Announcing a "newish" LS-Swap and Retrofit publication, finally!!!
08-08-2012, 11:35 PM
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LSxGuy widda 9sec Mustang
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Announcing a "newish" LS-Swap and Retrofit publication, finally!!! Hello fellow members of LS1tech. With Internet Brands permission, I am excited to finally announce formally about my most recent published work and my 3rd publication thus far. This has actually been out for a little over a year now and I’m sure many of the members may have run across it on your own... but I’ve taken some time off the forums and online sites in general in the last year to handle a few things. So I never had a chance to post about it until now..... better late than never huh?! 
This book/manual is all about LS specific engine retrofits and swaps. The title is called “LS-Series Engines: The Complete Swap Manual”. Ideally, the book can help both the LS novice unfamiliar with anything LS, and an LS swap hobbyist. There might even be some info helpful for the seasoned pro, although it was written with the mindset that the reader has not ever performed a LS swap.
A little about the book itself. It took me about 10 months of my time to compile the project, and then about 6 months from there until it was in printed paper form as you would see it today. The book itself has about 50,000 words of main and sidebar text and 420+ fill color images and diagrams with about 20,000 additional words for image captions. The final product ended up taking up 191 pages when in print form.
Most info is based on GM RWD platforms as that is what I do and had available on hand locally to utilize. There are install pictures from swaps I performed while writing the publication: 1967 Chevelle LS3/4L60E, 1969 Camaro LS7/T56, and my own 1967 Camaro 5.3L (at the time), plus many from other LS swap sources and car shows I attended.
To introduce a sample of what the book/manual included, here is a list of the chapter titles which give a taste on the subjects included:
-Preview the first 23 pages here!-
CH1: Introduction to LS-Series Engines and Planning Your Project
CH2: LS Engine Mounting Solutions
CH3: Engine EFI and Ignition Controls
CH4: Fuel System Design
CH5: Induction and Exhaust Systems
CH6: Engine Accessories and Cooling Systems
CH7: Transmission, Torque Converters, and Clutches
Ch8: Performance Upgrades and Power Adders
CH9: Startup and Troubleshooting Guide
This publication is available from Motorbooks directly such as in my signature links, or from retail outlets like Barnes and Noble, Hastings, etc, and also on Amazon.com. If you pick up an extra item from Amazon, you can also get it shipped for free.
Just like any technical book... not everything and every situation you may encounter can fit in a book/manual of this size and due to space and constraints some stuff just wouldn’t be able to be published, so with some hard decisions there are purposely some areas I just left out due to huge amounts of data and space required to put that info into print. Even with cutting some info out, it remains my largest and most full book to date! The main thing I left out was the step-by-step DIY wiring harness mods using OEM harnesses, I felt there was enough online sources for this data. Also due to there being 15 years+ of LS wiring harness flavors, I didn’t want to put some harness swaps in, and not others. With that said, there is plenty of alternative and popular complete engine harness sources listed in the publication.
Also a quick note, while this book is available in electronic format on Amazon Kindle, iTunes/iPhone/iPad, and elsewhere for convenience... After viewing these myself... I feel that the printed paper version is the best quality and provides the best layout for how I intended the book to be.
Anyway, I hope it becomes an additional resource to help with future LS swap projects for anyone that picks up a copy. Thanks!
-Joseph
This book/manual is all about LS specific engine retrofits and swaps. The title is called “LS-Series Engines: The Complete Swap Manual”. Ideally, the book can help both the LS novice unfamiliar with anything LS, and an LS swap hobbyist. There might even be some info helpful for the seasoned pro, although it was written with the mindset that the reader has not ever performed a LS swap.
A little about the book itself. It took me about 10 months of my time to compile the project, and then about 6 months from there until it was in printed paper form as you would see it today. The book itself has about 50,000 words of main and sidebar text and 420+ fill color images and diagrams with about 20,000 additional words for image captions. The final product ended up taking up 191 pages when in print form.
Most info is based on GM RWD platforms as that is what I do and had available on hand locally to utilize. There are install pictures from swaps I performed while writing the publication: 1967 Chevelle LS3/4L60E, 1969 Camaro LS7/T56, and my own 1967 Camaro 5.3L (at the time), plus many from other LS swap sources and car shows I attended.
To introduce a sample of what the book/manual included, here is a list of the chapter titles which give a taste on the subjects included:
-Preview the first 23 pages here!-
CH1: Introduction to LS-Series Engines and Planning Your Project
CH2: LS Engine Mounting Solutions
CH3: Engine EFI and Ignition Controls
CH4: Fuel System Design
CH5: Induction and Exhaust Systems
CH6: Engine Accessories and Cooling Systems
CH7: Transmission, Torque Converters, and Clutches
Ch8: Performance Upgrades and Power Adders
CH9: Startup and Troubleshooting Guide
This publication is available from Motorbooks directly such as in my signature links, or from retail outlets like Barnes and Noble, Hastings, etc, and also on Amazon.com. If you pick up an extra item from Amazon, you can also get it shipped for free.
Just like any technical book... not everything and every situation you may encounter can fit in a book/manual of this size and due to space and constraints some stuff just wouldn’t be able to be published, so with some hard decisions there are purposely some areas I just left out due to huge amounts of data and space required to put that info into print. Even with cutting some info out, it remains my largest and most full book to date! The main thing I left out was the step-by-step DIY wiring harness mods using OEM harnesses, I felt there was enough online sources for this data. Also due to there being 15 years+ of LS wiring harness flavors, I didn’t want to put some harness swaps in, and not others. With that said, there is plenty of alternative and popular complete engine harness sources listed in the publication.
Also a quick note, while this book is available in electronic format on Amazon Kindle, iTunes/iPhone/iPad, and elsewhere for convenience... After viewing these myself... I feel that the printed paper version is the best quality and provides the best layout for how I intended the book to be.
Anyway, I hope it becomes an additional resource to help with future LS swap projects for anyone that picks up a copy. Thanks!
-Joseph
Last edited by -Joseph-; 08-09-2012 at 12:20 AM.
08-09-2012, 12:04 AM
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On The Tree
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Reply Joseph, I have had this book for just about 1 year now. Cheapest price that I have found is from Amazon. Purchased with other items to qualify for the free shipping was $16.49. This is ABSOLUTLY the best LS swap book on the market. I refer to this book alsmost on a daily basis when I go into my "Library". You did one heck of a job on this book. Great paper, great text, and loads of great pictures. Matter of fact I have 2 of these books. One for my "LIBRARY" and another for the garage. I believe that you also have another book out which I would also like to purchase but forgot the name of it. Joseph could you please post the name of the other book in order that I know what book to purchase and also for the LS1tech members to purchase if they care to do so? Nobody should be without this book that is contemplating an LS Series swap. Even if they aren't doing a swap, it is still great reading. Keep up the good work Joseph. Rich
08-09-2012, 12:19 AM
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LSxGuy widda 9sec Mustang
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Rich, Thank you greatly for the feedback. It's nice to know all my hard work is appreciated.
My other very popular book is the LS engine manual titled "How to Build and Modify GM LS-Series Engines". Also available on
My other very popular book is the LS engine manual titled "How to Build and Modify GM LS-Series Engines". Also available on
08-09-2012, 09:30 AM
#5
Too bad it was printed in CHINA
08-09-2012, 09:47 AM
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LSxGuy widda 9sec Mustang
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I know, that has been a complaint from others. I personally don't have any control after my layout approval is complete. I responsible for content, pics, and approving how it "looks". If it were up to me, my step-father would be the printer.
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08-09-2012, 01:50 PM
#9
LSxGuy widda 9sec Mustang
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Sure did discuss the iron engines Gary. Also have a how-to on drilling the iron block for F-body alternator designs.
You can find those dirt cheap, my 5.3L was almost free.
You can find those dirt cheap, my 5.3L was almost free.
08-09-2012, 08:38 PM
#10
I have your other book and was going to pick this one up as well just to have on the (bathroom) shelf, but I've decided to keep Chinese things in my house to a minimum. Doesn't affect my job, but it does affect someones. Anyway, looks good from the preview.
08-09-2012, 09:05 PM
#11
I'll have to stick up for the book regardless of where it was printed.
Trade isn't a zero sum game; free trade creates more total jobs for everyone--albeit it may not be the same job. The reason to be against Chinese stuff is if its garbage (like the inferior quality of their tools, even compared to Taiwan), not because it "steals" someone's job. As Henry Hazlitt wrote in Economics in One Lesson, the job that went to China is what's "seen." What's "unseen" is the job that is created in the U.S. that produces exports in what we have a comparative advantage in. The U.S. is a giant exporter in high technology products, to China and elsewhere. China has a comparative advantage only in low value-added jobs; we don't want those jobs anyway cuz they're low pay. If something that China makes is a superior value than something we make, it would be incredibly foolish to make it ourselves.
Trade isn't a zero sum game; free trade creates more total jobs for everyone--albeit it may not be the same job. The reason to be against Chinese stuff is if its garbage (like the inferior quality of their tools, even compared to Taiwan), not because it "steals" someone's job. As Henry Hazlitt wrote in Economics in One Lesson, the job that went to China is what's "seen." What's "unseen" is the job that is created in the U.S. that produces exports in what we have a comparative advantage in. The U.S. is a giant exporter in high technology products, to China and elsewhere. China has a comparative advantage only in low value-added jobs; we don't want those jobs anyway cuz they're low pay. If something that China makes is a superior value than something we make, it would be incredibly foolish to make it ourselves.
08-10-2012, 10:07 AM
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LSxGuy widda 9sec Mustang
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Thanks for the comments. I wish I had input on where the book was printed but I don't.
I can tell you approx how many real people directly had months of work due to this project and directly made an income off of it.
Writer: Me 10 months
Editor: 2 months
Designer: 2 months
Indirectly...there is the publishers, publicists, sales ppl, shipping/recieving crew, and even the guy sweeping the floor at Motorbooks that all get a cut.
Then you have the retail outlets that have their 40% markup. Companies such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders, Hastings, and a thousand others all have real people that are paid from profits of book sales no matter where it's printed. These companies actually profit way more than my small %.
Luckily I'm not writing for $, it's a very insignificant amount in the mix. Very insignificant actually, my last royalty check paid for 75% of my new desktop PC (to write more) as a reference. You have to like doing it for it to be rewarding.
Anyway try to keep the thread on topic. I'd hate to pull a China and have to clean up and censor it. Lol jk
I can tell you approx how many real people directly had months of work due to this project and directly made an income off of it.
Writer: Me 10 months
Editor: 2 months
Designer: 2 months
Indirectly...there is the publishers, publicists, sales ppl, shipping/recieving crew, and even the guy sweeping the floor at Motorbooks that all get a cut.
Then you have the retail outlets that have their 40% markup. Companies such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders, Hastings, and a thousand others all have real people that are paid from profits of book sales no matter where it's printed. These companies actually profit way more than my small %.
Luckily I'm not writing for $, it's a very insignificant amount in the mix. Very insignificant actually, my last royalty check paid for 75% of my new desktop PC (to write more) as a reference. You have to like doing it for it to be rewarding.
Anyway try to keep the thread on topic. I'd hate to pull a China and have to clean up and censor it. Lol jk
08-13-2012, 08:20 AM
#14
On The Tree
Rich, Thank you greatly for the feedback. It's nice to know all my hard work is appreciated.
My other very popular book is the LS engine manual titled "How to Build and Modify GM LS-Series Engines". Also available on Amazon
My other very popular book is the LS engine manual titled "How to Build and Modify GM LS-Series Engines". Also available on Amazon
08-13-2012, 11:00 AM
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I just recently got this book as my son and I are contemplating a 5.3/4.8 swap into his 1984 El Camino. It is EXCELLENT and makes the project really seem doable. Very well done!
08-13-2012, 04:07 PM
#16
Staging Lane
Joseph, Let me pile on and also say that this is the best LS swap book out. It's comprehensive, detailed, has great photos and obviously written by someone who has hands-on experience. Great job and keep'em coming!
08-14-2012, 08:21 AM
#17
LSxGuy widda 9sec Mustang
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Thanks! Plans are in the works for another writing project () so it's good motivation to hear the gratitude from previous work.
) so it's good motivation to hear the gratitude from previous work. 
