1971 corvette LS swap.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 697
1971 corvette LS swap.
I've installed my LS1/4L60E in 71 vert. Dropped right in with no drama other than my wife who was helping me very worried the chains would break on the cherry picker.
Question for those that done this before. I will reuse my old engine harness for the starter. Has anyone changed /upgraded the harness that goes to the alternator? Looks like sometime in the life of the car the external regulator was removed, wiring modified for internal a regulator alternator.
Regards,
Question for those that done this before. I will reuse my old engine harness for the starter. Has anyone changed /upgraded the harness that goes to the alternator? Looks like sometime in the life of the car the external regulator was removed, wiring modified for internal a regulator alternator.
Regards,
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 14
From: Mobile Alabama
I've installed my LS1/4L60E in 71 vert. Dropped right in with no drama other than my wife who was helping me very worried the chains would break on the cherry picker.
Question for those that done this before. I will reuse my old engine harness for the starter. Has anyone changed /upgraded the harness that goes to the alternator? Looks like sometime in the life of the car the external regulator was removed, wiring modified for internal a regulator alternator.
Regards,
Question for those that done this before. I will reuse my old engine harness for the starter. Has anyone changed /upgraded the harness that goes to the alternator? Looks like sometime in the life of the car the external regulator was removed, wiring modified for internal a regulator alternator.
Regards,
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...eeds-help.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
Your old alternator was about 60 amps. New ones can be up to 240 amps and is also internally regulated. Electric fans can pull up to 60 amps alone.
Depending on how you wire it, you should minimally upgrade the wiring to the distribution point (horn relay in the original harness).
If you also upgrade the wiring to the starter, for charging the battery, it will mess with your ammeter though.
Depending on how you wire it, you should minimally upgrade the wiring to the distribution point (horn relay in the original harness).
If you also upgrade the wiring to the starter, for charging the battery, it will mess with your ammeter though.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Here is my LS swap. The project got a little derailed due to some personal issues but back on track now. I run a PSI harness but also added a heavy gauge wire down to a terminal block. I run high amp like the fans fuel pump and the computer from the terminal block. The 71 wire harness was never designed to carry the heavy loads now being run. Make sure you have heavier enough wire.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...o-my-72-a.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...o-my-72-a.html
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 234
Likes: 24
From: Warsaw Ohio
Alternator with internal regulator was factory in 1971. I built an all new Wiring Harness for My 70 LS swap . And I ran a 8 gauge wire for the Alternator with a fuseable link just in case. I also used a Fuse and Relay box from a late model Impala for the extra circuits needed. See pics of it here : https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-lq4-swap.html
