LS1 into a 1970 Camaro
02-11-2016, 11:17 AM
#101
Looking good. It wont be long. Thanks for updating.
02-21-2016, 08:09 PM
#103
Launching!
Thread Starter
Managed to get some decent work done this weekend. Ran front to rear wiring for the lights, rugs installed. Working on installing the shifter and passenger seat now. Driver's seat, rear seats, seat belts and rear lower trim panels are all in. Also started the wiring for tail lights with the connectors and have to decide on where to drill in the trunk for the wiring to go through for the fuel pump to connect to my spectra fuel tank.
On the hunt for digital dash tachometers for the conversion. Having a hard time coughing up $700 for the Dakota digital. Anyone else have any suggestions for dash?
On the hunt for digital dash tachometers for the conversion. Having a hard time coughing up $700 for the Dakota digital. Anyone else have any suggestions for dash?
02-22-2016, 02:42 AM
#104
DD. I seen one in a article a few years back. Really trick.
02-27-2016, 08:21 PM
#106
Launching!
Thread Starter
Spent some time today on the car. Nothing to thrilling picture wise. Got the electrical wiring for the rear lights done.
Also got working on the e brake cable. Installed my 4th gen rear cables and the factory floor cable. I have the front cable from a fourth gen. I could run the 2 cables up the center tunnel and loop it around or I could run a short 1 foot intermediate cable.
What have others done for their e brake cable swap?
Also got working on the e brake cable. Installed my 4th gen rear cables and the factory floor cable. I have the front cable from a fourth gen. I could run the 2 cables up the center tunnel and loop it around or I could run a short 1 foot intermediate cable.
What have others done for their e brake cable swap?
02-28-2016, 01:20 PM
#107
Glad to see you are sticking with the stock front seats. How is the seat pleating? the cheaper "comfortweave" replacement or hondstooth (SP)???
03-03-2016, 09:05 AM
#108
Launching!
Thread Starter
Update Sorry for not updating, BUT I have been working away on the camaro about 6 to 8 hours a week/a few nights a week.
All the seats are in, center console is in but not pictured.
Started on the headliner tuesday night, need to get all the corner trim pieces in to keep it up and tight.Lower dash panels I repainted with some black trim paint till I can afford new ones. I figure I will assembly that with the dash pad when I can get a friend to help put it all in place.
Got almost all the rear light wiring done for turn signals, brakes, reverse and parking lights, I need to get a couple more connectors to finish the wiring back there. As for the body wiring inside: fuse block is mounted, wires run through the dash (what a pain), connectors being hook up, started the engine wiring portion as well since its easiest with the motor out.
Planning on running some FMSI nylon fuel line with quick connect fittings for a fuel filter.
Got my headlights in and headlight trim on. Now the front end looks like its together, besides the parking lights in the fenders.
Ran 4th gen rear e-brake cables, found a 14" e-brake cable from a dodge that I used to connect the 2 cables to the equalizer. Pulled it and it works in the car. So I started to mock up some brackets to hold the e-brake cable by the rear wheels. Actually starting with the E-Brake holders that go off the differential since I had a pair hanging around. Going to get some metal to make a nice bracket though. But at least this is an idea.
Sorry for the few pictures, but I will post more later. I figure I will start to assembly the motor once I get the interior/wiring and stuff done that is easiest to do with the motor out of the car.
03-13-2016, 08:53 PM
#110
Launching!
Thread Starter
Wired the fuel tank and put a hole in the trunk floor with a grommet for the 2 wires for the electric pump 
Rear wiring is all done.
Started the headliner but I broke a couple clips and am now waiting on some to come in the mail....
Spent a couple hours on the 70 today. Got both upper window seals and the trunk seal installed. So I do not have to keep looking at them on the floor.
Started on the front headlight wiring and engine harness wiring.
Painted my headers flat black while working on other things.
I need to find a spot to install my cruise control module and to run the cable. Thinking behind the left front headlight and running the cable through the fender and then around to the engine bay.
Rear wiring is all done. Started the headliner but I broke a couple clips and am now waiting on some to come in the mail....
Spent a couple hours on the 70 today. Got both upper window seals and the trunk seal installed. So I do not have to keep looking at them on the floor.
Started on the front headlight wiring and engine harness wiring.
Painted my headers flat black while working on other things.
I need to find a spot to install my cruise control module and to run the cable. Thinking behind the left front headlight and running the cable through the fender and then around to the engine bay.
03-30-2016, 08:17 PM
#111
Launching!
Thread Starter
Okay, Update time:
Headlights, turn signals and park lights are all wired in.
Bought and installed a new battery tray, wahoo.
Bought a G-Force 4L80e cross member for the 70 Camaro.
Ordered mirror mounting kits.
Bought a trunk lock chrome bezel and gasket. Fabricated a rod from the trunk lock cylinder to the latch mechanism from a 2000 trans am and got the trunk lock installed and working. Went to work on the license plate lights since I got new gaskets & lenses. The sockets for lights are to big and are hitting the bracket for the trunk latch. Any ideas of what to do? I suppose I could cut the socket and trim it back, but I would have to cut it down like half way. Should I order and stuff some White LED's in there?
I got punished for waiting to put the motor back together. After I just spent a bunch of money on other parts, I learned my lesson about letting parts sit for about 7 months. The Cam is rusted and so are my lifters.
The cam box was not sealed, but lifters were wrapped in plastic. Way past time frame though for summit to do anything though, I did not even try and call them because it has been 7 months.
My best friend gave me his LS2 camshaft & yellow ls6 valve springs out of his 2006 GTO, they have about 50k miles on them. So basically I will have an Iron block 6.0, 799 Heads, LS2 Cam and a fast 90/90 with long tube headers. 400 horsepower-ish. We put his camshaft in last night, new timing cover seal and crank seal, and bolted on the oil pan with a new gasket. I also installed carshop 1" mounting plates.
Going to clean up the block and paint it orange.
I ordered 16 new lifters from summit $120, should be here Friday afternoon. Going to put this motor together Saturday and get it painted so it can be installed next week. It just has to get done. Then I can start on wiring the engine harness into the car.
I am figuring since this motor is basically a stock LS2, tuning the computer for the motor and 4L80e should be a breeze and account for the 3.73 gears. I can just leave the stock torque converter too. Keep my dollars focused on just getting this car drive able this year if possible. Got radiator, transmission cooler lines/cooler, brake lines, fuel lines, cruise control & stalk, steering wheel, shift cable, VHX gauge cluster and box, tuning the ECM, heater controls, wipers to name a few things still to go....
Headlights, turn signals and park lights are all wired in.
Bought and installed a new battery tray, wahoo.
Bought a G-Force 4L80e cross member for the 70 Camaro.
Ordered mirror mounting kits.
Bought a trunk lock chrome bezel and gasket. Fabricated a rod from the trunk lock cylinder to the latch mechanism from a 2000 trans am and got the trunk lock installed and working. Went to work on the license plate lights since I got new gaskets & lenses. The sockets for lights are to big and are hitting the bracket for the trunk latch. Any ideas of what to do? I suppose I could cut the socket and trim it back, but I would have to cut it down like half way. Should I order and stuff some White LED's in there?
I got punished for waiting to put the motor back together. After I just spent a bunch of money on other parts, I learned my lesson about letting parts sit for about 7 months. The Cam is rusted and so are my lifters.
The cam box was not sealed, but lifters were wrapped in plastic. Way past time frame though for summit to do anything though, I did not even try and call them because it has been 7 months. My best friend gave me his LS2 camshaft & yellow ls6 valve springs out of his 2006 GTO, they have about 50k miles on them. So basically I will have an Iron block 6.0, 799 Heads, LS2 Cam and a fast 90/90 with long tube headers. 400 horsepower-ish. We put his camshaft in last night, new timing cover seal and crank seal, and bolted on the oil pan with a new gasket. I also installed carshop 1" mounting plates.
Going to clean up the block and paint it orange.
I ordered 16 new lifters from summit $120, should be here Friday afternoon. Going to put this motor together Saturday and get it painted so it can be installed next week. It just has to get done. Then I can start on wiring the engine harness into the car.
I am figuring since this motor is basically a stock LS2, tuning the computer for the motor and 4L80e should be a breeze and account for the 3.73 gears. I can just leave the stock torque converter too. Keep my dollars focused on just getting this car drive able this year if possible. Got radiator, transmission cooler lines/cooler, brake lines, fuel lines, cruise control & stalk, steering wheel, shift cable, VHX gauge cluster and box, tuning the ECM, heater controls, wipers to name a few things still to go....
04-06-2016, 12:14 PM
#113
Launching!
Thread Starter
Well, I just ordered a new LS6 cam for $290 since it is supposed to be a direct bolt in for the LQ4...
The free LS2 cam I did not realize was going to need a new gear wheel, timing cover, sensor and more wiring when we slid it in. Then I was told about it, read about it, said "oh how wonderful". I started adding up the cost of the parts new and just decided to keep it simple and order a new camshaft.
So tomorrow I will have a LS6 cam dropped off and going to install it tomorrow night and then continue on with the build. I know I could have gotten another trickflow cam, but I am in the moment and need to get this engine together while I have the time.
Hopefully "New Era" can tune this in a breeze.
Horsepower estimate with a LQ4, 799 heads, LS6 Cam, Fast 90/90 intake? Hopefully 450hp at the flywheel?
I will also add as a comment at this time, that I will never go this route again for building a motor. Even if I did not need to get another cam and lifters. I added up my break down of costs and here they are:
LQ4 motor core - 350
799 Heads, with machine work $500
F-body Oil pan, pick up, tray - $225
Lifter kit $150
valve train upgrade $317
Cam (first one) $290
Gasket kits (oil pan, heads, timing cover) and new head bolts $291
36# injectors - $240
T-body seal $10
Fast 90 intake and 90mm Throttle body - $750
Carshop mounts $80
Used Hooker exhaust long tube headers $50
ECM & truck harness - free (had to pull it myself)
Sold Truck intake -$50
Sold 317 heads - $180
Total $3023
Second set of lifters $120
Second Camshaft - $290
Ongoing total: $3,433 and counting.
If I turn back the clock and look to "build" another motor, I would have just bought a used 5.3L for around $500, oil pan set $225, valve train upgrade kit $317 and a cam $290-400 depending on how crazy to go, Dorman Ls6 manifold $320, used TB $75, injectors $150 to $250 and other LT headers (if I didn't find that great deal on the hookers) around $350, I would be around $2,327 and probably still around or close to 400 hp at the flywheel....
I suppose a traditional SBC 350 crate with an intake and carb would have been right around where I am now.
The free LS2 cam I did not realize was going to need a new gear wheel, timing cover, sensor and more wiring when we slid it in. Then I was told about it, read about it, said "oh how wonderful". I started adding up the cost of the parts new and just decided to keep it simple and order a new camshaft.
So tomorrow I will have a LS6 cam dropped off and going to install it tomorrow night and then continue on with the build. I know I could have gotten another trickflow cam, but I am in the moment and need to get this engine together while I have the time.
Hopefully "New Era" can tune this in a breeze.
Horsepower estimate with a LQ4, 799 heads, LS6 Cam, Fast 90/90 intake? Hopefully 450hp at the flywheel?
I will also add as a comment at this time, that I will never go this route again for building a motor. Even if I did not need to get another cam and lifters. I added up my break down of costs and here they are:
LQ4 motor core - 350
799 Heads, with machine work $500
F-body Oil pan, pick up, tray - $225
Lifter kit $150
valve train upgrade $317
Cam (first one) $290
Gasket kits (oil pan, heads, timing cover) and new head bolts $291
36# injectors - $240
T-body seal $10
Fast 90 intake and 90mm Throttle body - $750
Carshop mounts $80
Used Hooker exhaust long tube headers $50
ECM & truck harness - free (had to pull it myself)
Sold Truck intake -$50
Sold 317 heads - $180
Total $3023
Second set of lifters $120
Second Camshaft - $290
Ongoing total: $3,433 and counting.
If I turn back the clock and look to "build" another motor, I would have just bought a used 5.3L for around $500, oil pan set $225, valve train upgrade kit $317 and a cam $290-400 depending on how crazy to go, Dorman Ls6 manifold $320, used TB $75, injectors $150 to $250 and other LT headers (if I didn't find that great deal on the hookers) around $350, I would be around $2,327 and probably still around or close to 400 hp at the flywheel....
I suppose a traditional SBC 350 crate with an intake and carb would have been right around where I am now.
Last edited by Cferrel4; 04-06-2016 at 01:04 PM. Reason: updated build $
04-11-2016, 11:48 AM
#114
Launching!
Thread Starter
LS6 camshaft is in. Had to order and install a new retaining plate $20, the other one broke before I reached the 18ft lbs of torque for the screws. Can't believe it but **** happens...
New lifters are well lubricated and installed in their retaining trays. The 799 cylinder heads are on and torqued properly. Installed a new knock sensor wiring harness section.
Set the intake on it and felt like I was making good some progress.
The timing cover is on, just not pictured.
This week going to get the push rods in, rockers on, valve covers on, harmonic balancer and start assembling things like brackets.
New lifters are well lubricated and installed in their retaining trays. The 799 cylinder heads are on and torqued properly. Installed a new knock sensor wiring harness section.
Set the intake on it and felt like I was making good some progress.
The timing cover is on, just not pictured.
This week going to get the push rods in, rockers on, valve covers on, harmonic balancer and start assembling things like brackets.
04-26-2016, 10:42 AM
#116
Launching!
Thread Starter
Been plugging away on it. Picked up a complete 98 Z28 Y3F with a bad motor, new transmission and 3.73 gears for $1700 shipped to me. So I am quickly stripping the drivetrain for some needed sensors and things. Already sold the brand new 18" wheels and tires on it and the rear axle assembly for $1100. Should be able to get my money back on it being a roller and the ground effects package and make a couple bucks for needed parts.
Should I keep the front 98 LS1 dual piston calipers for this 70 Camaro? I see everyone doing C5/6 brake set up, but this is free stuff which makes it more entertaining to me. Has anyone done the fbody front brakes to second gen?
Should I keep the front 98 LS1 dual piston calipers for this 70 Camaro? I see everyone doing C5/6 brake set up, but this is free stuff which makes it more entertaining to me. Has anyone done the fbody front brakes to second gen?
04-26-2016, 11:24 AM
#117
A few people on here have done it. Try a SEARCH. IT won't be long. Very envious. Best of luck!!!
04-28-2016, 01:38 PM
#118
Launching!
Thread Starter
My Main goal is to spend the money on parts needed to get it going and just road worthy this summer.
My 17" vision legend 5 wheels came in. Mounted 2 with P275/40ZR17 Eagles that I have had kicking around for awhile, need to get 2 tires for up front unless these will fit in.
If those will fit in up front, then I will order some NT05 or e/t streets for the rear tires.
05-09-2016, 09:36 AM
#120
Launching!
Thread Starter
Sold my 05 GTO. I broke even and I am happy about that. Going to use the money to finish this project and pay off my wife's student debt so that will not be eating into our income each month.
Did not get much of anything done last week, to much around the house to do for spring.
Plan for this week is to get the hood off with some friends and set the motor in. That is exciting.
Did not get much of anything done last week, to much around the house to do for spring.
Plan for this week is to get the hood off with some friends and set the motor in. That is exciting.