LS engine swap question (threads searched)
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
LS engine swap question (threads searched)
For those of you that have done this swap, I see where the engine swap brackets that are available with different mounting positioning available straight up or with a set back. Since the position of the trans is fixed by the "C" channel, that fixes the position of the engine. Which mounts do I need, straight up or back one inch? I did read several of the swap posts but this was not directly addressed. If you have a part number and where you got yours that information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 348
Likes: 28
From: Houston TX
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 635
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
Bob, I used VetteAid engine plate mounts, it moves the tranmission up about an inch. I found out while doing the swap, that way works out well, because you won't have alot of clearance issue, with the firewall, and it helps with the wiper motor. You can drill a hole in the C-beam to makeup for the inch wtih the transmission. Also depending on the transmission you use, you may not need to do anything. I used a 4L60 I rebuilt, and used my C-beam from my Dana44. I swapped a Dana44 in before I did the LQ4 swap. I will be using my C-beam from my dana36 to compensate, for moving the trans forward. I will be putting the car back together as soon as this snow melt.
I knock a hole the oil pan, hitting a merging curb, and scaring a rod bearing. I had the crak polished with new bearing and rings, and the engine is back in the car.
Randy
I knock a hole the oil pan, hitting a merging curb, and scaring a rod bearing. I had the crak polished with new bearing and rings, and the engine is back in the car.
Randy
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Eventually i plan to 5.3 LM7 swap my 84
I would be doing this on a very minimal budget and plan to keep the 700R4 and maintain as much of the wiring as i can
If possible i would like to retain the original ECU at use it to control all of the lights and climate control and any other functions it controls, and install a secondary vortec ECU and let it control the engine
my question is could i splice the temp sensor wires from the LM7 to the original wires so that i could read it on the dash, and i would do the same with the oil temp and oil pressure sensors
if the Vortec ecu requires the signal from those wires also, would it be possible for me to Y-splice the sensor wires to allow both ECUs to get signal
i plan to keep the 700R4 and use a flexplate adapter http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...oductId=835483 what else would i need
the total budget for doing this swap would be $1100
which would include the engine, $300-500
gaskets, $50-150
cam, $110-175
adapter, $80
RTV and various hoses and wiring, $25-150
which leaves me with ~$45-535 in spare money
and i would still need a TV cable adapter that i know of
would this be possible and what else do i need
I would be doing this on a very minimal budget and plan to keep the 700R4 and maintain as much of the wiring as i can
If possible i would like to retain the original ECU at use it to control all of the lights and climate control and any other functions it controls, and install a secondary vortec ECU and let it control the engine
my question is could i splice the temp sensor wires from the LM7 to the original wires so that i could read it on the dash, and i would do the same with the oil temp and oil pressure sensors
if the Vortec ecu requires the signal from those wires also, would it be possible for me to Y-splice the sensor wires to allow both ECUs to get signal
i plan to keep the 700R4 and use a flexplate adapter http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...oductId=835483 what else would i need
the total budget for doing this swap would be $1100
which would include the engine, $300-500
gaskets, $50-150
cam, $110-175
adapter, $80
RTV and various hoses and wiring, $25-150
which leaves me with ~$45-535 in spare money
and i would still need a TV cable adapter that i know of
would this be possible and what else do i need
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Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
so when using a LS PCM what sensors does it need to operate correctly, i know it needs the knock sensor, MAP, MAF, O2 and anything else related to fuel but does it need oil pressure, oil temp, and coolant temp because if possible i would like the original ECU to have those so i would be able to use the guages on the original cluster
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 635
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
Phosgene, you can uses the original sensors for the oil and temperture gauge. the LS ECM harness can be incorporate into the old harness. There is a lot of diagram schematics, that you can do a search on the internet, to help with the swap, or you can send it out and have the harness built. This is one that I used. www.LT1swap.com
Randy
Randy
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
Love to have you come by I added on to the pole barn and I'm in the process of finishing it out.
Not that far along I hope to use the stock LT housing off the tranny.
Eventually i plan to 5.3 LM7 swap my 84
I would be doing this on a very minimal budget and plan to keep the 700R4 and maintain as much of the wiring as i can
I understand that you will have to adapt the hole in the head for the temp sender as the threads are different, but I have a friend with a machine shop so that shouldn't be a problem. If your doing it on a shoe string the wiring can be reworked. I am buying a piggyback harness and ECM from Speartech in Anderson Indiana. With that set up it is a 3 wire hook up to make it run. Then you hook up the sender for oil and the watertemp. I understand you use the on board computer to run the stock gauges and other body functions. I understand you will lose the on board MPH part of the system. Heck, I don't care about the MPH.
If possible i would like to retain the original ECU at use it to control all of the lights and climate control and any other functions it controls, and install a secondary vortec ECU and let it control the engine
my question is could i splice the temp sensor wires from the LM7 to the original wires so that i could read it on the dash, and i would do the same with the oil temp and oil pressure sensors
if the Vortec ecu requires the signal from those wires also, would it be possible for me to Y-splice the sensor wires to allow both ECUs to get signal
i plan to keep the 700R4 and use a flexplate adapter http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...oductId=835483 what else would i need
the total budget for doing this swap would be $1100
which would include the engine, $300-500
gaskets, $50-150
cam, $110-175
adapter, $80
RTV and various hoses and wiring, $25-150
which leaves me with ~$45-535 in spare money
and i would still need a TV cable adapter that i know of
would this be possible and what else do i need
I would be doing this on a very minimal budget and plan to keep the 700R4 and maintain as much of the wiring as i can
I understand that you will have to adapt the hole in the head for the temp sender as the threads are different, but I have a friend with a machine shop so that shouldn't be a problem. If your doing it on a shoe string the wiring can be reworked. I am buying a piggyback harness and ECM from Speartech in Anderson Indiana. With that set up it is a 3 wire hook up to make it run. Then you hook up the sender for oil and the watertemp. I understand you use the on board computer to run the stock gauges and other body functions. I understand you will lose the on board MPH part of the system. Heck, I don't care about the MPH.
If possible i would like to retain the original ECU at use it to control all of the lights and climate control and any other functions it controls, and install a secondary vortec ECU and let it control the engine
my question is could i splice the temp sensor wires from the LM7 to the original wires so that i could read it on the dash, and i would do the same with the oil temp and oil pressure sensors
if the Vortec ecu requires the signal from those wires also, would it be possible for me to Y-splice the sensor wires to allow both ECUs to get signal
i plan to keep the 700R4 and use a flexplate adapter http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...oductId=835483 what else would i need
the total budget for doing this swap would be $1100
which would include the engine, $300-500
gaskets, $50-150
cam, $110-175
adapter, $80
RTV and various hoses and wiring, $25-150
which leaves me with ~$45-535 in spare money
and i would still need a TV cable adapter that i know of
would this be possible and what else do i need
so when using a LS PCM what sensors does it need to operate correctly, i know it needs the knock sensor, MAP, MAF, O2 and anything else related to fuel but does it need oil pressure, oil temp, and coolant temp because if possible i would like the original ECU to have those so i would be able to use the guages on the original cluster
Phosgene, you can uses the original sensors for the oil and temperture gauge. the LS ECM harness can be incorporate into the old harness. There is a lot of diagram schematics, that you can do a search on the internet, to help with the swap, or you can send it out and have the harness built. This is one that I used. www.LT1swap.com
Randy
Randy
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 541
Likes: 60
From: Auburndale Florida 1990 Vert, 6 speed
I think if you use the stock LT Bellhousing you would need an adapter plate like ZF doc used. Depending on the bellhousing set up you use, it will determine how far forward or rearward your engine will sit which might also dictate which motor mounts might work best for you.