-TheBandit-

iTrader: (1)

Who has used one of the LSX plastic mockup blocks/heads and how did you like it? Was it light enough to move around by hand? Useful?

I am thinking about getting one to help with my swap. I have firewall mounted A/C and I'm thinking the mockup block & heads would help a lot to figure out where I may need to modify things. I don't want to stab & restab the motor a bunch of times if I can avoid it. Any opinions on their usefulness?

Also when using a mockup block, is it important to bolt up the tranny to determine final engine location or are just the motor mounts adequate? It's been a while since I've pulled or stabbed my engine and I can't remember if it moves around a lot when you mate the tranny or if the motor mounts by themselves determine how the engine is angled.

Thanks for any help/advice.

LS1MCSS

iTrader: (18)

The plastic block and heads is a lot of money to spend for something you'll probably only use once.

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

i use a hollowed out ls1 block. its heavy but its light enuff for me to carry and move around.

Pop N Wood

iTrader: (1)

Pulling the engine in and out a couple dozen times is a rite of passage in building your own monster car. Consider it a character building exercise.

Plus it is usually the accessories (like exhaust, alternator, AC etc) that forces the engine to be shifted in one direction or another. I don’t think a plastic block is going to be that detailed.

At some point you are going to want the full engine and trans in place before you set the final motor & trans mounting points. Being able to adjust all three can be crucial in getting the rear diff pinion angles right.

gofastwclass

iTrader: (2)

Ha, ha, ha, ha!!! If I had only kept count of the number of times I have done this... do I get a prize or a straight jacket? To paraphrase a quote from Pulp Fiction "just because we ARE characters doesn't mean we have character."


The block I saw had metal bosses for all the accessories, heads, valve covers and headers - but at $370 it wasn't economical for the home builder.


Cool to have - yes, necessary - hardly. Depending how well you measure and what your level of experience is you won't have to do it many times.

Since we are talking about expensive one-trick-pony dream tools - does anyone have a set of header legos?

Old Geezer

iTrader: (3)

Put the engine with the trans...

Firehawk441

iTrader: (41)

Before you consider buying one of these blocks, you might want to read this...
http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=258699

Pocket

iTrader: (22)

If you plan on doing several LSx swaps, then buy one, otherwise stick to your engine going in

Why would you have to pull/stab the engine more than a few times?

SB2NOVA

I would read this thread first. Doesnt sound like its worth the headaches...

hefftone

I'd look into buying a used one, then resell to somebody else. Should be able to recoup the cost, minus shipping.

iflytii

iTrader: (3)

I used a P-Ayr foam block for my project mock up with great results. I held tight tolerances around the oil pan and headers and everything was spot on when it came time for final assembly.