Earl Filter

iTrader: (1)

I was going to make my Crown Vic LSx powered, but then I had a brilliant (?) last minute idea. I picked up this '97 Astro from our state highway department just a few minutes ago in an online auction. Get ready for a lot of questions, most of 'em dumb ones. Now the hunt for the drivetrain begins. I'm thinking a cammed 5.3 to start, but will go with whatever engine/trans package I can find complete for the right price. I think the front end/suspension stuff is similar to an S10, right? It's a dual fuel truck, with a propane system in it, too. I wonder if that can be converted to a nitrous bottle? Where are the LSx powered Astros? There have to be a few somewhere.

Wolfsblut

I found these two:
1 & 2 (build pics)

G-Body

iTrader: (4)

There used to be one on here. IIRC his name was LS1PWRD

hookemdevils22

iTrader: (12)

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!! yes, yes, and YES!!! go 5.3L turbo - i'd like to see how you could make that work. good luck with the build. it's too bad it's not one of these - then you could make a fast getaway when you're hanging out at the middle school (that's terrible, i apologize for that statement...)

06 6.0 GTO

I have actually seen a 5.3 swap in person. Cool idea.

Just make the interior a bit better and you got a pimp *** ride.

N21923

iTrader: (8)

I've got one. Tons of fun. It'll lay the smackdown on a stock mustang from any light in town. I left the motor stock since it's a daily driver, but it'll still move outta the way.

Just a word of advice, it's NOT an easy swap. I bet I've done 20 engine swaps in my day (first car was an 81 Civic with an Accord motor... way before Vin Diesel came around), and this was by far the biggest PITA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlIvn19xgfQ

Irish350

iTrader: (14)

didnt the older ones come with SBCs? id think fitment itself would be similar.. just the fact that its a big (ugly ) van would make it harder.

love the sleeper stuff

N21923

iTrader: (8)

No, pre96 came with 4.3s or 2.5 4 bangers, post 96 only had 4.3s. LSs are longer and taller than SBCs, with taller heads too, anyway (even if it's only 1" or so). The oil pan is shaped different and the accessaries are mounted differently. Basically, when the engine is crammed in SOOO tight, 1" here and 1" there might as well be a mile.

Kenova

iTrader: (4)

I love the roof rack and ladder. Nice touch. I'll bet the cops wouldn't see you even if they were looking for you.

Ken

N21923

iTrader: (8)

Ya, I've built a ton of swap cars, some LS1 RX7s, and others. When I come home and tell my wife about some Mustang or another van I killed at the light, she rolls her eyes and says, "you have more fun in that van than you do your cars...." lol.

$750 L98

iTrader: (7)

Jesus, now I have no excuse not to swap a fat LQ9 into my '83 G30 lol! I'll be watching this.

ccreddell

Any updates?

Earl Filter

iTrader: (1)

Yep, ditched the Astro for yet another Jaguar. I just couldn't pull the trigger on doing that Astro. Bone stock was a PITA to keep on the road at 75mph, and it was as comfortable as sitting on a park bench and putting both feet in a bucket. Sorry!