Seymor Butts

iTrader: (1)

EDIT: First start up here: https://ls1tech.com/forums/18280642-post37.html



Hey all,

So I've lurked for quite some time around here and only recently signed up to the forum with my very first question about a swap I've started. It's amazing how much information is out here and other places that I was able to get the parts list going and figured out before even posting a single question. Wish I had signed up sooner though because of the 50/6 rule not letting me post up WTB threads (looking for a set of stock LS1 injectors **AHEM**)...

So the story on the car is pretty short really... It's a Canadian '68 Firebird with its original colour (and a ton of other original parts) that I bought almost 2 years ago now. At first I was just putting around in it after doing a full tune up to the 400 CID that came in the engine bay, which was actually out of a '75 Trans Am. Needless to say, I wanted more power and I started to miss having a manual great box fun car after having always owned a manual car... I'm what you a call a car guy, not a car brand guy. I don't stick to specific brands or markets; America, Jap, Euro etc., I like it all.

Long story short, after having done some research, I was over at a local car show with some close friends shooting the **** and one of them mentions how he can set me up with a really good price on a TKO-600 transmission should I go with a swap this spring. Now, for you US readers, I need to explain something... Prices on stuff in Canada are usually significantly higher to a point that even after import, freight, etc it is still cheaper for us to buy things from across the border. I didn't think much of what he said until he quoted me on the price for the TKO which was a fantastic deal. That pushed me over the edge and caused me to call the local scrapper for a LQ9 motor after doing much reading and research.

So here I am, with a LQ9 motor, TKO-600 transmission in the box sitting in my garage and loads of parts coming my way from various vendors (don't want to turn this into a vendor call out but I'm working with a number of suppliers here).

I have a pretty aggressive plan of getting the engine into the car and running by late May. I have ordered just about everything I will need for the swap and should have 95% of everything by end of this week. For now, pictures of said engine, transmission, car, and parts.

Feel free to shoot questions my way, though I must say, I am still figuring some of the things as I go at the moment to which I couldn't find clear answers searching....so I may not know. But once I do find out, I'll be sure to let you know.

Seymor Butts

iTrader: (1)

The pic of the car with the black wheels is the latest on how it looks today. I was trying to upload some more pictures of the car but for some reason the forum is giving me a hard time right now about it.. I'll try again later on.

oldgoat69

You will really like the way the LS performs compared to the TinIndian. All in all this is a pretty basic straight forward swap. Be sure to stay with a proven recipe of parts for best compatibility.

Seymor Butts

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for that! Seems to be what everyone has been saying in terms of it being straight forward and going proven recipes. It's just a matter of time for me to get the parts into my hands, though some prep work has begun.

P.S. This car is going for a street fighter sort of look rather than a trailer queen.

ls1nova71

iTrader: (4)

There must be something that makes things cheaper south of where you live, us in the states can get things cheaper south of our border too....

Nice looking 'Bird. You'll love the update!

EastTnZ28

iTrader: (20)

What bellhousing are you gonna use.

Seymor Butts

iTrader: (1)

You may be onto something here... I wonder now as well. Ha!

I called up American Powertrain and ordered a whole list of parts from them. I was referred to a very knowledgeable gentleman named Paul there whom knew exactly what I needed and was even able to find items that I had missed and would have to go back and place another order.

Having that said, I get the bell housing, clutch, flywheel, etc all on Thursday. I will report back with pictures of it and part number for you so you could look it up if you wish. I paid for everything at once but from what I remember it was cheaper than Summit housing for this engine/trans set up.

Seymor Butts

iTrader: (1)

Today I did some cleaning on the engine after work and test fitted the headers. This thing is going to look amazing when its done. Going to do a test fit this Friday and then clean the engine and paint.

Also some more goodies came in today. Fast fuel rail. Found some stock injectors finally from a member on here so should be getting those shortly I hope.

Seymor Butts

iTrader: (1)

This is the one I got; though I did not pay this price (maybe because I ordered a bunch of stuff?). Either way if you are unsure and have questions, Paul at American Powertrain was very helpful and knowledgeable.

I'll post pictures once I get it in my hands and what I think of the product.

http://americanpowertrain.com/c-3139...-aluminum.html

Seymor Butts

iTrader: (1)

A much needed update... I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

- engine has been cleaned up and painted fully in black
- flywheel, clutch and transmission are assembled and attached to engine
- engine and transmission are both installed in the car (driveshaft is on order now)
- began to work on the fuel system now

sprech

iTrader: (1)

I don't know if it was the same color in '68, but my '69 was originally a shade that looks an awful lot like that called Limelight Green.

Seymor Butts

iTrader: (1)

Yup that colour is original if that's what you are asking. Probably the same thing - I've tried to find the name of it and couldn't, so this may very well be it! Thank you for that. It's a rare colour.

sprech

iTrader: (1)

While it might be the same color, in '67 and '68 it was called Verdoro Green.

GM Color Code Lookup

Seymor Butts

iTrader: (1)

Based on sample pictures on that site, mine is a much lighter shade of green. In some lighting conditions it looks as if its a gold colour.

I wonder also if some of the options/colours etc were different between US and Canada as mine is a Canadian car that originated life in Calgary. Hmmmm

EastTnZ28

iTrader: (20)

What size master cylinder are you using? 3/4, 7/8, 13/16. I ask because I have the same tranny but I used a external slave from a 1986 Silverado and Im thinking of going to a internal slave when I change motors.

EastTnZ28

iTrader: (20)

Forgot to mention that I have a Lakewood bellhousing

Seymor Butts

iTrader: (1)

I bought this complete kit from American Powertrain because my car used to be an automatic before this swap. This is an awesome kit and comes with everything you need to mount it to the transmission. The master in this kit is 3/4. You can buy it separately of course if you do not need the whole thing.

Hope this helps!

http://americanpowertrain.com/i-8521...-t5-lenco.html

sprech

iTrader: (1)

Interesting, I haven't found any differences for Canadian built cars. I did see something that said that they came with Chevy motors, but not sure what models and years. Did yours come factory with a Pontiac or Chevy motor?

Seymor Butts

iTrader: (1)

Never heard of that - mine was a Pontiac from factory. Weird!

I was making that assumption based on how cars are sold today and the model/option differences between US and Canadian cars. But it would make sense if automakers only started doing that in the last decade or something.

Some more shots of the car I have from last couple of years:






To anyone that says American old cars are boats, show them this to make them think twice.




My friend's girlfriend (at the time) going gaga over the engine/exhaust sound this thing was making when she was revving it (she's a bit of a car girl)

EastTnZ28

iTrader: (20)

Thanks for the link. Exactly what I need.