LS engine mount options
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 538
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From: Johnsonville Wi
LS engine mount options
Greetings everyone. I'm the new owner of a partially completed '84 LS1 / T-56 swap coupe. One of the things that makes it partially complete is that it lacks engine mounts. Unfortunately, the stock engine mounts were removed when it was built as a LS1 / auto car. Those mounts didn't hold up well and right now the car has no engine mounts what-so-ever. I've been doing some research on the LS swaps and how to mount the engine. I read through this article (http://tech.corvettecentral.com/2010...-c4-corvettes/) which shows how they made custom engine mounts for an LS using old Dodge truck motor mounts on fabricated stands. My question is; why wouldn't you just look at staying with stock C5 style engine mounts which can be found in stock rubber, poly or solid if you would like instead of crappy old rubber mounts off of an old Mopar? It looks like C5 mounts would be thicker than these sandwhich mounts but since you are fabbing the stands on the car, couldn't you just build them to accommodate the thicker C5 mount? The car actually came with a set of the Mopar mounts but I would much rather use something like HMS's poly mounts (which come in a shorter version as well).
Thank you in advance,
-Tim
Thank you in advance,
-Tim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 6
From: Los Altos CA
Not doing the work myself...but...don't most folks just use the stock mounts and adapter plates (on the engine)? As I recall, early swaps did some hacking and welding but nowaday's adapter plates are available from several vendors.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Johnsonville Wi
Unfortunately, the stock engine mounts were removed when it was built as a LS1 / auto car.
-Tim
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
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Chaos, COPO or fc soldier will chime in soon. They are LS C4 experts.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 8
From: Taft TN
C5/6 mounts will work. Since you need mounts on you k member, look for pics of a LT k member. Its just a pad for the stands. Early suspension will not fit the LT k member. I have a pic some where in a thread.
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Johnsonville Wi
Great, I was assuming that just about any mount could be used since you are going to be custom fabbing everything anyway but wanted to ask the question. I plan on making stands that will work with C5 mounts and get the poly ones from Hinson. I like the idea of using the shorter version but I might stick with the stock height so I can interchange any stock size mount if I wish.
-Tim
-Tim
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 26
From: Winchester VA
Cruise-In V Veteran
I took a look at the Mopar mounts and a stock C5 mount and the picture below of the kind of stand you will likely be building. I'm guessing you have the two tone blue car that's been for sale here a couple times.
If you look closely at the pic below, where they put the stands, it appears you may be limited by the lower control arm mount as to wide you can go and how low you can go . The lower you try to put the stand (to make up for the taller C5 mount) the more inboard you need to come to avoid the control arm mount. It looks to me like they went with the Mopar because they needed something short that also had an offset.
So just be aware, there may be a good reason they went that route and obviously, test fit.
If you look closely at the pic below, where they put the stands, it appears you may be limited by the lower control arm mount as to wide you can go and how low you can go . The lower you try to put the stand (to make up for the taller C5 mount) the more inboard you need to come to avoid the control arm mount. It looks to me like they went with the Mopar because they needed something short that also had an offset.
So just be aware, there may be a good reason they went that route and obviously, test fit.
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From: Newport News Virginia
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Johnsonville Wi
Steve85 - you have a PM
Black89Z51 - the original engine mounts in the car were removed at one point; those adapters are the perfect solution. . . but I no longer have that option. . .
Black89Z51 - the original engine mounts in the car were removed at one point; those adapters are the perfect solution. . . but I no longer have that option. . .