LS1/LS6 motor swap question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 171
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From: Bethlehem PA
LS1/LS6 motor swap question
Ok so i decided to go with an ls1 or ls6 for my 73 and i really want sidepipes, but arent the exhaust ports different on the LS engines, and if so has anyone found a way around this problem?? thanks in advance-Danny 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,435
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From: largo florida
yes, they are different. I have heard that the big block ports are very close in spacing with the ls1's. You could probably cut the flanges off the BB sidepipes and weld on a set of ls1 flanges.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,145
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From: The Motor City
Nobody's done it yet but the above advice is your best option. You also have to figure out where to mount the oxygen sensor. (I was going to keep my side exhaust but decided it wasn't worth the hassle/expense.)
Team Owner
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From: Sometimes I wonder... why is that frisbee getting bigger? Then it hits me.
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St. Jude Donor '06
Honestly? Your best bet is to go to a reputable custom exhaust shop and let them build you a set. The 02 bung is easy, they just weld it onto the collector and you are done.
Might cost you a bit more but well worth it if you get a nice set of headers with somewhat of a guarantee
Might cost you a bit more but well worth it if you get a nice set of headers with somewhat of a guarantee
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,145
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From: The Motor City
Originally Posted by Madmikeee
Honestly? Your best bet is to go to a reputable custom exhaust shop and let them build you a set. The 02 bung is easy, they just weld it onto the collector and you are done.
Might cost you a bit more but well worth it if you get a nice set of headers with somewhat of a guarantee
Might cost you a bit more but well worth it if you get a nice set of headers with somewhat of a guarantee
Budman is using regular BB headers, not sidepipes, so the collector location doesn't matter as much. (BUDDY - WELD THOSE THINGS UP ALREADY!!!!) SteveG75 brings up another point. The location of your motor relative to original will determine whether you can even bolt the modified sidepipe to the frame under the door.
All of these issues led me to just say "F it" and go back to undercar exhaust with the LS1. If money is no object or you can TIG weld, a custom sidepipe setup would be the best option.
-Matt
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: DFW TX
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St. Jude Donor '07
I wish I had the time too.
You could also notch out the collector for the O2 and semi-hide it, but I don't know if it would function angles toward the engine.
Had a chance to look at some high end GTO headers the other day and it doesn't look like alot of work to custom make them. Just time to cut and fit.
You could also notch out the collector for the O2 and semi-hide it, but I don't know if it would function angles toward the engine.
Had a chance to look at some high end GTO headers the other day and it doesn't look like alot of work to custom make them. Just time to cut and fit.
Originally Posted by Scooter70
The issue is that the collector is outside of the body. The O2 sensor should be mounted above 3:00 to keep moisture out. Patsnitrovette made his fit on his TPI but I haven't seen really good pictures of how it looks. 69MyWay put his at 12:00 and ran the wire thru the gills. Some people think it looks ok but I don't like the look.
Budman is using regular BB headers, not sidepipes, so the collector location doesn't matter as much. (BUDDY - WELD THOSE THINGS UP ALREADY!!!!) SteveG75 brings up another point. The location of your motor relative to original will determine whether you can even bolt the modified sidepipe to the frame under the door.
All of these issues led me to just say "F it" and go back to undercar exhaust with the LS1. If money is no object or you can TIG weld, a custom sidepipe setup would be the best option.
-Matt
Budman is using regular BB headers, not sidepipes, so the collector location doesn't matter as much. (BUDDY - WELD THOSE THINGS UP ALREADY!!!!) SteveG75 brings up another point. The location of your motor relative to original will determine whether you can even bolt the modified sidepipe to the frame under the door.
All of these issues led me to just say "F it" and go back to undercar exhaust with the LS1. If money is no object or you can TIG weld, a custom sidepipe setup would be the best option.
-Matt
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
If I decided to do the LS swap, I think I would buy a set of painted SBC sidepipe headers chop the engine end off, mount the rest so it is the right location and then deliver the car to Kooks for some custom work. After they are done send them to Jet-Hot for coating.
You could use the BBC headers but those use 2-1/8" primaries and the SBC use 1-7/8" . I think the smaller will work well with an LS1 or LS6.
http://kookscustomheaders.com/
BTW: Kooks does a lot of LS header work.
You could use the BBC headers but those use 2-1/8" primaries and the SBC use 1-7/8" . I think the smaller will work well with an LS1 or LS6.
http://kookscustomheaders.com/
BTW: Kooks does a lot of LS header work.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,971
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From: Longwood Florida
HEY HEY ....chill fellas...
YOU are making it to hard on yourself....
Run your ls1/ls6 with factory manifolds and have a exhaust shop weld up pipe from your factory ls1 manifolds (I used ZO6 manifolds) to a factory or non-hooker sidepipes. (CHECK OUT THE LATEST HOTROD MAG HAS A 67 WITH LS1 AND SIDEPIPES)
The hooker side pipes are made into one with the HEADERS. The hooker side pipe headers is issue ... besides you ls1 motor will not be in the stock location as a tradition SBC... it will be forward or backward depending on your tranny and setup.
seriously
YOU are making it to hard on yourself....
Run your ls1/ls6 with factory manifolds and have a exhaust shop weld up pipe from your factory ls1 manifolds (I used ZO6 manifolds) to a factory or non-hooker sidepipes. (CHECK OUT THE LATEST HOTROD MAG HAS A 67 WITH LS1 AND SIDEPIPES)
The hooker side pipes are made into one with the HEADERS. The hooker side pipe headers is issue ... besides you ls1 motor will not be in the stock location as a tradition SBC... it will be forward or backward depending on your tranny and setup.
seriously
