Overall LSX experiance?

[nitrorocket]

Do the ls1, I did! I can talk all day long on how the LS1 is a better motor then any previous SBC. Hands down, you cant go wrong. There is nothing bad about them! Think about it.

To bad you are not local, I would happily tune your car!

[Stu Seitz]

If you want good mpg go with a 6spd. It's easier to install (wiring), work on, lighter and there is no replacement for banging gears!

Really I put my ls1 when I was 19 working at Costco, and it was a bitch both in time and the dent it put it my wallet. Trust me when your in the middle of installing it you will ask your self why, but trust me stay the course it's worth it. It's a good feeling when you dyno your car and it put 350 to wheels stock and it raises the car even though you put in lowering spring because it's so light.

The only advice that I would give you is this.

Don't buy anything from S&P, I bought there motor mount adapter plates, oil pan and headers. Why? Because they were the only company that was offering products that I needed. There motor mount adapter plates aren’t bad and move the engine back a little which is good (compared to BRP mounts which move it forward). ATS has motor mount adapter plates that come with poly mounts (S&P don’t come with anything) ok for me because I run solid mounts. There oil pan is crap, it’s a modified version of a stock f-body pan but they remove the baffling on top, once I find a buyer for my pan I’m buying an ATS pan. The headers are crap too, when I got them in the mail I took them out of the box saw them, then mailed them back. I ended up buying 4th gen f-body headers, pacesetters and modifying those then made my own x-pipe and exhaust. Hooker now sells ls1 swap headers.

Intake is easy, just find a shop that works on diesel trucks and get a 90 degree 4in. mandrel bent exhaust pipe and rout it into your fender.

You radiator needs to be modified can’t forget that vapor line that comes off the head.

Take time with your wiring make sure everything is grounded correctly.

Set aside 400-500 dollars for a good dyno tune (no mail order crap) after the install, worth every penny.

If you want performance order stuff from ATS www.t56kit.com. This would include tranny cross member, clutch master and everything needed. If you like chrome go to the many other companies.

You’re in Livermore, my parents live in San Ramon, PM me if you want me cell number I would be more then happy to help you out with the install/ show you my car.

[my69rocks]

The guys at Street & Performance are always ready to assist with any questions and put out a quality product. They've done plenty of projects without a windage tray. It doesn't seem to effect them. What are you worried about unless your cornering really hard.

[Damn True]

What are you worried about unless your cornering really hard.

Isn't that the point?

[68Formula]

I think you should go with the LS1 and I'll take the 2004R off your hands.

[Stu Seitz]

Isn't that the point?

Word; why would you put a lighter engine in your car if you didn't want to turn?

[68Formula]

Don't discourage the man, I want his trans.

[ItDoRun]

I've got a question concerning the front ride height after installing the LS1. I am currently buying parts little at a time to do this conversion. Right now, I'm concentrating on my front suspension, then I'll start locating the LS1/T56. I'm wanting to lower the front end 2" using the DSE coil springs. When I install the LS1, am I going to have that stock '65 Mustang look (squatting in the back)? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[rohrt]

This thread is killing me. I'm a die hard pontiac fan but this swap is very appealing. I saw a LS/t56 combo on ebay for 3200. That price would hardly get you the FI system for a pontiac. If money was no object I would be ordering the aluminum block from butlter, KRE heads and a good FI system. Then I would drop my 428 crank in. Those three things alone would put me at 10 grand and you still don't have a tranny:(

[OldSchoolFormula]

Tell me about it rohrt... Gonna try and yank the LS1 out of the donor this weekend.

[Stu Seitz]

I've got a question concerning the front ride height after installing the LS1. I am currently buying parts little at a time to do this conversion. Right now, I'm concentrating on my front suspension, then I'll start locating the LS1/T56. I'm wanting to lower the front end 2" using the DSE coil springs. When I install the LS1, am I going to have that stock '65 Mustang look (squatting in the back)? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, the front of your car will go up a bit. How much is a question of what kind of engine you had in there before.

[ItDoRun]

It currently has a 350 in it with stock springs. I'm trying to avoid going to adjustable coil overs.

[WS6]

if its an all cast iron engine then your going to easily be 350-400 lbs lighter with the LS1 in there. well what trans do you currently have as well? the T56 weights around 130. so it could be around 300lbs lighter. either way your going to have to swap in different springs when you change or cut some coils.

[OldSchoolFormula]

Oh, AMC, the current drivetrain is going to a buddy of mine. He's been pretty impressed with the overall driveability/reliability/performance of it as is.

[zman1969]

it is hard to justify the cost of the swap - like the grass is always greener ... but were hotrodders and cant leave well enough alone . if interested in the possibilitys ? buy a T/A or Z/SS and leave the old car as is - theyre getting in the 8-10k range now , and no work- swap is factory done ! i did it and im still doing a conversion - love it

[76LS1bird]

I have LS1 & T56 with 410's, 70mph-- 2k RPM
18-22 MPG I need 93 o gas because of my tune.
Dale

[twoduners11]

if its an all cast iron engine then your going to easily be 350-400 lbs lighter with the LS1 in there. well what trans do you currently have as well? the T56 weights around 130. so it could be around 300lbs lighter. either way your going to have to swap in different springs when you change or cut some coils.

so a complete ls1 only weighs about 150lbs? a guy could run 3 of em

[nitrorocket]

I swapped to twin turbos and an ls1 from a tall desk small block and the nose did'nt really change. I think the motor is only about 100-150 lbs. lighter. I think.

[Steve1968LS2]

Plain and simple. Once you go LSX, you won't EVER want to go back to anything else. Its value is in the pure simplicity of how it works and how efficient the entire assembly is in getting power to the back tires...


Installing the LS1 is no more difficult than putting in any other EFI combo other than getting your exhaust to fit and work for a reasonable price.

That's about how I feel.. my '69 had the LS1/4L60 combo and it rocked.. it was just like a modern car. Hop in, turn the key and it started. Modern EFI is so easy to live with once you get it turned for baseline correctly.

Also, the mileage with an LS1 will always be better than a carb'd small block. I think a stock LS1 with 4L60 trans is good for 25mpg highway. I know guys with gears, cam and all that and they still get around 20mph.

Everyone is making parts for these engines so the swap cost is definetly coming down and you have a huge choice of parts suppliers.

[Steve1968LS2]

so a complete ls1 only weighs about 150lbs? a guy could run 3 of em

457.6 lbs, LS1 auto; 497.2 lbs, LS1/LS6 manual

compared to a big block it knocks hundreds of pounds off the nose.