87Aerocoupe

iTrader: (1)

Hello,

I need some help determining how to best go about this conversion.

Current info:

• curb weight: ~3600lb (full trim)
• 3.73 posi rear (7.5in)
• 355ci Gen-I w/Edelbrock intake/cam/carb (dyno'd 206HP/246TQ) with 200-4R trans, stock tires.

Goals / requirements for conversion:

• Street manners
• Reliable
• Plan to run A/C (I'm in TX!)
• 400+HP (@crank) with strong torque low to mid range (Cruising mainly, with very limited time at track)
• No plans ever for forced induction/spray

Budget: ~$3000

Once completed, I will not be changing anything to "get a little more" as that becomes a sinkhole my wallet can't afford (I have a Wife and 3 children-all girls). I'm looking for a 5.3, 6.0, or 6.2 with trans (4l60/65/80e).

Can I get the desired goals satisfied? The budget should cover Engine/Trans/Wiring Harness/ECU/Tuning and whatever parts upgrades/mods are needed to attain desired power level. I realize that I can sell off some parts from the build to help offset, so if it needs to go over $3k a little bit, I'm okay with that (not to mention selling off the existing eng/trans will help).

I've done lots of reading here, but there's so much info. (which is a good thing). I'm not looking to be a one-of-a-kind setup, just looking to see if anyone knows a tried and true setup, that can fit into this budget.

Thanks in advance.

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

Well a good question upfront is do you plan to go Carb or EFI?

Here is some numbers from what I did..

BRP Headers: $650
Jegs Trans Crossmember: $160
LS Conversion Motor Mount Plates: $33
GM Muscle Car Oil Pan Kit (from Dealership, was cheapest): $150

So right there any LS Engine and a Trans just mounted in the car is already $1k.

I used a LS Harness & PCM that I bought a few years ago for $260, and did the wiring myself.

Fuel Injection for me was this..

'86 V6 MC EFI Gas Tank & Sending Unit: $360
'99-'04 Corvette Regulator/Filter: $55
Custom Fuel Line: $25

Then I had a $260 Driveshaft made to go from the T56 to the 9". That 10 Bolt should hold up in yours..the 2004R will work with a LS Engine, you will have to use a Flexplate & Spacer from a 2500HD truck.

It depends on what way you go, I could work with your budget..then again I do my own work too.

Hopefully them numbers help.

87Aerocoupe

iTrader: (1)

I plan to keep it EFI. I don't have any problems with trying to tackle the wiring myself, I think I've found some guides for that on here.

I also plan on doing as much of the work myself where possible.

I agree, the stock rear should be fine for my intended use.

The $3k is not a firm budget, but a starting point to see if it's reasonable to do, if not, then I'm open to hear what's necessary to adjust and see if I can swing it.

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

Ok..well from that and what I did I factor about $1500 to put the Engine in the car with Headers, and that's a complete EFI setup. Give/take a little bit..not much tho.

I used a LT1 Camaro Radiator & Fans from my Camaro..it works well.

If you got wiggle room then I'd say look for a $1500 Engine & PCM/wiring setup.

I'm thinking a 6.0l..


Btw, the blue line in my sig is my swap thread if you want some good pics.

87Aerocoupe

iTrader: (1)

I realize this blows the budget, but in looking around I've found a 6.0L (truck) with supercharger and only 51K on the clock. Asking $5000+ship it comes with all accessories.

Monte4ever

iTrader: (2)

$5000 plus an added 1000 to $1500 to mount it. You've already doubled you cost. However, if the funds are there I say the more power the better. But now you have to add the cost of a new reared, up-graded trans, and fuel system to name a few $$$$$$. Trust me, when you go FI the cost quickly escalates.

tryinggenIII

add 500 for tuning to that 5000k + shipping

87Aerocoupe

iTrader: (1)

lol, it was wishful thinking. I was just sorting by lowest mile 6.0's I could find and it was one of the first listed.

Otherwise, back in reality:

LQ9's
There's a 2005 Escalade w/78K on the clock asking $1450 (local pickup)
04 Silverado w/47K $1500 (local)

L76
08 Silverado w/50K $2025+ship


So far 6.2's or LS3's I've found are $3000 and up +ship.

01cherryreds10

iTrader: (9)

This is the best route. If you come across a kit, don't even bother. You really need to match up separate components for your car.

My car has BRP engine mounts, an Iceman 4L60E crossmember, and is going to be getting BRP headers.

IMO, the extra $400 for the headers over a set of Pacesetters is worth every penny. From the coating, to the drop in install, to the welds on the flanges.

I went with the CTS-V pan, which was right around $160 for everything needed.

I blew my budget wide open during my build, if I had to do it all over again I probably would save at least $700 between buying things that don't fit, wanting to turn the car into an AC delete car, the BRP "engine swap kit", harnesses.... The list goes on, it's a little more than $700 too...

DO RESEARCH!!


For the power goals 400 isn't too hard to get. I hope for 400 and I've got:
LQ4 stock internal
Katech rod bolts
TR224 cam 112lsa
TSP CNC 243's w/ 5 angle valve job
PRC dual springs
Comp rocker trunion upgrade
LS6 intake
P&P TB and MAF
1-7/8 longtubes
2.5" dual exhaust w/ x-pipe

I tried doing the wiring, but I don't have tha patience, or time to do something like that at home. Opted to go with the Painless 28 circuit LS integrated harness for GM cars. Also went with a Dakota Digital dash because I'd end up spending 3/4 of what the Dakota costs fixing and adapting the stock cluster to my LS engine.

Last but not least, don't be scared away from someone selling a 5.3, you can easily make 400 on one and if you ever find a 6.0 on the cheap then it's a direct swap.

I think we need pics of the aerocoupe though

kj598bbc

Those are fairly reasonable prices in the Illinois and Indiana area, and the 47k Lq9 gets my vote after a bit of bargaining. I have an Lq9 for my MOSTLY race car, yet i also have two 5.3's for my mostly dd/streetcars. I wouldnt hesitate to lean towards a modded 5.3 to keep cost down and spring for good headers and so on.

87Aerocoupe

iTrader: (1)

only have one pic up ATM, http://www.87aerocoupe.com/

This was taken just days after I bought it, back in '99-2000ish. Was my DD through college until about '05.

Hmm, 5.3 (LM7) w/49K for $750 local, another 5.3 (LM7) w/16K for $1000 (local)

L33 w/3K $1350+ship, L33 w/50K $960+ship, L33 w/62K $800+ship

Anyone have a link to a (documented) 5.3 ~400HP build? I tried searching "L33" and "LM7" +"build" but only found Q's about each.

EDIT: found one build

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...205-heads.html

Any others for reference as well?

Thanks to everyone for the quick responses!

Isolde

iTrader: (4)

For 400 HP at the flywheel, you don't need a cam or headers. A stock LS1 makes 400 gross HP just using the '00 'vette cam, the '01-'04 intake manifold, and the 'vette exhaust manifolds. I believe it was Texas Speed that found this, and I believe it was GMHTP magazine where I read it. Anyway, 400 HP at 5600 rpm is decent.
Spend your funds on a T56 instead. They seem to be selling for $1200, which is triple what I can find good 4L60Es for. The '02 Z28 SS with T56 ran a 12.96 on a hot august afternoon, showroom stock, and was still able to return 31 mpg. That's a tough combo to beat. And that's over 3800 pounds with driver.

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

I did the AC Delete..used the factory box out of a Malibu.

To get the T56 in you will have to beat the tunnel up a little.