I'm about to replace the LS1 engine in my 2000 coupe with a 2002 LS6. I plan to do the work myself (with some friends' help). I'm sure I've seen posts on this topic before, but I can't seem to locate them with the search criteria I've tried. Also, some members may know of other forums or sites which would be helpful. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

 

look here http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=532835 :cheers:

 

Man, if I was in the same town I'd definitely like to help/watch/get in the way/, I love doing that stuff.

Be sure you have a service manual.
Shoot lots of pics befor you start (big life saver for me).
Mark harnesses, cables etc. with masking tape and sharpie.
Be neat.
Don't rush the job.

One other thing, drag your computer to the garage for reference to the forum and other sites.

Write a tech tips proceedure with lots of pics for the rest of us.

Keep us updated.

 

Check out ls1tech.com, you should find a lot of technical info there.

 

YANK THAT HOOD OFF, and pull that sucker out the top. thats what i just did 30 minutes ago to proejct 421 iron block. wasnt bad at all. put floor jack under cradle, take bolts from upper a arms, take bolt out of brake mounting(1), take bottom shock bolts out, lower cradle, and pull the motor forward. a motor tilter on the cherry picker is handy to keep things off the cowl area as well. really not that big of a deal. ala in all, had the motor out in about 4-5 hours total, from start to now. joe

 

I just did this number 3 months ago...
As the Admiral ordered...yank the hood off first..not only does it get it out of the way..but it lets more light in the engine compartment.

I took out the RAD, Alt, and Intake ducting. I did this job in my garage with JACKSTANDS and no lift. I don't know if you have a lift..but I am building a new garage with 13' ceilings for a lift...it makes the job a lot easier.

Once I got everything out of the way...I hooked up the "Cherry Picker", put a bolt in back of the head on the rear on one side, and one on the front of the head on the other side. Now if you have not already, disconnect the uppercontrol arms, but make sure you take the lower shock bolts out first, and put a jack under the control arm and slowly lower it...the spring keeps it under pressure. Now go find a Tranny Jack, or board with a flat jack, and a 21mm 1/2" drive socket and impact gun. Go down and take off the nuts that hold the engine cradle to the frame, you should have the tranny jack or whatever under neath the center of the cradle, take off the nuts (4) the motor will be supported by the cherry picker and the cradle and suspension will be supported by the tranny jack...don't forget to disconnect the brake lines from the firewall so it doesn't pull on the rubber hoses. carefully lower the tranny jack so that the cradle comes completely down about 3-4" below the frame...now the oil pan will clear. Did I mention disconnecting the 3 bolts on each motor mount...if I didn't do this first well after the Hood.

You also need to take the 42 bolts out that shield the torque tube....take them all off and then take out the 5 (13mm) bolts that hold in the torque tube..after you do this put the torque tube shield back in place and put about 8 bolts in it,,,front, middle, and back...this will hold the torque tube from falling down when you pull the motor off of it. Now go back up to the "cherry picker" and start rocking it fwd..you may need somebody else under the car with a pry bar to help separate the torque tube from the bell housing....BE CAREFUL....keep jacking a little on the cherry picker and rocking..as the motor starts to come fwd and up..you will need to disconnect the starter (REMEMBER THE WIRING) and the A/C PUMP (funky bolt setup) and the really important GROUND TO THE HEAD for the wiring harnesses..pay particular attention to where the ground goes or your car might not start..(for the record mine cranked over the first time..got lucky I guess). Keep in mind I did this on jack stands in my garage...if you have a lift it is so much easier...I take no responsibility for any damages or injuries that might occur..the above described is just the way I did it...to save $1300..and give me something else to do in the garage while I was watching the first Day of SHOCK and AWE....Shock and AWe for me was getting the motor out pretty easy...good luck..email, IM or whatever if you need any other tips or get stuck...Screamin Demon knows this routine too...along with a few other gearheads... :thumbs: