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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
Thats a beautiful Camaro you got there!
I don't know a ton about it, but from going to car shows it seems like the most popular swap I see is the LS1 6.0.
Are you thinking about going with a turn key crate set up, or piece by piece?
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.
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!
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.
You’re right, I need to know what I already have. Google search yielded a kit from Summit (pn TFS-k413-580-560) to gain hp for the 454. Problem is $3500!
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.
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!
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.
Thanks. I just finished taking the body off and put on the other frame I built using all Global West suspension. But back to your car. The Edlebrock stuff works real well and it can be afforded. Not like AFR. Good luck.
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
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Engine swap 
(BBC Vs. SBC Vs. SBE) 
