LS1Tech is LS3-Swapping a Buick Roadmaster!!! (Project Overview)
We’re dropping a CARB legal LS3 E-ROD Connect & Cruise system with Holley Accessories into a 1992 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon! (LS3 Roadmaster Wagon Project | Part 1)
Hey, folks. Michael here from the LS1Tech front-page editorial team. I technically spend more time over on our sister site, CorvetteForum. But I’ve crossed the GM event horizon to share exciting news with all you LS Swap enthusiasts. It’s official. It’s real. No more delays. We’ve embarked on our new CARB Legal LS3 Wagon Swap project. And today marks the release of Part 1 of about 15 or so weekly episodes that will be running each Wednesday — #WagonWednesday — now through next spring…
A Little Backstory
Three years ago, I was looking for a fun daily and fell in love with the idea of driving an ’80s or ’90s station wagon. Ultimately, I settled on the Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon, part of the ’91-’96 B-Body family of sedans and wagons, and ended up with a 1992 model.
Click HERE to follow our project’s LS1Tech BUILD THREAD!
Don’t get me wrong, the ’94-’96 LT1-powered variants rightfully get all the attention, but finding a red one that was both affordable and not clapped out proved challenging. (They tend to have TERRIBLE front door panels.) So I bought a red-on-red-on-red ’92 and turned it into the family cruiser. Beach trips. Disneyland vacations. Drive-in movies. It was a total blast to drive. Garnered all sorts of thumbs-ups and smiles. And it was key-on-and-go-every-time reliable.
But it was also very, very slow.
So I began dreaming about building the wagon to see if it could ride and roar more like some type of forgotten Cadillac V project. And after TWO YEARS of research, pitching partners, and waiting for supply chain delays, it’s finally time to begin…
And so I’ll hope you’ll join me for this CARB-legal LS3 wagon swap journey.
CARB-Legal LS3 Wagon Swap Parts List
Naturally, there are a million different ways (and budget levels) to approach an LS swap. (This site is literally dedicated to this process.) For this project, for this particular platform, here’s where my research led me. And, of course, all of our wonderful partners deserve a massive THANK YOU. Some gave parts, others offered discounts, and Chemical Guys sent along some amazing detailing products while helping buy parts (Two birds, one brush?).
PARTNERS
- Guaranty Chevrolet: https://www.occhevy.com/
- Holley: https://www.holley.com/
- Magnaflow: https://www.magnaflow.com/
- Chemical Guys: https://www.chemicalguys.com/
- Dakota Digital: https://www.dakotadigital.com/
- Michelin: https://www.michelin.com/
- Wilwood Brakes: https://www.wilwood.com/
- Eaton: https://www.eaton.com/
- Sony: https://electronics.sony.com/
DISCOUNTS PROVIDED
- Summit Racing: https://www.summitracing.com/
- Muscle Rods aka BRP HotRods: http://www.brphotrods.com/
- Sikky Manufacturing: https://www.sikky.com/
- American Racing Wheels: https://www.americanracing.com/
- B-Body Parts Specialist Tommy Gosselin: Message HERE on Facebook.
Each and every product involved with this build was my first/dream choice.
Drivetrain
The heart of our Wagon project is the Chevrolet Performance LS3 E-ROD Connect & Cruise system, courtesy of Guaranty Chevrolet in Santa Ana California (they are amazing and the best place to shop for Chevy Performance gear on the west coast). This kit includes a brand new 430 hp, 425 lb-ft of torque LS3 motor, a remanufactured 4L65E transmission, as well as all the wiring, computers, exhaust headers, and sensors. And thanks to the included catalytic converters and EVAP system components, it’s 50-state smog legal for all 1995 and older vehicles (aka OBD I).
(Yes, I know there are more powerful options — and everyone on YouTube throws twin-turbskis at everything — but, for this build, the LS3 engine fit better literally and figuratively. It won’t be The Fastest Wagon Ever, but this isn’t a project for clickbait. The goal here is to build a quick, sleeper cruiser and enjoy it for many years.)
To round out the Connect & Cruise system, Holley sent over the brilliant Mid Mount Accessory Drive system. If you’re not familiar, Holley figured out a way to turn a water pump housing into a bracket for the accessories, which tucks everything in closer to the block. It includes a water pump, a/c compressor, power steering pump, alternator, steam tube port, SFI certified damper, and much more. Holley also sent over a 302-2 LS swap oil pan as well as fuel system components from the Earl’s Vapor Guard product line.
Other parts you’ll need include a starter as well as an air intake. So we snagged an OEM LS3 starter from AcDelco as well as a universal LS3 intake from Sikky Manufacturing, who offered us a discount. To hold the engine and transmission in place, we went with Muscle Rods aka BRP HotRods’ B-Body engine mounts and transmission cross-member.
Cooling & Gauges
To keep our Wagon running cool, Chemical Guys helped us buy a three-core all-aluminum radiator — with integrated oil and trans coolers — from Radiators Express. Because this radiator is for 94-96 Impalas and Roadmasters, we’ll also be able to swap my mechanical fan for dual electric fans from an Impala. Dakota Digital supported the project with a dual-fan controller as well as the amazing VHX-1023 universal gauge cluster. It’s actually so close in size to my OEM cluster, I found a way to install it into the OEM cluster’s plastic housing.
Handling
To help put 430 ponies to the ground and maintain control, Eaton sent over a TrueTrac differential. Wilwood provided a direct bolt-on D52 Brake Kit with calipers, pads, and stainless brake lines. Michelin sent over a set of Pilot Sport All-Season performance tires. And Wheel Pros gave us a discount on a new set of American Racing Wheels.
To improve steering and suspension, Summit Racing stepped up with a discount on several QA1, Hotchkis, and Borgeson components. We’re swapping in QA1 upper and lower control arms as well as upper and lower trailing arms. We’re adding a QA1 front sway bar as well as a Hotchkis rear sway bar. And don’t forget QA1 single adjustable coilers all around. For the steering, we have a full Hotchkis front-end rebuild kit as well as a Borgeson quick ratio universal steering box. And we’re saying so long to the Buick’s rag joint by swapping in a Doorman steering shaft original made for the Jeep Cherokee. (Thanks to BangShift.com for the idea!)
Exhaust
Last and certainly not least, once the swap is complete, we’re taking the wagon to Magnaflow where they’re going to install a customer 3-inch exhaust using their new xMod Universal Mufflers. From mild and wild, xMod mufflers allow you to customize the tone and volume to your liking. And for me, I’m exited to have a quiet exhaust for road tripping (B-Bodies drone like mad, y’all) and something a little more rowdy for around town and car shows.
The Journey Ahead
You’ve seen where we’re headed with a roadmap of parts. The current plan is to release one new video and article every Wednesday for the next 14-plus weeks. I’m also going to maintain an LS1Tech build thread RIGHT HERE if you’re so inclined to follow or have any questions about any particular parts.
To be very clear, this is not a how-to series. I’m not a mechanic. And this is actually my first swap, one that was only made possible by having this amazing job. My goal is to simply to document the journey — all of its ups and downs and mistakes and triumphs — and learn as I go and share that experience with anyone who is interested.
I hope you’ll join me and my amazing partners. Thanks so much for reading!
