TxFireman1972

iTrader: (8)

Decided to do a build thread for my 1993 Mustang LX Coupe. Has a 302 with a Vortech Supercharger, but was ready for a change, so it has quite a bit done to it already.

Quick rundown of how the car sits before the LS swap:

1993 Mustang Coupe
302, GT40 heads, intake, etc
Vortech V2-Si trim supercharger
Tremec 3550 w/aluminum driveshaft
Built 8.8 with 3.73's
Cobra disc brakes all the way around
Shorty headers, H-pipe, Borla catback
Holley EFI
Holley 7” Digital dash
03 Cobra tank, Fore fuel hat, dual Walbro 255 pumps 8an/6an line

This is not a show car or a race car, just a solid driver that gets driven a lot. It has, and will still have after the swap, AC, PS, etc. Full interior car, with lots of sound deadener and a full black interior swap with 2014 seats. Car was originally a 4-cyl car when I got it. I did paint under the hood before dropping the 302 in, but the car itself needs paint one of these days. It was put together with pretty much all brand new parts. All harnesses were pulled, stripped down, check/repaired, and rewrapped. It had new heater core, evaporator core, window motors, etc installed when the interior was converted to black. Also did a battery relocation with all 2/0 cable, with everything soldered, crimped, and sealed with adhesive lined shrink wrap. Coilovers in the front and Maximum Motorsports height adjustable control arms with H&R springs in the rear.

Here are a few pics

TxFireman1972

iTrader: (8)

So after going back and forth on doing a LS swap or not I decided to list my Vortech stuff and see if I had any takers. My Vortech stuff sold pretty fast and I started unloading the rest of my SBF parts.

About the same time I had a LS1 come up for sale locally.

2000 Camaro SS LS1
45K miles
LS6 Intake/Ported Throttle Body
Texas Speed MS3 cam 237/242 .603/.609 112 LSA
Precision Race Components .675 Double Valve Springs
Precision Race Components Titanium Retainers
New Valve Seals
Texas Speed 7.400 Hardened Pushrods

So I grabbed it.



I drive my car a lot and get bored with an automatic. So I definitely wanted to stay with a manual. After looking at several options I decided to keep my Tremec 3550. I like the fact it keeps the factory location. So no need for different crossmember, driveshaft, etc.

I ended up finding a deal on a QuickTime bellhousing and a Mcleod twin disc clutch kit and flywheel








This setup will use a longer 98 Mustang clutch fork, and I also picked up a pilot bearing from another member that ran the same combo. Its a roller pilot bearing from a 460 that he has the outside diameter turned down to fit the LS motor.

I did also have to swap my input shaft out to run the McLeod twin disc kit. Mine was a 10-spline input shaft so I picked up the needed 26-spline shaft. Got it swapped out, so its ready to go.

TxFireman1972

iTrader: (8)

Got the rest of SBF stuff pulled out of the car, along with the K-member. Making room for new parts!

Ordered a few more parts:

AJE K-member
AJE motor-mounts
Hedman mid-length headers
V-bands to replace the collectors on the headers



Had the v-bands welded on to the headers









ITC Billet mounts for Alternator, PS Pump, and Tensioner




Found a good deal on a “open box” set of Holley LS fuel rails




AJE K-member installed and 2004 GT rack/pinion reinstalled

TxFireman1972

iTrader: (8)

Picked up a set of truck coils. Went ahead and bolted them on along with my Holley fuel rails and Holley 66# injectors. Also went ahead and dropped the motor in to check fitment with everything.



Grabbed an alternator and put it on



I did go ahead and order a Holley alternator swap harness for it



Grabbed a used PS pump and reservoir and new water pump. Also decided to pull the coil brackets off and paint them the same color as the car. Looks a lot better I think




Forgot I also grabbed a F-body radiator and dual fans.



Thats about where I'm at. Got tied up with Thanksgiving stuff, plus I'm waiting on parts. Ordered a new main harness for my Holley EFI, it should be here Monday. Also have a bunch of fittings on the way for my fuel lines. Should get some time this weekend to get most of the fuel stuff wrapped up. Also need to mess around with the radiator mounting some. It fits in there great, just need to modify the mounts a little.

learning91

u r the man!!..i'm doing a very similar swap into a 91 coupe..and this is all new tech to me..so i will be watching closely..quick question is there a reason why holley vs fast system?...this is one erea i'm undecided...i'm also running ms3 cam but with truck intake...thanks for the build..i will be following it closely!! thx!

TxFireman1972

iTrader: (8)

Thanks! I've been back and forth for a long time on the swap. As far as the EFI, I know nothing about Fast and dont have anyone I know running it. I have several friends that run Holley. Plus I liked the support available, the user friendly aspect of it, plus all of the add-ons available. Not saying it's better, just saying it fit my needs better.

TxFireman1972

iTrader: (8)

I had a chance to do a little more work on the car. My new Holley harness came in. I got it put in. Decided to move the ECU under the passenger's side seat instead of in the kick panel where I had it. It reached, barely but it reached lol.

Also finished up my relay panel for my fuel pumps. Mounted them on an aluminum panel. Then I hang in on studs I put coming through the side of the battery box. Out of the way for normal use, but only held on with a couple of wing nuts if I need to pull it out for any reason.






Also finished up running my fuel lines

From tank into the passenger's side fuel rail
Crosses over in the rear
Comes out of the front of driver's side fuel rail
Runs to regulator mounted on passenger's side head
Exits the regulator and returns to tank








Here is a pic of the ICT Billet accessory brackets. Alternator, PS, and manual tensioner




Camaro water pump and Heater hoses installed



Tapped the water pump for the steam line fitting




Pilot bearing installed



Painted the headers with some high temp header paint and through on a set of MSD wires.





Put some fresh paint on my Maximum Motorsports steering shaft



I ordered some fittings for my power steering. Here is the one on the pump





Ordered the one for the steering rack too, But realized once they got here that I had ordered 9/16” for the pressure side and need to order a 14mm instead.



Adapter to run my Holley pressure sensor in the rear location



Forgot I needed flyweel bolts so I ordered a set from ARP. They will be here in a couple of days. Should be able to stick the transmission in once I get those. Need to stick a starter on and wire up the alternator. Also have a Lokar throttle cable and bracket on the way. Not far from starting it up!!!

learning91

very nice work...your giving me some good ideas!!

lilpanther

Glad to see you back working on another LS swap. The car is looking great so far.

DavidBoren

If I remember correctly, which I very well may not, but isn't the first gear on that Tremec something nut-dragging low like 3.27:1, or something like that? With 3.73's out back, first gear has to be all but useless. Do you have the .8 or .6 overdrive?

The 302 you got rid of is the quintessential Windsor build... GT40 everything, Vortech, maybe an E303 cam... the Ford crowd swears by that combination.

The LS1 will be a welcome upgrade. You're saving yourself over 50# of weight, and you're probably still within 50rwhp of what that 302 and Vortech were pushing... I have seen some pretty disappointing 302/GT40/Vortech numbers.

Anyways, it's good to see another pony being rescued with an LS motor. Definitely post a video once you get her started.

TxFireman1972

iTrader: (8)

Thanks

Thanks. I've been wanting another one every since I had to get rid of the last one.

3.27 1st gear and .68 OD. It was definitely worthless with a blower lol. I was just about to swap gears and decided to unload all of the SBF stuff. I drive it a lot, including the highway, so a gear change is definitely a good possibility. So we'll see lol.

Pretty much a basic GT40 combo, B303 cam.

Was just bored with it already and was already tired of dealing with climbing IAT's.



Thanks, I'll definitely post a video or two once its done.

AAIIIC

iTrader: (19)

That's a damn clean notch! Nice attention to detail on doing things right.

Got any pics of the Holley digital dash?

TxFireman1972

iTrader: (8)

Thanks! Here's a video of the dash

TxFireman1972

iTrader: (8)

Here are a couple of pics of the Folrida50 mount

ryeguy2006a

iTrader: (27)

Nice build! I'm curious about the LS1 to 3550 5 speed. What adapter will you be using to allow that trans to bolt to the LS1?

TxFireman1972

iTrader: (8)

QuickTime RM-6037. There's a picture in post #2

Johnny C.

iTrader: (1)

Cool build. Look forward to seeing more.

Sleeperls

Looks like aje has changed their k member design again. Welcome to the ls world to a fellow dfwstanger

TxFireman1972

iTrader: (8)

Thanks. More coming lol

I remember seeing something about AJE k-members using square tubing. But not sure which was old and which was new. Thanks, looking forward to starting this one!

Flywheel bolts came in today



I got the Mcleod Flywheel and Mcleod RXT twin disc clutch kit put in. Planning on stabbing the transmission in the morning



Also grabbed a truck starter and some new starter bolts and put it on



I really don't like how close the header runs right next to where my clutch cable will pass through. I need to stick a clutch cable in and see just how close it is. Hopefully wrapping it real good with heat shield material will do the job. I know one thing, clutch cables do not like heat from headers!

DavidBoren

Damn, that is a little too close for comfort. Doesn't look like there is much you can do about it, though. Wrap the headers, and maybe use a DEI Protect-A-Sleeve on the clutch cable itself.