Chevelle swap
#1
Chevelle swap
Hey all!
Been lurking awhile trying to figure out what to do to my 70 chevelle.
My initial plans were to go with the 502 Ramjet.
I've finally seen the light and decided to go for the LS swap.
I have read many posts watching everyone's builds, now for mine.
What engine should I start with?
I want a T56 as well.
Do I look for a take out ls1/2 and use the factory wiring?
or
wait for the ls3 crate (EFI or crate with manifold and carb)
or this one from evil-bay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LS3-T...spagenameZWDVW
Thanks in advance for the input.
Budget for engine/trans/wiring/computer around 10K
Been lurking awhile trying to figure out what to do to my 70 chevelle.
My initial plans were to go with the 502 Ramjet.
I've finally seen the light and decided to go for the LS swap.
I have read many posts watching everyone's builds, now for mine.
What engine should I start with?
I want a T56 as well.
Do I look for a take out ls1/2 and use the factory wiring?
or
wait for the ls3 crate (EFI or crate with manifold and carb)
or this one from evil-bay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LS3-T...spagenameZWDVW
Thanks in advance for the input.
Budget for engine/trans/wiring/computer around 10K
#2
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It cost us $12K to put an LS1/T56 (used) into our 67 Camaro. For your budget, I don't think you should touch a crate LS3. I would look for a pullout with trans, harness, computer (and driveshaft yoke for the trans). LS2 would be cool, but a late LS1 with the LS6 intake is pretty nice.
Last edited by 67rsss; 02-06-2008 at 09:59 PM.
#4
Hey all!
Been lurking awhile trying to figure out what to do to my 70 chevelle.
My initial plans were to go with the 502 Ramjet.
I've finally seen the light and decided to go for the LS swap.
I have read many posts watching everyone's builds, now for mine.
What engine should I start with?
I want a T56 as well.
Do I look for a take out ls1/2 and use the factory wiring?
or
wait for the ls3 crate (EFI or crate with manifold and carb)
or this one from evil-bay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LS3-T...spagenameZWDVW
Thanks in advance for the input.
Budget for engine/trans/wiring/computer around 10K
Been lurking awhile trying to figure out what to do to my 70 chevelle.
My initial plans were to go with the 502 Ramjet.
I've finally seen the light and decided to go for the LS swap.
I have read many posts watching everyone's builds, now for mine.
What engine should I start with?
I want a T56 as well.
Do I look for a take out ls1/2 and use the factory wiring?
or
wait for the ls3 crate (EFI or crate with manifold and carb)
or this one from evil-bay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LS3-T...spagenameZWDVW
Thanks in advance for the input.
Budget for engine/trans/wiring/computer around 10K
Yes it is 10K but the things that I always forget about (the minor details). Those things can eat you alive.
Motormounts
Headers
Fuel lines
Fuel Tank
Drive Shaft
other things not thought about
You start adding them up and it ends up costing a lot more than antcipated.
If you do buy this get the vette pulleys. They are better for a chevelle than the Z28 ones.
#5
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (12)
Welcome to the A-Body gang.. As far as an engine.. anyone will do, but that all depends on what your goal is as far as HP/TQ. As 67rsss said.. it can run you a lot of $$$ if you want to have to have a high HP engine with a lot of show parts.. then again you might be able to build a budget install for a few thousand if you are handy and know how to score parts on the cheap.
So.. what is your goals and how big of a budget do you have.
So.. what is your goals and how big of a budget do you have.
#7
any more thoughts on what to start with?
It seems that take outs with a six speed are pretty high and you get a 40,000 mile engine that some beat the *(&^! out of!
Engine from builder or crate?
Anyone out there that if they had to do it over again would have just gone with a non LS crate 454 or 502?
It seems that take outs with a six speed are pretty high and you get a 40,000 mile engine that some beat the *(&^! out of!
Engine from builder or crate?
Anyone out there that if they had to do it over again would have just gone with a non LS crate 454 or 502?
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#8
any more thoughts on what to start with?
It seems that take outs with a six speed are pretty high and you get a 40,000 mile engine that some beat the *(&^! out of!
Engine from builder or crate?
Anyone out there that if they had to do it over again would have just gone with a non LS crate 454 or 502?
It seems that take outs with a six speed are pretty high and you get a 40,000 mile engine that some beat the *(&^! out of!
Engine from builder or crate?
Anyone out there that if they had to do it over again would have just gone with a non LS crate 454 or 502?
I had a 454 big block but I couldn't stomach paying 10K for a RamJet502 that was going to get 12 mpg at best. The power is awesome, but gas is not ever going to get cheaper (unless mr. fusion is invented). I got an LS2 (engine, harness, computer, pulleys, no tranny) out of a GTO for a deal, about 4K and it has 5,000 miles on it. I will probably be right around 10K or so for the swap. I installed a comp cams XR265 that will give the engine some extra power in the range you are looking for. I hope to get 20mpg when finished on the highway. I expects a little better but overall I will be happy with that as long as the drivability is perfect.
Back to your question, I don't know yet for sure if I will regret the LSX swap, I will tell you in a few months when I have the car running.
Good luck on your decision.
#9
any more thoughts on what to start with?
It seems that take outs with a six speed are pretty high and you get a 40,000 mile engine that some beat the *(&^! out of!
Engine from builder or crate?
Anyone out there that if they had to do it over again would have just gone with a non LS crate 454 or 502?
It seems that take outs with a six speed are pretty high and you get a 40,000 mile engine that some beat the *(&^! out of!
Engine from builder or crate?
Anyone out there that if they had to do it over again would have just gone with a non LS crate 454 or 502?
#11
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (12)
After a year of driving my swap.. I have no regrets with starting this without any prior knowledge of the Gen III/IV engine or even EFI..
Great power from these engine and even with 4.11 gears I still get 23+ at freeway speeds all day long !
Putting the engine in is not much harder that any other swap no a days.. they are almost a common swap to do.. With this Forum.. you can find all of your answer if you ask your question right !
Good Luck..
Great power from these engine and even with 4.11 gears I still get 23+ at freeway speeds all day long !
Putting the engine in is not much harder that any other swap no a days.. they are almost a common swap to do.. With this Forum.. you can find all of your answer if you ask your question right !
Good Luck..
#13
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Don't give up looking for a deal. It took me a couple of years to find a good deal, but I ended up buying a whole car for less than most people buy the motor for. There was a post in the for sale forum that someone was selling a camaro shell with a motor and A4 for like 3K, but it was in California I think.