Engine swap
#1
Engine swap
@
Hi Everyone. I’m new to this game and not a young guy at 60 but the excitement of horsepower and speed is still alive and well in me. I have owned this car for almost a year now after putting off my car ambitions for 40 years due to career and family and am having a ball with it. With a 454 and a 5 speed in it now I want opinions on ways to make it stronger and lighter. It all points to as LS upgrade from what I read. Question is which one? Thanks
#4
Launching!
iTrader: (3)
Hey. I to am an older man with a horsepower plan. It takes a lot of little things to get LS power into your '69. Fuel system, wiring, radiator, motor mounts, oil pan, transmission, cross member, driveshaft, and a lot of other little items. What you will get is a 400-500 hp drive train that will get your car into the mid 20mpg range that also starts every time and is fun fun to drive. The LS3 is where you get the better stuff. Just port the heads, add cam and tune, and you are at 500+ hp at the crank. You can go this direction below and have most of what you need or build up from scratch.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2015-Camaro...Y4EV:rk:1:pf:0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-GTO-LS...LOcP:rk:8:pf:0
Or spend some Reggie Jackson type money and get this
https://www.ebay.com/itm/19260833-GM...0KMk:rk:1:pf:0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2015-Camaro...Y4EV:rk:1:pf:0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-GTO-LS...LOcP:rk:8:pf:0
Or spend some Reggie Jackson type money and get this
https://www.ebay.com/itm/19260833-GM...0KMk:rk:1:pf:0
#5
10 Second Club
There are a few different routes you can take....
What kind of power do you want....or is it more just turn key and go.?
What are you plans for use, drag race, cutting corners, or just cruising ?
Is this a numbers matching car ?
Do you want to stay carbureted or go FI ?
Crate motor or "pull-out" ?
Factory controller or aftermarket ?
Doing your own work or paying someone ? (have they done swaps before/how many ?)
Just a few questions you need to ask yourself
What kind of power do you want....or is it more just turn key and go.?
What are you plans for use, drag race, cutting corners, or just cruising ?
Is this a numbers matching car ?
Do you want to stay carbureted or go FI ?
Crate motor or "pull-out" ?
Factory controller or aftermarket ?
Doing your own work or paying someone ? (have they done swaps before/how many ?)
Just a few questions you need to ask yourself
Last edited by Doug G; 03-04-2019 at 05:53 AM.
#6
Not really an auto mechanic here so it’s probably a turnkey motor for me. I do love neck snapping tourqe and horsepower so I’m thinking around the 500 level. No drag racing or corner cutting to speak of, just a healthy reliable cruiser. Car isn’t numbers matching just really nice! Probably get someone with experience to make this a reality. Thanks for the input!
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#11
Nothing wrong with the 454.Would likely sell it if I made the change. Just the usual oil leaks and poor fuel economy (but I sure didn’t buy the car for economic reasons!) It has the FAST 2.0 efi system on it now so it’s a very easy starter and mild mannered power plant. Dont really know what the output is. Need to get it to a dyno. I’m interested in knowing what heads and cam change one could do to wake it up. Tranny is a Tremec tko 600.
#13
10 Second Club
Need to know what you have now for head/cam recommendations....
200# could be had other ways IF you really wanted
MPG....I can't say its any better with a th350 and 4.10's (BBC Vs. SBC Vs. SBE)
200# could be had other ways IF you really wanted
MPG....I can't say its any better with a th350 and 4.10's (BBC Vs. SBC Vs. SBE)
#15
10 Second Club
Now, this all depends on what you have now...….May use little bigger cam ? OR smaller CC heads to up the compression ? OR both ??
Edelbrock Performer RPM 454-O Oval Port Aluminum Cylinder Head350-60459
Edelbrock Complete Head Gasket Set for Big Block Chevy Mark IV350-73631$112.95
All totals about $2500-$2750 ?
LS swap...……$5000 to $10,000+...just depends on the deals you find.
Edelbrock Performer RPM 454-O Oval Port Aluminum Cylinder Head350-60459
pair
$2,097.00Edelbrock Performer RPM Camshaft Kit for Big Block Chevy
350-71621$272.95Edelbrock Complete Head Gasket Set for Big Block Chevy Mark IV350-73631$112.95
Edelbrock Performer-Link Timing Chain Set for 1965-1995 Big Block Chevy 366-454 V8
350-78101$57.95All totals about $2500-$2750 ?
LS swap...……$5000 to $10,000+...just depends on the deals you find.
Last edited by Doug G; 03-06-2019 at 06:32 PM.
#16
Launching!
iTrader: (3)
Hey. The TKO 600 is a good transmission. It does have it's limits though. Here is what I did on my Laguna project. I installed aluminum heads, intake, and water pump. This dropped around 100lbs from my 454, now 496 engine. With good aluminum heads, intake, water pump for weight savings and power along with a roller cam you should make around 530 to 550 hp with your 454. I had to step up the the T56 Magnum for my combo due the torque output. By going this route you can save thousands of dollars and be up and running in a very short time. The value of your car will stay strong. The LS thing has been done so many times now people are wanting to go back to Big Blocks. It's like bell bottoms coming back in style. Nice car.
#17
I’m learning here guys so thanks for your input! One thing I have noticed is that when I was looking for the engine numbers on the front under the alternator I’m seeing that the numbers are missing so that has me thinking that the block has been machined at some time. Should change (increase?) compression as well as change clearances when doing head work.
Didn’t know about the big block vs ls trend going on.
Would I need to be concerned about using aluminum components bolted to the iron block or do the gaskets take care of the potential corrosion issues?
Doug, your ‘68 looks like a RUSH!
Need more pics of the Luguna , Kevin but the Rat and tranny sure makes my blood boil!
Didn’t know about the big block vs ls trend going on.
Would I need to be concerned about using aluminum components bolted to the iron block or do the gaskets take care of the potential corrosion issues?
Doug, your ‘68 looks like a RUSH!
Need more pics of the Luguna , Kevin but the Rat and tranny sure makes my blood boil!
#18
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
You wont have problems with the aluminum heads and iron block. The LS1 are mostly iron blocks with aluminum heads.
I did a bore and stroke, with ported heads and high lift cam on an LS3 for our gen 5 camaro. It's making just over 500 hp to the wheels. It's naturally aspirated and sounds really good. Had to go through some tuning headaches , but now its perfect.
It wasn't cheap. I think you could get what you want easily from sinking some money into your BB and it would be way less money than doing a full on LS swap.
I did a bore and stroke, with ported heads and high lift cam on an LS3 for our gen 5 camaro. It's making just over 500 hp to the wheels. It's naturally aspirated and sounds really good. Had to go through some tuning headaches , but now its perfect.
It wasn't cheap. I think you could get what you want easily from sinking some money into your BB and it would be way less money than doing a full on LS swap.
#20
10 Second Club
Thanks for the compliment
Reasons I say the things I do is due to IF you go the LS path, I would really hate to see you having remorse if it didn't reach your goals in mind (and not really that cheap as most >me< found out). Big block torque is tough to beat
Steel/Alum. combos are not an issue...but I did forget to add that you "might" need new push rods also.... ALWAYS MEASURE PTV clearance !!!!
BTW, check out www.Camaros.net it's a 1st Gen site "mostly". I have the same user name over there
Reasons I say the things I do is due to IF you go the LS path, I would really hate to see you having remorse if it didn't reach your goals in mind (and not really that cheap as most >me< found out). Big block torque is tough to beat
Steel/Alum. combos are not an issue...but I did forget to add that you "might" need new push rods also.... ALWAYS MEASURE PTV clearance !!!!
BTW, check out www.Camaros.net it's a 1st Gen site "mostly". I have the same user name over there