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Another swap thread (2002 Firebird 3.8l/T5 to Ls/T56)
Long time follower never really post but here goes. I purchased a 2002 Firebird in Oct. 2014 always liked the body style and always liked birds (step father has a 79 Formula). This car came across my lap out of nowhere I really liked its sleek look and the fact that it was a hardtop was a plus for me. But 1 main issue he 3.8l is very slow no pep at all. My first thought was the L67 I knew my t5 wouldn't hold up to that that power so I went after a T56 (was also looking for an adapter plate) I found the transmission in St. Louis so a buddy and I drove down and picked it up for a reasonable price. While buying the T56 the owner had a LS1 sitting right next to it he said "I'll throw the LS1 in for another $400" I happily picked up the engine too which was right in between a short block and long block stage lol. No sweat right! well now with ammo in hand I decided at that moment no more L67 looks like I'm going LS simple enough this car was designed for it. So for a year I just drove the car buying the best deals I could find. before long I had researched enough and had accumulated all the parts needed. Along with some fun extras. The day I bought it.
LS swap engaged
going from DBW to cable operated had to replace the pedal.
Remove a plug on the firewall for the throttle cable.
Inj2 to C101 harness.
Fuel system I picked up a roller for the hood but I got lot more including all the lines, 3:42 rear, tank of course, K-member (which I had 1 so now that's 2) some other misc stuff I sold the roller for what I purchased it for.
engine installed
Now its all together and running about a year later I pulled the engine and am having it rebuilt plus adding some goodies I also redid the trans I lost 5th,6th and reverse so now its stage 2.
I'm in the process of body work now while I wait for the engine to return from the shop (supposed to be the end of May)
it wasn't bad at all very straight forward. I really just wanted the swap over and on the road. As of right now I have pulled the motor had it rebuilt I put a cam in, bought 799s (which I had a little work done too), some common upgrades went to LS6 valley, Ls2 chain, TF timing chain dampener, Straub trunnion uprade, stage 2 refresh on the t56, and 4.10 gears. hoping soon to have a fast 102 and a better rear but for now this is where I'm at.
no worries man, I took a 5 year hiatus from tech and a lot has changed in that time. What air intake is that? Im not familiar with that setup, actually it seems a bit counter productive with a stock hood. That 10 bolt will last as long as it doesnt dead hook or wheel hop, if all you do is break traction you wont have a problem until you are ready to upgrade. Your second round of supporting mods is a good list, that top end should liven it up quite a bit.
I went 3.73 when I did mine but im curious how you feel ab out the 4.10's
I haven't got the set up in the car just yet I'll have he engine back in this week. I'm looking to complete the car at the end of August. I'm taking a week off in the beginning of August to spray the car. The air box is a Suncoast Creations I also have their Ram Air hood.
You and me both lol I've been wanting this car done for the past 6months. I also have a 98 Z28 that's next on the chopping block the motor is rebuilt for it also was done the same time the other one got done.
same mods as the chicken except its an auto we went with a SNS stage2 and 2800-3200K stall gear ratio will be a 3.42 should be quite peppy and cruise well.
Thank you guys! I just finished undercoating the car over the weekend hope to place that engine back in the car this weekend still need to put the new F6 wire loom on the harness
Finally got the engine back in the car whew lol its not hard work but I'm trying to make sure everything is clean so it is time consuming. I need to finish the A/C, put the sparkplug wires on, Buy a new air filter mines a K&N but as you can tell its toasted lol. fluids I still need to finish the ring and pinion on the other rear and sink it into the car hoping to do that before Sept.
Thank you, I feel the same way these cars have killer body lines they really look good with a nice set of wheels and the trim deleted, I have the front TT2s in the house the rear ones will be ordered in Sept. I'm almost ready for paint I'm going with the color shop Forged it has a light blue hue to it should look good but not distracting. Rear will be together in early Sept. I did do some interior dyeing when I got home the other night.
the filled in front plate panel is always a plus! I kind of wish I had done an antenna delete back in the day, but eventually i would like to do some form of widebody so ive been putting it off.
since you are going so far consider shaving the raised pontiac letters off the headlight cover. super subtle mod but it compliments the clean front end really well.
Not a bad Idea!, the plate is also one of the clear ones so it will be back lit. the parking lights will be halos when I get done I already have halos around the fog lamps. this photo was taken after the swap think of a challenger outside blueish white inside ring deep orange.
for the sake of pic whoring here are some of the door panels they came out darker than Ebony but that's okay I'll just have to do the rest of the interior lol the panels are from a 96 so the insert doesn't match I have the correct leather in another set of panels I was thinking about moving over, but then I saw a guy do light up inserts. I'm always careful though you do too much stuff the car starts to look tacky if I do lighted panels it will be blueish white to go with the rest of the car.
04-27-2017, 03:27 PM
Another swap thread (2002 Firebird 3.8l/T5 to Ls/T56) 
