1997 SS Camaro LT1 swap to LS1
#1
1997 SS Camaro LT1 swap to LS1
Hey guys,
I am new to this forum and have a question.
I have access to and LS1 Corvette engine cheap and runs great. The obvious thing is the LS1 has a lot more go then the stock LT1.
My main question is I really do love my ram air hood. Can I make the hood functional with a LS1 Swap?
I have seen numerous threads where people put the LS1 into Camaro's but have not seen one put in the SS.
Lastly....would the SLP exhaust also be lost. I love the sound of the exhaust.
Thanks in advance.
I am new to this forum and have a question.
I have access to and LS1 Corvette engine cheap and runs great. The obvious thing is the LS1 has a lot more go then the stock LT1.
My main question is I really do love my ram air hood. Can I make the hood functional with a LS1 Swap?
I have seen numerous threads where people put the LS1 into Camaro's but have not seen one put in the SS.
Lastly....would the SLP exhaust also be lost. I love the sound of the exhaust.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by element13; 12-17-2011 at 12:13 PM.
#2
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I dont think without major modding the ram air hood would work, but the exhaust could be modded to work. My question to this swap is, with all the stuff u will have to change over, if u want an LS 4th gen, sell or trade yours for a 98-02 LS1 camaro. it would be much cheaper to do and would be seamless sense its factory built.
#4
Sorry fixed it. To my credit it was almost 2am in the morning when I wrote that.
Thanks guys for the reply.
I know it isn't an easy swap but that doesn't bother me. My main issue is the ram air. As I stated I love the hood and really don't want to eliminate the hood.
Since the engine is free...I figured I would ask.
When you say major mods...any idea what we are talking about.
Thanks guys for the reply.
I know it isn't an easy swap but that doesn't bother me. My main issue is the ram air. As I stated I love the hood and really don't want to eliminate the hood.
Since the engine is free...I figured I would ask.
When you say major mods...any idea what we are talking about.
#5
Trunion King
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Sorry fixed it. To my credit it was almost 2am in the morning when I wrote that.
Thanks guys for the reply.
I know it isn't an easy swap but that doesn't bother me. My main issue is the ram air. As I stated I love the hood and really don't want to eliminate the hood.
Since the engine is free...I figured I would ask.
When you say major mods...any idea what we are talking about.
Thanks guys for the reply.
I know it isn't an easy swap but that doesn't bother me. My main issue is the ram air. As I stated I love the hood and really don't want to eliminate the hood.
Since the engine is free...I figured I would ask.
When you say major mods...any idea what we are talking about.
I'm sure you can modify the SS air intake box to fit the snout of the LS intake manifold.
Go search the conversion through google. the_merv, have done this swap with his lt1 camaro and have had a extensive wiring experience through the swap.
#6
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No problem, the spelling thing is just a pet peeve of mine. But yeah, you'll have to completely redo the electrical systems, the fuel system, the exhaust, and I think some front suspension components.
Also if it is a true SS, it's probably worth more kept stock with the original motor. They didn't make near as many LT1 SS cars, and I imagine they'll be valuable eventually.
Also if it is a true SS, it's probably worth more kept stock with the original motor. They didn't make near as many LT1 SS cars, and I imagine they'll be valuable eventually.
#7
Your exact reason is why I have kept the car stock.
According to Chevrolet they only made 56 Black SS Convertibles 6/Spds. It doesn't actually tell you how many came with the FULL SLP package which mine has.
I considered selling it but Blue Book is like 7k so for that price I figured I would hold on to it.
Then this option of the LS1 came up.
According to Chevrolet they only made 56 Black SS Convertibles 6/Spds. It doesn't actually tell you how many came with the FULL SLP package which mine has.
I considered selling it but Blue Book is like 7k so for that price I figured I would hold on to it.
Then this option of the LS1 came up.
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#8
Although the LS1 is way more friendly to building and making power, I think you'd be ruining that car to swap an LS into. 96-97 SS's are already fairly rare as it is. I had a 97' SS and wanted an LS1, so I gave it to my dad since I owed him money and he helped a few times fixing it so I went and bought an 02' SS. Now that he has it I doubt he's gonna get rid of it unless he finds a 70'-73' to buy (which I wouldn't mind at all ). If I ever decide to buy it back from him I'll probably end up just rebuilding it. If you got a cheap LS1, I'd personally go find a roller third gen to throw it in to. Just my 2cents.
#10
Lol he might be interested in it. He's more of the old school "I like everything stock" kinda guys, but I'll put a word in. My parents are in Mooresville, NC (Charlotte area) so they're not to far from GA.
Edit: I, on the other hand, would do anything for that car! Looks amazing.
Edit: I, on the other hand, would do anything for that car! Looks amazing.
#12
Hey, I'm Camarorokr's dad. Post some more pic.'s.... What year is it? I see it has the 72-73 grill and if it has has the shorty spoiler that would be from a 70 1/2- 71. I had a 70 1/2 and a 72 in the past. Camarorokr is going to take some pics of the 97 SS this week.
#13
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https://ls1tech.com/forums/chevrolet...cond-gens.html
#14
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This swap isn't hard at all. Redo the entire wiring harness and fuel system? Huh? You repin half a dozen or so connectors and ground and power the pcm. As far as fuek grab a Corvette fuel filter and it'll clip onto the LS1 intake and LT1 fuel lines. '97 is actually the easiest year as far as the wiring goes. Then to get it to bolt up to the car you just need a LS1 K-Memeber and then modify ypur stock trans cross member. The exhaust will bolt right up with a new LS Y Pipe. I've actually done this swap in my 96 z28. Now would I LS swap a perfectly good SS? Probably not.
#15
Yeah. That has been my issue all along. How much do I modify my SS without ruining how few of them exist and devalue the car as a whole.
I love the car but I also love building and tinkering with engines and only have so much space.
Thanks for the input and I guess I will hold tight and start looking for another toy and figure out how much space I can spare.
I love the car but I also love building and tinkering with engines and only have so much space.
Thanks for the input and I guess I will hold tight and start looking for another toy and figure out how much space I can spare.
#16
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Hey, its a 72. I didnt like the over the top rear spoiler that came on the 72-73s, so i used the 70-71 spoiler. I was originally going with a spoiler delete, but when i had to go witha cowl hood because of my engine set-up, the car didnt look balanced to me. Its nothing resembling # matching. Its an X drag car that came from the factory with a 307, powerglide, in green w saddle interior (I think i just threw-up in my mouth. LOL) so i didnt destroy a valuable piece of muscle car history. just bought a shell and did it the way i wanted.