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My LS1 Swap is Complete! (Into a 97 Trans Am)

Old 05-26-2009, 08:31 AM
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Cool My LS1 Swap is Complete! (Into a 97 Trans Am)

Well, at least 98% complete. It is getting a Racetronix fuel pump, some more cleaning of the engine bay and wires, stainless braided fuel lines, A/C, LS1 heater hoses, and some tuning. I do not consider this project 100% complete yet at all. Oil pressure and coolant temp gauges don't work. Tach is reading like half of the engine's RPM.

It's driving right now untuned running on a weak fuel pump, so I can't run the crap out of it until I get more fuel, but the Patriot 225/229 cam exceeded my expectations already. It's a 2000 LS1 with a rebuilt T56 and a Hurst shifter. Motor had ~60k miles. Wiring harness was modified by Speartech. It now has Pacesetter longtube headers, with a fresh ceramic coating on them now inside and out, new Pacesetter ORY, Patriot 225/229 .580/.590 114+4 cam, PAC 1218 valve springs, LS2 Timing chain.

This summer I will have an LS6 intake manifold, the fuel pump, and a good dyno tune on it.

Also had a new headliner put in, with some Hotchkis lowering springs and low mileage shocks, WS6 front sway bar, LS1 brakes.

Idle Video. Crappy point & shoot. Video doesn't do justice at all.

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Old 05-26-2009, 11:34 AM
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Nice. Enjoying it?
Old 05-26-2009, 02:01 PM
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So far I love it, but I am dying to get a fuel pump in (this weekend), an LS6 intake and a tune. Then I'll really be loving it.
Old 05-26-2009, 04:55 PM
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Sweet ride man.. I've been kicking the idea around for a while but I hate to change it. It's the 27th WS6 off the line and only has 30,000 on it
Old 05-26-2009, 06:19 PM
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I thought about doing it to mine but I love the LT1 sound! Clean looking swap. My bud is doing the swap to a third gen. I'd love to buy an Iroc vert and do the swap. For some reason the camaro vert 3rd gens look so clean with the top down.

Did you to a4 or M6??
Old 05-26-2009, 06:21 PM
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Stupid me M6...nice

I hate the a4 in my 00, going t56. asap
Old 05-26-2009, 09:59 PM
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I second the LT1 sound. Mine sounds like a nascar race car. But really want the LS1 power... not to mention I still have some parts to do a LS1 twin turbo
Old 05-26-2009, 11:29 PM
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I always liked the sound and lowend torque of the LT1, I won't deny that.
Old 05-26-2009, 11:36 PM
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really nice man. I saw it at G13, I talked to you a little on Friday.
Old 05-27-2009, 06:58 PM
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Cool. What did ya drive?
Old 05-27-2009, 07:07 PM
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nice build man!
Old 05-27-2009, 07:58 PM
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Clean!!!!
Old 05-28-2009, 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by HoLLo
Cool. What did ya drive?
95 red z, with black stripes. I was on the top level.
Old 05-30-2009, 08:46 AM
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It's getting a Racetronix fuel pump + wiring harness upgrade as we speak.. Along with some more cleaning of the engine bay.
Old 06-04-2009, 08:59 AM
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Well I got the Racetronix fuel pump in. It runs great, but now I have another problem. The clutch fluid is heating up from the headers and a good WOT run will lock me out of 4th gear for a little bit until it cools, while the pedal drops to the floor. Gonna get some heater hose and reflective tape and wrap it and see if it helps.

Also Low Oil stays on, and as soon as I drop the E-Brake I get ABS INOP, and I have a SES light for code P0452 which is a Fuel Tank Pressure low voltage, which should have been fixed with the fuel pump. I've cleared the code and it comes back after awhile.. It's always something wrong no matter what with these cars.
Old 06-09-2009, 11:06 PM
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Complete engine bay pics. This was done last week and I was never able to get a chance to take pics, so I did today before I washed my car. Changes since last engine bay shot: Cleaned up wiring and engine bay, stainless braided fuel line & fuel line rerouted, Air conditioning.

Props to LSX Power & Development

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Last edited by HoLLo; 06-10-2009 at 08:13 AM.
Old 06-10-2009, 08:12 PM
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Gorgeous, gorgeous car!!
Old 06-12-2009, 11:47 PM
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Wow, you really got me thinking. At first I thought don't butcher a WS6, but really they are not all that special. I like how you kept the ram air box.

It looks like the LS1 gives you more room, is it easier to work on? I do like the LT1 but hate the Opti and the tight working area. I wonder if an LS2 or 3 would be just as easy. I also wonder what my good running virgin LT1 is worth... The best of both worlds, the LT1 body paired with an LSx. If i only had the time. You doing the brakes?

And I was just about to order the LT1 LPP headers when they are ready. Think I will hold off.
Old 06-13-2009, 12:16 AM
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Trust me the LSX is much easier to work with..

For a LS2 or LS3 there are suttle wiring differences, nothing too bad.
Old 06-14-2009, 12:10 PM
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I got a front end LS1 front brake setup along with a WS6 front sway bar and new steering rack. Pretty much the whole front end is new or partially new. LS1 definitely gives more room. Spark plugs and wires alone make it worth the swap!!

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