02T/A-WS6

iTrader: (4)

As the title says I want info and to know if its possible to LS1 swap into a 3.2 2003 cts. I know what everybody is gonna say... "Go buy a V"

However, I work at a dealership and bought a fully loaded 2003 cts with 95k and got it dirt cheap. In the future, I have been pondering a swap to sit in the garage with the WS6.

So is it possible? Has it been done before? What is needed? yada yada yada

itsslow98

iTrader: (18)

im sure it can be done but im not sure how dirt cheap the car will have been when you are finished. i dont think a cts is the best candidate from an ls1 swap as it will never be a race car or live up to its potential due to the rear end. PLus you would probably have to change gears, mess with the tranny, computer etc. i would stick to the stock cts and find another donor car.

maxspeed96ct

iTrader: (3)

if you got it for dirt, i suggest you just try to sell it and then add alittle cash and get a real V.

Swap wouldnt be worth your trouble.

02T/A-WS6

iTrader: (4)

Well I would expect to have to swap engine, tranny, rear-end, and driveshaft. I like to wrench on stuff as it keeps me busy. I swap a t-5 into a 86 monte SS before and for those who dont know they were never offered in a manual to begin with so many custom part were needed. I figure all the parts are readily available because they were made with the ls1. Has it been done?

CTSV_510

iTrader: (1)

I don't believe it has been done yet.

Remember your suspension and brakes will not be up to par and I imagine swapping the pcm, swapping wiring harnesses and re-wiring would be an absolute nightmare.

But if that's what you like to do....

white2001formula

iTrader: (5)

I think it's possible, and if you had a donor engine/tran/rear, I think it'd be a whole lot easier. I wouldn't re-wire, I'd just get a whole new wireing harness. Maybe use a CTS-V Harness?

Brentman2007

I think it would be cool and caddy forum member NELS has a super charged 2003 that makes 330 rwhp and had been on the track ALOT! so i would bet it would work with the stock drivetrain if you can make it work

504ctsV

If i'm not mistaken I think there is a guy here in New Orleans with an LS cts. Haven't actually seen it in person but it's just what i've heard. I'll see if I can get in touch with this guy to send u a pm with his phone number so u can talk.

xxrillixx

iTrader: (118)

Im sure you could do it. Only problem being it its alot of custom work. If you are pretty decent at fabricating you could do it.

Im pretty sure you COULD NOT just take a ls and T56 and put it in. The K member is specific, and i believe the bell housing is different. The placement of alot of the resivours are different. And you would have to beef up the suspension, the 6cyl comes with a completely different suspension setup then the V's.

Even if you got the CTS for 5 grand... i think you would spend over 10k in parts: Motor, Tranny, K member (aarms, rotors, hubs, calipers), rearend... The problem is there just isnt a big enough market for PARTS let alone aftermarket. Like i cannot find an aftermarket set of a-arms. Factory those are $350 a piece ($120 used), K member is $450 new ($300 used). plus calipers, shocks, rotors.... thats over 2k right there. Parts are very hard to come by. Your never going to see, "Parting out my V, come grab parts!" And when your done... you wouldnt be able to sell it for $15k.


If you do start it, use the cleveland pick apart. They are one of the ONLY ones out there ive found with parts available. Very good people to work with. And become very friendly with your local chevy dealer, so you can get all the diagrams and part numbers. You'll need to borrow someones V vin because they have a VERY VERY hard time finding the right parts in the computer. I dont think i would do it unless i had a V donor...


Good luck man!

liqidvenom

iTrader: (2)

I think this might be alot easier then people are making it out to be.

1) you know the motor and trans will fit.
2) driveshaft could be a custom unit
3) You could prob get someone to tune a pcm so it works in this application for you.
4) MM already exist and so do crashed donor v's

its gonna take time but its prob like dropping a ls1 into a v6 camaro.

madmaro00

iTrader: (6)

My LS1/NV4500 swap into my '67 Bronco took forever and a lot of people said it couldn't be done. I just had to make a lot of custom parts, make my mistakes, do a butt-load of research, take on one problem at a time, force patience unto myself and take my time. I'm actually hoping to drive it for the first time tonight!

Brentman2007

SICK!

maxspeed96ct

iTrader: (3)

The wiring and getting to ecu to do it job would be all bad..
I know you said you swapped a monte but thats a older car, the technology on the newer cars is nuts...


But it can be done, the cheapest alternative to doing it would be like posted above and finding a doner V car, one thats crashed from a auction or something.

G/L

Spoolio

i would take out the 3.2 and forge it, then spray the dick out of it or
turbo it. i smell smoke, you're thinking it through aren't you?

02T/A-WS6

iTrader: (4)

ehhh Im more of a LS1 junkie than anything else. I would still want to go with a LS of sorts but right now its my DD and im thinking it would be a fun project and just lookin to see if there is info/ if anyone has done it. It would seem like it should fit. There are LSX oil pans for the cts's, but thats already considering it was a V to begin with. At least working on cts, the engine is not half way under the cowl/windshield like on my 02 WS6

I saw that this was brought up on a caddy forum but the only thing is that it was ancient(2005) so of course they were still way expensive and it would have been pointless. But now that they are coming down in price and being that I got it cheap makes the gears upstairs turn....street...maybe strip...drag stripper(now that sounds bad...either way you take it). It would definitely be something you dont see everyday.

Spoolio

you remind me of me...they said this couldnt be done either...
good luck, and keep up the solid work.


http://s154.photobucket.com/albums/s...t=0c77b629.pbr

CTSV_510

iTrader: (1)

SkullV

iTrader: (11)

Drop a 427lsx in it with a built drivetrain and a straight axle 9" rear. We need a single digit 1/4 CTS!

OldRoadDawg

With enough $$$ .... just about anything can be done>>>>

SilveradoSS500

OMG, is that a real supercharger?