everything up to whoever buys the motor first but I'm guessing I'll end up parting out once I have a motor buyer at which time I will try and sell the flywheel, clutch, weir belhousing, weir throwout bearing, tilton master, etc (but not the crossmember) as a kit.

First dibs if you part it out. Keep me in mind!

[Chad-1stGen]

As far as I know Hooker plates put the trans in the same location as the SBC. At least that is the reason given for why they place the engine so far back. Be prepared for possible interference with your heater core if you still have one.

Just wanted to add that you were right Hooker does offer mounts to place the trans in the exact same position. They now make a variety of mounts to get the postion you want. I found the following link very hlepfull. Really helps you eyeball other brands and what they are likely to do. Seems to me if you can handle the potential interference, then having the motor back as far as possible is best. Of course the headers being matched to mounts are still advisable.

http://www.holley.com/data/Products/Technical/199R10379rev2.pdf

[6'9"Witha69]

http://dirtydingo.com/store/
Here is the link I referred to before. The adjustables ones are solid mounts, no cushion. But I prefer solids anyway.

[dhutton]

http://dirtydingo.com/store/
Here is the link I referred to before. The adjustables ones are solid mounts, no cushion. But I prefer solids anyway.

I think solid mounts will cause false hits to the knock sensors.

[Frankenstine]

just wondering, is the ls3 a 427? thought the ls7 is a 427? sooooo confused on these ls engines?lol