Need help: LS swap options

[scottymonte]

Hello all,

i have been building my 76 Monte Carlo as pro-touring themed and now it's time for engine/tranny purchase.
I am looking for some suggestions for swap combos and price. Use for the car will be mostly street with occasional track day.

Needs:

LS
at least 400hp+
6 speed
engine controller
Hedders

budget= 11000.00



any ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Scott

[Tom Welch]

used lq4 or lq9 from a salvage yard. Easily make 400 hp. Cast iron block makes it strong and these engines are cheap, several low mileage engines have got to be within spitting distance of you. GMPP crate engines will get it done, too. More money though. The t56 or tr6060 will eat int your budget quite a bit as well. Headers from Stainless works run 900.00 or so. PSI performance has a pretty good price on the harness which can be modified to fit your application. The parts for sale section on this forum will be a big help, that is where I found my t56. good luck.

[scottymonte]

used lq4 or lq9 from a salvage yard. Easily make 400 hp. Cast iron block makes it strong and these engines are cheap, several low mileage engines have got to be within spitting distance of you. GMPP crate engines will get it done, too. More money though. The t56 or tr6060 will eat int your budget quite a bit as well. Headers from Stainless works run 900.00 or so. PSI performance has a pretty good price on the harness which can be modified to fit your application. The parts for sale section on this forum will be a big help, that is where I found my t56. good luck.

Thanks for the reply Tom.

Do you think a LQ4/LQ9 with stock heads/intake would do it, or switch to the LS3 stuff?
Should I leave the stock bottom end as is if everything looks good?
Do you think something like a FAST harness and controler would be worth the extra money? I am guessing this would save on tunning and dyno time.

Thanks, just trying not to dig myself in a hole that is going to cost more in the long run as opposed to going with a pre-built short block or somthing.

[garys 68]

Go with an LQ9, 400hp with just exhaust and a tune (link below). Lots of LS T56s out there. Looking at under $2000 each for good, low mileage pieces (motor should include accessories, sensors, ecu, harness, petal, etc for that price).
Leave the motor stock, use stock ecu, no dyno time needed. If you want you can swap intake, cam, heads to put you over 500hp. That was my plan, but found I was very happy with it in stock form. Bottom end will hold up to lots of hp.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...#ixzz21ehbAsre

[srh3trinity]

Don't forget to factor in your fuel system. That being said, you should be able to accomplish this with your budget. there are plenty of people that make good power with cathedral port heads. If you decide to do a cam swap there are plenty of, options to make good power. You may have to switch to a car intake for hood clearance.

[scottymonte]

Thanks to all that are chiming in, I have been having a tuff time trying to decide which way to go. Now that I finally have money to pull the trigger I keep second guessing my choices as if there is something better out there.

For the fuel system I have a quote from MCB for a ricks tank with the vaporworks setup.

My other area of concern is engine mounts and tranny crossmember. A 76 monte carlo is probaly the least popular option for this swap (it is no first gen camaro) so info is scarce.

Thanks, scott

[SShep71]

Scotty I sent you a PM

[garys 68]

You can save a few bucks by using the stock GTO or Corvette exhaust, if they fit. They flow really well and can be found used for about $50.
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...e_header_test/

[scottymonte]

You can save a few bucks by using the stock GTO or Corvette exhaust, if they fit. They flow really well and can be found used for about $50.
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...e_header_test/

Thank you for the link, that's some good info. Although not much is as cool as a set of stainless hedders.

[garys 68]

Less money on "show" means more money for "go".

Thank you for the link, that's some good info. Although not much is as cool as a set of stainless hedders.

[srh3trinity]

There was a low mileage ls2 and t56 in the classifieds on lateral-g.net

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=42416

[scottymonte]

There was a low mileage ls2 and t56 in the classifieds on lateral-g.net

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=42416

Thanks for the link, I will try to contact him. Shipping from CA to OH has to be crazy though.

[srh3trinity]

If you go from dock to dock, freight isn't too bad. I bought a block and rotating assembly and from Tx to AL it was reasonable. Certainly a complete engine and trans is going to cost more, but if you can't find one locally and you buy that right it might be worth it.

[cactuss4]

Thanks for the link, I will try to contact him. Shipping from CA to OH has to be crazy though.

Depending on the weight of the motor. Last time I crated my motor up and shipped it, it was a few hundred dollars. Although the weight of my engine was under 500 lbs and thus could use a standard handtruck. Nothing special.

Tory

[scottymonte]

Thanks for all the info guys, my over all plan is starting to come together.
I plan on getting the ricks tank order in this week. Along with either the BRP swap kit or dirty dingo LS mounts(still not sure on the best way to go here). I am concerened about not finding a cross member that would fit if I do not use the BRP setup, any thoughts?

Thanks again,

[srh3trinity]

The dirty dingo sliders would help. Check out crossmembers.com or I think american powertrain makes a universal

[garys 68]

On the crossmember, Speedway motors sells universal ones in various drop heights pretty cheap. Mock it up, see what you need.
On shipping, I've bought 2 motors on ebay. Lowballed an offer by email after the auction closed without a sale at reserve. Shipping for a motor alone was under $100 to a truck freight terminal. One even hat it here the next day! Has to fit on a pallet, so not sure if trans and motor could ship together.

[scottymonte]

Hello, thanks again for the input.
I found a LS1 / T56 GTO take out with about 75k on it. What is a good price for one of these? Is there any big reason not to go LS1 except for the limited head options?

Thanks,

[garys 68]

Price mainly. Aluminum blocks get about 3x the price of iron. Shifter position on the GTO is set back, might be an issue.

[csouth]

Thanks for the link, I will try to contact him. Shipping from CA to OH has to be crazy though.

If you're in OH, why don't you call Cleveland Pick-a-Part? They are always selling full swaps. They have and LS2\T56 on ebay now. I have never used them, but I think they used to advertised on Lateral-G a lot. You can also get those heads ported or swap in 243 heads.

http://www.clevelandpickapart.com/