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LSA Swapped 86 Vert (in progress)

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Old Dec 30, 2015 | 05:20 PM
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Default LSA Swapped 86 Vert (in progress)

Hello everyone

I am in the middle of a Lsa install in my 86 convertible to be ready for slalom this summer!

Parts list/Progress/cost:

Lq4 block fitted with forged pistons and rods- at machine shop currently----$5000 all funds CND.....still waiting....june 14 2016

L92 heads rebuilt-complete..roller rockers...new valves ----$1800

LSA lower bought from ebay 5000 km takeoff----$750 ported for 102 tb, isolator installed

ZL1 Lid - new -----$400

solid isolator install ----$75...done

self ported snout to match 102 mm throttlebody(ebay one)--$200..done

107962 60lb siemens injectors----$450

LSA stock rail----$350

walbro 450 in tank---$200...done

aeromotive reg and guage ----$300...done

1/2" line ran for feed ss 3/8 return..$150...done

4L80E running as is no rebuild with stage 2 shift kit(stock convertor atm)---$1500

dana 44 swap - complete---$900 minus what i sell my D36 and suspension for done dana 36 sold $700

some sort of brake upgrade unsure of which yet ---tbd.....

DRM rear suspension brackets---$300 ....done

DRM brake bias spring---$30

Adjustable camber rods ----$300...done

Poly bushings everywhere--complete--$400

6 point hoop with removable door bars---$750...in mock up phase

corbeau a4 red pair---$1300.... deal found! $700 installed!

stage 3 brian tooley racing camshaft...love that chop!...$600

fab exhaust from c5 manifold to ss l88 system including making flanges ...$150...done

battery relocation to passenger under speaker compartment with aluminum sealed lid ,vented...done

the photo with the balancer shows the 1/8" clearance between LSA
balancer and rack and pinion just enough to get a belt down there, this is with an engine positioned forward 1 inch to clear the wiper motor and rear of blower which now has also just enough clearance

hood modification...plan atm..cut hood along both sides of mini cowl peel and raise to mimmick a toledo pro 2 3/4 ...wish me luck

side note : if someone were to do this using a stock cts-v lid or ls9 lid i think it would clear the stock hood .lots of room at the rear just not at the front which is where the zl1 lid is much to tall ...1"-1.5" too tall at the front

car is close to completion still waiting on my engine which went for balancing on wednesday last week
once i get that its assembly and install time
Cant freakin wait !!
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Last edited by StarleX86Vert; Jul 27, 2016 at 11:29 AM.
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Old Dec 30, 2015 | 06:14 PM
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Default Hows the build going?

Awesome build, any updates?

I live in Airdrie, I'm going to start a LQ9 swap in my 85 corvette. Really like to see some new pics.
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Old Dec 30, 2015 | 07:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike Holmen
Awesome build, any updates?

I live in Airdrie, I'm going to start a LQ9 swap in my 85 corvette. Really like to see some new pics.
hi mike

no new updates yet but i will be fabbing the trans bracket to c beam this weekend i will be taking many photos i will post them i also will take photos of the modification to the motor mount cradles that is done



best of luck with your swap!
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Old Dec 31, 2015 | 10:23 AM
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Epic build buddy, LSA blower. I could only dream.

wow, I can't believe the difference in the dana 36 to the 44. I have two dana 70 and a dana 80 (both disks) way to over kill for a vette.

I'm just collecting pieces for my swap. My build is on a tight budget and wont be anything exotic.

Sure hoping that my 700r4 holds the lq9 for abit.
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Old Jan 2, 2016 | 03:19 PM
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Are you keeping AC?

Last edited by esham; Jan 2, 2016 at 03:22 PM. Reason: added question
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Old Jan 3, 2016 | 09:30 PM
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WOW, That's going to be one sweet ride!
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 04:52 PM
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Originally Posted by esham


Are you keeping AC?
Hi esham I do plan on keeping the a/c currently i have removed the condenser lines and dryer i probably will be putting in a small compressor and condenser out of something japanese but thats low down on my list

Last edited by StarleX86Vert; Jan 6, 2016 at 04:57 PM.
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Old Jan 18, 2016 | 09:01 PM
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Awesome build buddy, what heads you going to run? I just bought a set of CNC ported LS3 and a LS9 cam for mine. I'm just going to run a FAST intake on my car.Hoping to break the 500HP mark for the engine, maybe that wishful thinking, probably be 400HP.

Last edited by Mike Holmen; Jan 18, 2016 at 09:10 PM.
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Old Jan 19, 2016 | 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike Holmen
Awesome build buddy, what heads you going to run? I just bought a set of CNC ported LS3 and a LS9 cam for mine. I'm just going to run a FAST intake on my car.Hoping to break the 500HP mark for the engine, maybe that wishful thinking, probably be 400HP.
That sounds like it should be making some good power is the ls9 cam good for N/A applications? i was considering the ls9 cam for my build i have not settled on a cam choice yet
I am running L92 heads
Have you started your build or are you gathering parts currently?
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Old Jan 19, 2016 | 12:01 PM
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not sure how good the cam will be NA. At some point I plan to put a turbo on the car. Summit had the cam on sale for $124. The heads cost me $680, with valve springs. Picked up a fast ls fuel injection system as well. I'm going to use a holley oil pan.

Not sure if I'm going to throw a stroker crank (408in) and some rods in it. I'm just collecting pieces. My car is a pretty solid runner. Not sure if the engine will make it into the car. Found a 78 vette for 3000, with a blown motor.
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Old Jan 19, 2016 | 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike Holmen
not sure how good the cam will be NA. At some point I plan to put a turbo on the car. Summit had the cam on sale for $124. The heads cost me $680, with valve springs. Picked up a fast ls fuel injection system as well. I'm going to use a holley oil pan.

Not sure if I'm going to throw a stroker crank (408in) and some rods in it. I'm just collecting pieces. My car is a pretty solid runner. Not sure if the engine will make it into the car. Found a 78 vette for 3000, with a blown motor.
Sweet score on the 78 which ever route you go should be lots of fun!
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Old Feb 10, 2016 | 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by zcarbon
Hey Zcarbon

Heres some update photos


Last edited by StarleX86Vert; Feb 11, 2016 at 10:43 AM.
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Old Feb 10, 2016 | 05:42 PM
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You gonna use a tig on the oil pan? Probably be a bear to weld. Best thing to do is to sand blast the pan. Makes welding abit easier.
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Old Feb 11, 2016 | 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike Holmen
You gonna use a tig on the oil pan? Probably be a bear to weld. Best thing to do is to sand blast the pan. Makes welding abit easier.
Hi mike
I am planning on Having the pan tig welded i have found a couple people on kijiji who are willing to do the job as i do not tig weld
thanks for the sandblasting tip

i plan on having all the mounting and oil pan fab work done this weekend and ill be sending it for welding

hows your build coming?

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Old Feb 11, 2016 | 11:09 AM
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my 85 vette build is going very slow, still waiting on parts. Still on the fence if I'm going to use the LS9 cam. I bought the LS3 cnc heads, but the valve springs that come in the head are border line for the LS9 cam. Might just throw in the LQ9 engine as is for this year and use some 100-200hp NOS shot for extra power for now.
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Old Feb 11, 2016 | 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike Holmen
my 85 vette build is going very slow, still waiting on parts. Still on the fence if I'm going to use the LS9 cam. I bought the LS3 cnc heads, but the valve springs that come in the head are border line for the LS9 cam. Might just throw in the LQ9 engine as is for this year and use some 100-200hp NOS shot for extra power for now.
Cool man
does the lq9 have the front cam sensor?my lq4 did not so i am having to buy a front timing cover in order to use the ls9 cam along with some stout springs
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Old Feb 12, 2016 | 11:39 AM
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I'm going to run the FAST EFI 2.0 ls swap kit. FAST told me that the kit is designed to run the truck style cam sensor. You have to get another cable from them to run the newer front cover cam sensor.

For the LQ9 engine as is stock configuration but has the professional products intake manifold, billet fuel rail and 96mm cable throttle body. Not my best buy to date, but it was cheap.
Other mods are Holley cast LS exhaust manifolds, LS style MSD coil packs and Holley muscle car oil pan. GM corvette style front accessory kit, with AC.

I'm going to get it running on an engine stand prior to installing the engine into a car. Just hoping for a quick and simple swap out.

Next purchases is the EV6 injectors, TCI flexplate and a LS style starter.
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Old Feb 17, 2016 | 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike Holmen
I'm going to run the FAST EFI 2.0 ls swap kit. FAST told me that the kit is designed to run the truck style cam sensor. You have to get another cable from them to run the newer front cover cam sensor.

For the LQ9 engine as is stock configuration but has the professional products intake manifold, billet fuel rail and 96mm cable throttle body. Not my best buy to date, but it was cheap.
Other mods are Holley cast LS exhaust manifolds, LS style MSD coil packs and Holley muscle car oil pan. GM corvette style front accessory kit, with AC.

I'm going to get it running on an engine stand prior to installing the engine into a car. Just hoping for a quick and simple swap out.

Next purchases is the EV6 injectors, TCI flexplate and a LS style starter.
Thats cool is the TB an ebay one?i am using a 102 i got from ebay looks good to me
just got the pan Back from welding looks good
just made another list about 17 items long until im running
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Old Feb 17, 2016 | 05:33 PM
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Yes, it is and wasn't a good deal The TB didn't come with all the sensors. It was part a package deal. I regret buying both the intake and TB.

Ya there is definitely a long list of items to do the swap.

Congrats on getting the pan off the list. You going have to post pictures for us to drool on.

You watch the LSA build that they had on spike channel on the weekend? That engine was a monster

Last edited by Mike Holmen; Feb 17, 2016 at 05:34 PM.
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Old Mar 1, 2016 | 04:29 PM
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[QUOTE=Mike Holmen;1591578418]Yes, it is and wasn't a good deal The TB didn't come with all the sensors. It was part a package deal. I regret buying both the intake and TB.

Ya there is definitely a long list of items to do the swap.

Congrats on getting the pan off the list. You going have to post pictures for us to drool on.

You watch the LSA build that they had on spike channel on the weekend? That engine was a monster[/QUOTE

Nope i dont have cable but i tried to watch it on their website but it was terribly slow..

heres some more photos....i just started cleaning up the harness this weekend with all this nice weather we've been having im gettting anxious to get this rollin!
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