So when you went with the LQ9, you just had to piece together the accessories, an intake/rails/injectors, trans, and harness? This seems like a pretty viable option, especially considering I could potentially source an LQ9 short block, and then top it off with a set of LS6 heads and intake setup...then source the F-body accessories, get a harness and pcm, pick up a small cam, and locate a set of coils and go to work...

Decisions, decisions....

 

I only had alternator and AC, so I made my own brackets with truck spacing. I did use an LS1 intake ($35 with fuel rail). You can use the truck injectors with aftermarket fuel rails too.
Batwing corvette oil pan $100 and 02 covette exhaust $40. Fits nicely.

 

Ok good deal, thanks for the pic. I just have to do the power steering and alternator...no A/C...so I suppose it would be easy enough to source those items.

What did you guys do for gauges? Use your stock ones? Cable-X box for the speedo?

 

Center console gauges are all stock. I drilled and tapped the drivers side brass block plug for the 68s 1/2" NPT sender.
Speedo is stock. Richmond 6 speed has a mechanical output.
Tach is converted to electric. I had an Isspro tach in the basement with the same sweep and even same faceplate screw positions. Gutted it, mounted in the vette housing, reused the 68 face and needle.
Btw, you can buy a PS/Alternator bracket for vette, f body, or truck spacing from Kwik.

 

I use all of the original gauges. Cable-X box between the T56 and speedo, a 75 electric tach that I swapped faces for the 72, and I tapped the fitting above the oil filter for the mechanical oil pressure gauge.

The ECU has to be reprogrammed for the tach pulse count to be correct. I haven't done that yet so my tach is reading ~1/2 of true rpms.



Rick B.

 

OK, so it took a while, but I finally sold off all the GEN I stuff today, and I'm off to look at a 2000 LS1 with T56 tomorrow. Time to start buying some parts. Back in the game! Stay tuned.

 

Are you planning to rebuild an older motor, or is it with low low miles? I would spend the extra coins to get a newer low mileage motor. Don't forget there are some great buys on near new Iron block motors out there, the difference between an aluminum and an Iron motor is like 60 pounds in weight. You would have to change out the intake, unless you are running a raised hood, due to the taller intakes.

You might even find a newer Carmaro motor for a great buy. I could go on and on, but I'm just trying to through some Ideals out there, I believe a lot of people jump on what ever they come across before they really look to see what's on the market, and the market seems to change daily.

Good luck, I hope you find a deal.

Riggs

 

Thanks for the advice. The motor and trans, along with a ton of other parts, belong to a friend of mine. He bought a wrecked car at auction with the intention on using the engine and trans but never got around to it. He's giving me a steal on everything I want from the car.

I have to be as budget minded as possible with this build, since I know in the long run it is going to nickel and dime me to death. That doesn't mean I'm going to go out and buy a motor with a ton of miles or the first thing I see, but this deal is truly going to put me way ahead of where I thought I'd be at this point.

 

I'm finally rolling on the project. I have an LS1 with a T56 that will be going into the car. Starting to purchase parts needed for the swap and complete small projects, one at a time.

I finished with an engine bay cleaning and repaint tonight. Tomorrow, I start pulling the interior out to do the necessary mods under the dash, and also lay down some heat shielding and sound deadener throughout the interior. I have a manual trans pedal setup on the way to me, so I'll be getting that mounted up and getting the clutch master cylinder and lines worked out...which leads me to a question...

I had PM'd and emailed Josh at Custom Image in regards to a set of his mounts and also his clutch master cylinder, but I haven't heard back from him all week. I'm sure he's busy, and I should probably call him. But does anyone else make a bracket that mounts a standard F-body or vette clutch master cylinder at the correct angle to line up with the C3 pedals? I know I saw one somewhere online, but I can't for the life of me remember where.

Also need a little clarification on which motor mounts to go with. Like I said...was going to go with the Custom Image mounts, but just in case...which other mounts sit the motor back an inch and won't necessitate clearance of the alternator or crossmember?

Thanks guys. More pics soon.

 

Your car looks Great Good Luck with your swap. I just finished my 74 convertable with an LS6 and a 4l60e.

 

Man, hope you know what you're doing, as a well set up 406 is one hell of a motor. I had a factory LS1 6 speed C5 that was pretty nice, with good fuel milage, but no match performance wise to some with well built 406's. My current Vette's a C6 LS7 car, and this one really impresses. If I was going through all the trouble of a conversion, probably go LS2 or 3.

 

Quil, I would try Josh again by way of Email several times, they probably get lost through the spam filter, I have had this happen with alot of vender's that I have used. If you could call him, that would be the best route to go.

Since I have an automatic trans setup I'm not sure of what plates work, so I will let some one else chime in. I know Gordonm is running a Manual trans LS setup, He could setup you up in the right direction.



Riggs

 

I was able to get the bracket tha tKeisler uses for their hyd clutch setup. I just got the bracket and am using a Tilton MC for the clutch and TO bearing. It is angled perfectly and works very well. I am using the LS style TO bearing that is on the front of the transmission.

 

Got quite a bit done today so far. Spent most of my time getting the interior removed and a little final touch up on the engine bay. Still have to sand and repaint the brake booster and do something with the master cylinder...



Masking tape is still in place, but you get the idea. Looks a lot better than before...



Look closely and you'll see the original color of the car...



And here's a shot of the new motor and trans. I'll start pulling everything off and get it prepped for paint. I'll also be sending the harness off to Speartech (probably) to have them rework it for me. I also have a new LS2 timing kit (chain, sprockets, etc) on the way, and will be ordering an LS6 oil pump to install before the motor goes in. I'm also debating going ahead with a small cam and valvesprings as well...will depend on how the finances look when everything starts shaking out. Anyways...

 

If you detail the LS like you're doing the engine bay, It's going to look very nice.


Riggs.

 

Do the cam swap. The LS motors respond very well to a better cam. Yes it a little extra, but you will be rewarded with better performance.

 

Thanks. I'm trying to take my time and do this right...don't want to get in a position down the road where I pop the hood and say, "Man I wish I had done X when the engine was out."

Here's a pic of the last LS6 intake I painted. Not sure if I want to go with this color again, or a different one. Thinking about carbon black, with the metal flake, or maybe gloss black...





No doubt its worth the money. I'm actually a lot more experienced with the LS engines than I am the conventional Gen I SBC...this will be my 6th LSx car. I'm thinking something small for now, like a 224 or 228R style cam...maybe a Hot Cam if I come into a deal on one. Something like that. Would probably be a good move to get some new valve springs in there anyways.

 

Got the wiring harness off and labeled tonight. I'm debating whether or not to try to modify this thing myself, or just pony up the money and send it out and then get it back ready to go with relays, fuses, OBDII connector, etc.

Tomorrow I pull off the AIR, EGR, manifolds, etc. Will probably go ahead and pull the intake, and pop the valve covers as well to inspect.

 

That's the same thoughts I had when I started mine. The only thought I have now is that I should have pulled the body and painted the frame, Oh well, I can do that in the years to come, mine is more of a driver then it is a show piece any ways.

Riggs.

 

I sent my first harness out. The second one, I did myself. Not too difficult with help from this site.
http://www.lt1swap.com/2000harness.htm