89 Trans Am ls1 swap under $2500

[yevgenievich]

I have 1989 Trans Am that that i started with ls1 swap. My goal is to keep it under $2500. So far i'm right near the 2k with swap mounts, motor+trans, fuel pump and fpr. Motor is out of 98 z28 camaro with 4l60e trans. Keeping it an auto because of the budget. I will be getting the trans crossmember modded next weekend becuse it needs to be moved 2" back for the new trans. Motor is in but still need to figure out the fuel and the wiring.

[1971CHEVELLE]

good looking car

[WS6]

If I was to build a third gen(which I do like very much) I'd do the exact same thing. Good luck meeting your budget goals.

[Code Red]

nice man

[CruizinKev]

nice

[srh3trinity]

I would like to hear more about the swap or if you have documented it somewhere else then point me in the direction. I have limited funds currently and I am thinking about building up a third gen just due to their potential and the fact that the stock suspension has a lot of aftermarket items available. I am thinking about a 5.3l or 6.0l truck motor and a BMR tubular crossmember with the provisions for the LSX motor.

[yevgenievich]

well, i don't have a lot of updates but at least some. I took my stock wiring harness out and need to run new wires for the fans and fuel pump. I am swapping to electric inline fuel pump and already took the stock one out of the gas tank. Because i had to take the rear end out to get to the gas tank i waited until i got a hold of 4th gen rear end with 3.42 gears and disk brakes then did them both at once. I had to use 4th gen torque arm as well. In order to mount the auto trans had to modify the trans cross member to move it 2" back. I also made a steam tube adapter to go into one of the hoses running into the radiator. it has to be hooked up in order for the motor to live. I still need to hook the fuel lines and splice about 15 wires to get her running. I've been keeping more up to date info on thirdgen.org site in the lsx swap section. Now pics:

[nightrunner]

That's a LT1 not a LS1...

[yevgenievich]

that's my old TPI motor sitting in the truck ready to be hauled off into storage. LS1 is sitting under the hood, which is why now the front end is sitting almost 2" higher

[78 Type-LT]

That's a LT1 not a LS1...

No...that's TPI & it's his tha motor he took out..

[nightrunner]

ahh, my mistake.

I love the project you have going there.

[69LT1Nova]

Some people just don't know the difference between a TPI, LT1, LS1, Ford modular motor, or a Honda engine.

Hey, where is the carburmarator? Duhhhhhh.....

[69LT1Nova]

Anywhoo, back to the thread.

I love the ghetto "garage"! Good news is, there is more than likely easy access to a dumpster to throw that TPI into. LOL!

[Black-Jacket]

i know someone in texas needing a tpi intake if you want to sell yours

[yevgenievich]

I have decided to keep original motor,trans and wiring harness. The engine bay is already looking better with old harness out.

[yevgenievich]

got another small update. It's not running yet but the fuel pump is in. It was about $30 in fittings and $20 for the hose to hook up electric fuel pump.
Living in the apartment complex means that whatever car i am working on becomes a portable storage unit.


and the fuel pump is installed. The fuel pump is just going to be activated by a switch, i am not going to be using the factory relay for it. The hose is using the slip on fitting and is rated up to 250psi with one connector that i had to use at about 150psi.

[zman1969]

yevgenievich, why are you moving the eng/trans back2" ?? i would think it would stay in the same location- so drveshaft/trq arm wont need to be modded- oil pan clearance maybe?

[yevgenievich]

the engine is not moved back 2", the mount on the 4l60e is two inches back compared to 700r4.

[Phishfud]

I have so thought about doing this swap in my GTA. Looks like a great build!

[zman1969]

the engine is not moved back 2", the mount on the 4l60e is two inches back compared to 700r4.

OK now makes sense i "assumed since a 4l60e was a electronic version of the 700r4 that that was tha same - ya learn something new everday! good luck with your build