LS Engines? +'s & -'s?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Rick B.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Hey everybody,
I'll jump into this thread now that I have a LS2 dropout from a GTO on the way. I own a '06 GTO so I have a referance for some parts and connections. Is the Fbody oil pan the only one that everyone knows will fit for sure?
I am going to measure between the two cars but just looking at it, I think I will need to get the Fbody pan kit. Also need to move the compressor since I will be redoing the whole AC anyway (hasn't been connected for years...)
Geat thread. I'll contribuite what I can as I move along with this.
And yes, a cam will go into the engine before it gets installed
Mike
I'll jump into this thread now that I have a LS2 dropout from a GTO on the way. I own a '06 GTO so I have a referance for some parts and connections. Is the Fbody oil pan the only one that everyone knows will fit for sure?
I am going to measure between the two cars but just looking at it, I think I will need to get the Fbody pan kit. Also need to move the compressor since I will be redoing the whole AC anyway (hasn't been connected for years...)
Geat thread. I'll contribuite what I can as I move along with this.
And yes, a cam will go into the engine before it gets installed
Mike
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 741
Likes: 1
From: Woodstock GA
As an F-body guy running .568/.592 in my LT1, I resemble that remark! I'm a "bottom of the page" cam guy!As David Freiburger once said, "There is no such thing as too much cam, only not enough motor!"
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 741
Likes: 1
From: Woodstock GA
I put a ls1 in my 73 roadster about a year ago. I love driving the 73 now. It has about 140 more horsepower than the L48 and gets 18 in town,24 on highway. It cost me about $6000 and I did all the work myself. The best part is going to shows and watching people check the ls1 out.I get asked all kind of questions . I checked your profile and I see you are are from Illinois. What city are you from? Here are some photos of My vette.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 668
Likes: 87
From: Bismarck IL.
I used the f body accesories.Everything worked out fine.I bought the ac bracket from a guy in California.It is set up for a Sanden compressor.PM me for the name and phone # because he is not a forum vendor. The bracket cost around $425 but it is worth because I don't have a machine shop. Thanks,Charlie.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
Hey charlie hows it going?What did you do about the steam vent tube.I capped mine off and havent had any trouble but i see alot of guys using it.I was gone to tap the top of waterpump for a fitting and run it there but my kickdown for my tv cable on my throttle body is right in the way.
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 668
Likes: 87
From: Bismarck IL.
Hey Pat,I was thinking about calling you.I hope everything is going well.I had a bung heliarced in the top of the radiator when I installed a smaller inlet.A friend who put a ls1 in his 40 Ford gave me this tip.I took off the sidepipes and ran 21/2 in . exhaust out the rear.This really woke the car up because the sidepipes were 2in and were to restrictive.Good to hear from you Pat,Charlie.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Glad you brought this one back up. This was like the father of the sticky. Some good stuff in this thread also.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Madrid Iowa
sorry if this ben addressed but...??? what about the factory gauges? How do they work? I'm interested in doing this but that throws a loop into it for me. I do have a 04 LS6 Z06 crate motor with head work and a cam in my 02 Trans Am which gets a whopping 28 on the highway thru 4.10 gears and a 6 speed and it pushes out 470rwhp. The stock ls1 pushing 358 rwhp had got 33 on the highway it had the later ls6 block which basically means nothing without the ls6 heads. I am interested in the swap in my 76 stingray just those dang gauges. any help?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
sorry if this ben addressed but...??? what about the factory gauges? How do they work? I'm interested in doing this but that throws a loop into it for me. I do have a 04 LS6 Z06 crate motor with head work and a cam in my 02 Trans Am which gets a whopping 28 on the highway thru 4.10 gears and a 6 speed and it pushes out 470rwhp. The stock ls1 pushing 358 rwhp had got 33 on the highway it had the later ls6 block which basically means nothing without the ls6 heads. I am interested in the swap in my 76 stingray just those dang gauges. any help?
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
If you have a mechanical speedo and tach then neither of those will work. The oil pressure guage won't work if it's mechanical. Coolant temp guage is iffy. The gas guage and ammeter might be the only stock guages that will work, unless you are one of the lucky ones with a working clock. I'd figure on replacing all of the guages so that 1. all of them work correctly, and 2. all of them look the same. What's an extra $400-500 in the grand scheme of things?
Rick B.
Rick B.
The only thing that I might see a problem is the oil pressure gauge, but then again that might be easily fixed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 4
From: Gig Harbor Wa
Oil pressure is easy. There is a cover plate just above the oil filter that is used for oil temp on the corvettes and is blank on the F-bodies.
I tapped the boss in the plate for 1/8 NPT and ran a line to the stock oil pressure gauge. Works great.
I tapped the boss in the plate for 1/8 NPT and ran a line to the stock oil pressure gauge. Works great.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I am using a Keisler 5 Speed behind my LS swap and by doing this I am able to use my stock speedo.
I need to figure out this oil pressure thing you are talking about. That would save me some money there because I have been thinking about going to Roger to get my tach and oil pressure converted.
I need to figure out this oil pressure thing you are talking about. That would save me some money there because I have been thinking about going to Roger to get my tach and oil pressure converted.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Madrid Iowa
Is there anyway we can get addresses of guys to contact for parts? Rodger and I believe Tom for motormounts and an a/c brace? and anybody else willing to spend time on answering endless questions? I'm getting excited about doing this, and I know I will have a number of questions. Thanks to this forum and everyone else thats here to help
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
You should be able to reach most of the LS-swappers via PM. I have the email link set up on the forum and others probably do also. Just click on the username on a post and you will get the page that allows you to send PMs and email.
My experience has been that everyone is very willing to provide help and advice.
Rick B.
My experience has been that everyone is very willing to provide help and advice.
Rick B.
