ealvarez11

I got this car in 1999 when I was 18 right before leaving for college. I drove it once with the original motor in it. Then I parked it, started tearing it apart, ran out of money, never finished putting her back together and left for Austin. She sat in my parents garage for 8 years.

Fast forward to 2009, along the way got married, had some kids, finished school, got a job, and decided to get her running again. I swapped the original 350 due to messed up this and that, plugged in a rebuilt 350 and drove it 3 times. The guy that installed it could never get it to run right.

I parked her again (this time in my grandmother's garage) and started tearing her apart from the bottom up (not frame off though).

Over a 3 year span:
Upgraded suspension
Repaired brake system
Repaired power steering
Repaired and pieced together new interior (yet to be installed)

and started the LSX journey...

ealvarez11

I decided on 5.7L (LS1) from 99 Trans-am, keeping TH400 tranny. 4L60e planned for a future swap.

Harness from PSI Conversion
Computer from local guy with tune
True dual exhaust (for now) custom local welding shop
Gauges from Vettaid
Lokar throttle cable
Lokar oil dip stick
Corvette regulator/filter
Walbro 255 lph external pump
F-body brackets and accessories all around
F-body oil pan (cleared no problems)
Hybrid A/C system (kwik performance compressor bracket, sanden 508 compressor, LS1 camaro condensor, C3 accumulator and evaporator, custom a/c lines)
Custom power steering line (combined C3 and LS1 hose)
TurnOne power steering pulley
Removed heater outlets on water pump to clear a-arm
Hughes Performance flexwheel/flywheel adapter to make engine mate with tranny TH400
1 inch setback mounting plates (ebay)
A bunch of other stuff I'm sure I'm forgetting

ealvarez11

Have dual exhaust for now but looking to fab my small block headers and side pipes to fit the car...bought LS1 flange online, cut SB flange, moved some of the pipes, and a few more fittings to clear power steering and should be good to go.

ealvarez11

can't get her to run for more than a second or two after firing up.

tips and suggestions appreciated

OutlawDrifter

iTrader: (9)

fuel pump issue? is your pump shutting off after it primes and not coming back on?

glad to see you are trying to make the sidepipes fit! C3's were born for sidepipes...my dad's 68 427 nickey was set up that way.

-Q-

iTrader: (10)

VATS disabled?

groundczero

iTrader: (2)

Nice to see another 1977, I started with the Hooker side mounts, and re-worked them using ls flanges, the drivers side with the Z-bar is a pain to re-route.
It sounds like you do not have the VATS tuned out or you did not make a chip to fool it.

psiconversion

iTrader: (5)

Sounds like a VATs issue on the tune. Give us a call if you have any other issues.

Jon
PSI

ealvarez11

thing is it was running fine before exhaust was put on...I also have two computers both have been tuned twice and had vats removed...i get good fuel pressure and good spark...i don't know what I'm missing

Crazier

I love your car. My two favorite classic cars are the C1 camaro and the c3 vette. (so how did I end up with a c4 vette and a ford inspired kit car, go figure)

Might be a stupid question as I am a bit of a noob, but could it be a problem with the O2 sensors on the exhaust?

i r teh noobz

iTrader: (4)

Check injector pulse.

Maybe you bumped some wires while you were in there?

psiconversion

iTrader: (5)

Double check your connections. Make sure that the 'SWITCHED' power wire of our harness is getting power in the key on and cranking position.

Check the fuel pressure.

Jon
PSI

ealvarez11

one thing i did notice when i pulled the spark plugs is that they looked fuel soaked but when i checked the spark while cranking it looked good...is there anything that would kill the spark during idle?

ealvarez11

could it be a bad maf ?

KHShapiro

iTrader: (10)

fix it?

ealvarez11

unfortunately not yet...car is 5 hour drive away. Plan is to fix it during Thanksgiving break (after Vegas trip!). I also just bought rebuilt 4l60e for $600 so I just added a few hundred more things to "fix" before I get her back on the road...this swap is never ending.

to be continued...

ealvarez11

So the good news first: on 01/22/13 my C3 LS1 FINALLY started growling!
Now the bad news: the LS1 needs a rebuild...sad face...burning oil like nobody's business. No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Long story short regarding problem with getting her started...got computer retuned three times by two different tuners, got new harness, made sure reluctor wasn't damaged, made 100% sure Cam and Crank sensors were good, made 100% sure all grounds were good, made 100% sure every other darn sensor and connector was good...turn the key and...click...nothing!
Got bad CPS signal from DLC...changed CPS again...turned the key and...click...nothing.

Checked power and ground signals to CPS both at 12V but got no on/off signal when hand turning crank...duh...O2 and CPS connectors were switched. Switched connectors...turned key and...VROOM!...and a big puff of BLACK smoke. Let her run for 30min hoping carbon deposit would burn off...nope.

Now time for a rebuild...argh!!!! Oh well at least I know she should start-up as soon as I am done with the rebuild. Will provide update.

ealvarez11

LSswap

Nice, and A/C too.

I'm assuming that's a rebuilt engine.

Did you ever get the 4l60e in there?

How's it running now?

ealvarez11

not a rebuilt engine. I trashed the old one and bought another used LS1 from 98 Z28. I did put the 4l60e in there. Almost road worthy. Getting her patched and painted as we speak.

Ac finally working as well.