Leaving the awd world... LS1 swap in the works
01-30-2016, 11:14 AM
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Leaving the awd world... LS1 swap in the works Tearing out the awd in order to do something more unique so I thought I'd start a thread with the progress.
Goals: maintain all factory functionality while and passing the state ref examination
Yesterday after weeks of research, I bought my LS1 on ebay from an 02 Camaro and recently purchased a T56 (built) by another forum member here.
I want to use a ford explorer 8.8" rear differential but also have my eyes set on the ZL1 camaro rear diff. The options for the 8.8" ford are more diverse but we will see what I finally decide to go with. Going with the oem evo rear diff was an option but read a lot about rear diffs for these things going out because of high torque and horsepower numbers. Much easier to have custom axles made than to try to make the oem rear diff indestructible.
General questions I will need to address in the coming days are:
1. Are there any aftermarket clusters that have CEL display. At this point I want to run an S2K cluster for a more modern look but if there is something aftermarket with similar style, I'd be open to it. I know the complications of running an S2k cluster because of the differences in the speedometer signal but hopefully the dakota electronics module is enough to fix that.
2. With the ZL1 rear differential (if I was to go with that), is the detroit locker my best option?
3. I read alot about R230 300zx diff being "durable," does anyone have any experience with these things in a setup exceeding 600whp?
4. Enough with the questions, here is what the LS swap is going to replace... 4g63t.... Ready for the flaming comments like "what a waste" hahah
Goals: maintain all factory functionality while and passing the state ref examination
Yesterday after weeks of research, I bought my LS1 on ebay from an 02 Camaro and recently purchased a T56 (built) by another forum member here.
I want to use a ford explorer 8.8" rear differential but also have my eyes set on the ZL1 camaro rear diff. The options for the 8.8" ford are more diverse but we will see what I finally decide to go with. Going with the oem evo rear diff was an option but read a lot about rear diffs for these things going out because of high torque and horsepower numbers. Much easier to have custom axles made than to try to make the oem rear diff indestructible.
General questions I will need to address in the coming days are:
1. Are there any aftermarket clusters that have CEL display. At this point I want to run an S2K cluster for a more modern look but if there is something aftermarket with similar style, I'd be open to it. I know the complications of running an S2k cluster because of the differences in the speedometer signal but hopefully the dakota electronics module is enough to fix that.
2. With the ZL1 rear differential (if I was to go with that), is the detroit locker my best option?
3. I read alot about R230 300zx diff being "durable," does anyone have any experience with these things in a setup exceeding 600whp?
4. Enough with the questions, here is what the LS swap is going to replace... 4g63t.... Ready for the flaming comments like "what a waste" hahah
01-30-2016, 11:34 AM
#2
I'm GUESSING this is a Talon or EVO? R230 - don't do it. The ZXTT housing won't accept the larger gears you're likely to want to run for daily usage. The ZXTT came with some fairly 4.xish gears as I recall and the Armada more normal gears won't fit the case. So, you'd need an Armada housing AND a ZXTT diff to get both the LSD and gears. You will then find that the stub axles shear and cannot handle good power and traction and last I looked nothing aftermarket existed. Your gear selection will be crappy no matter what. The HybridZ guys learned all of this and plans to do it after a shop in Florida took forever putting my diff together and stopped giving me updates (sigh). Costly experience.
Do an 8.8 be it IRS or otherwise, HybridZ guys have worked that out so if an R230 was a bolt in they could be helpful. If you stick to the stock diff research gear ratios, it might not be suitable for that reason alone.
Clusters - what ECU. If you go aftermarket there's a TON offered that look better than the S2K which I frankly find hideous and gaudy. Racepack, Motec, SpeedHut hardware can be setup nice, so can DakotaDigital, and a myriad of other companies. Some of the new CAN based gauges are incredibly flexible if you run AEM or proEFI.
Hope that helps some!
P.S. Which state's emissions exactly? Is the motor newer or older than platform, if older you may have a problem.
Do an 8.8 be it IRS or otherwise, HybridZ guys have worked that out so if an R230 was a bolt in they could be helpful. If you stick to the stock diff research gear ratios, it might not be suitable for that reason alone.
Clusters - what ECU. If you go aftermarket there's a TON offered that look better than the S2K which I frankly find hideous and gaudy. Racepack, Motec, SpeedHut hardware can be setup nice, so can DakotaDigital, and a myriad of other companies. Some of the new CAN based gauges are incredibly flexible if you run AEM or proEFI.
Hope that helps some!
P.S. Which state's emissions exactly? Is the motor newer or older than platform, if older you may have a problem.
01-30-2016, 04:15 PM
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I'm GUESSING this is a Talon or EVO? R230 - don't do it. The ZXTT housing won't accept the larger gears you're likely to want to run for daily usage. The ZXTT came with some fairly 4.xish gears as I recall and the Armada more normal gears won't fit the case. So, you'd need an Armada housing AND a ZXTT diff to get both the LSD and gears. You will then find that the stub axles shear and cannot handle good power and traction and last I looked nothing aftermarket existed. Your gear selection will be crappy no matter what. The HybridZ guys learned all of this and plans to do it after a shop in Florida took forever putting my diff together and stopped giving me updates (sigh). Costly experience.
Do an 8.8 be it IRS or otherwise, HybridZ guys have worked that out so if an R230 was a bolt in they could be helpful. If you stick to the stock diff research gear ratios, it might not be suitable for that reason alone.
Clusters - what ECU. If you go aftermarket there's a TON offered that look better than the S2K which I frankly find hideous and gaudy. Racepack, Motec, SpeedHut hardware can be setup nice, so can DakotaDigital, and a myriad of other companies. Some of the new CAN based gauges are incredibly flexible if you run AEM or proEFI.
Hope that helps some!
P.S. Which state's emissions exactly? Is the motor newer or older than platform, if older you may have a problem.
Do an 8.8 be it IRS or otherwise, HybridZ guys have worked that out so if an R230 was a bolt in they could be helpful. If you stick to the stock diff research gear ratios, it might not be suitable for that reason alone.
Clusters - what ECU. If you go aftermarket there's a TON offered that look better than the S2K which I frankly find hideous and gaudy. Racepack, Motec, SpeedHut hardware can be setup nice, so can DakotaDigital, and a myriad of other companies. Some of the new CAN based gauges are incredibly flexible if you run AEM or proEFI.
Hope that helps some!
P.S. Which state's emissions exactly? Is the motor newer or older than platform, if older you may have a problem.
01-30-2016, 06:10 PM
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After deciding and researching, I will go with the ZL1 rear diff. The LS3 pushes a lot of torque without that diff giving out so I feel safe with that. I will be adding this unless there is a better suggestion for getting traction
http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsS...trac/index.htm
Additional items:
1. Z28 Catalytic converter and muffler
2. Trunk latch or use aerocatch with key
3. Z28 fuel tank, an upgrade since it has the evap and its smaller than the evo gas tank I had originally. Trying to avoid running a fuel cell
4. Control arms and other reinforcement for chassis
http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsS...trac/index.htm
Additional items:
1. Z28 Catalytic converter and muffler
2. Trunk latch or use aerocatch with key
3. Z28 fuel tank, an upgrade since it has the evap and its smaller than the evo gas tank I had originally. Trying to avoid running a fuel cell
4. Control arms and other reinforcement for chassis
Last edited by LJ7two4; 01-31-2016 at 06:03 AM.
01-31-2016, 02:41 PM
#5
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I have no hate for this project, but in order to offer some suggestions it would be helpful to know how you plan to use this car. Is it a drag car, road race, street, drift, etc...?
Andrew
Andrew
01-31-2016, 03:47 PM
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Building the car for occasional street use and possibly setup for some light track duty.
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02-03-2016, 08:37 PM
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Thanks! Was looking into options and this one came up!
Also, this LS1 evo 8 making my goal a little more realistic...nore research to do
Looking into this clutch and bellhousing as well:
http://www.tickperformance.com/gm-ls...-applications/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/qti-rm-8020/overview/
LS1 Timing Chain upgrade? Anyone have any experience with this? I have an Ls1 out of an 02 camaro
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...chain-ls1.html
How are people attacking adding an AC compressor? This any good for my application?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tf...nNEaAvkA8P8HAQ
Last edited by LJ7two4; 02-07-2016 at 11:56 AM.
02-11-2016, 11:33 AM
#11
The 8.8" IRS diff can be had for cheap.... and has a zillion gear ratio offerings new from Ford Motorsports (FMS). The Explorer style can be had for under $250.... most likely it would need an LSD installed. Luckily there are also a zillion options for this diff depending upon use. The factory Track-Loc is probably all that you need. The Explorer diff mounts the pinion snout up top and provides lots of exhaust clearance... the Cobra/Thunderbird/Lincoln MKVIII diff mounts the pinion snout down low.... allowing less exhaust clearance.
Then you need to figure out how to mount the rear of the case.
New FMS gears from Summit: $160 (these are the quietest gears.... others aren't)
2.73, 3.08, 3.27, 3.31, 3.55, 3.73, 4.10, 4.56
The LS7 clutch and factory steel flywheel is a tank coming in at around 65lbs total. If that is your clutch choice... at least run an aluminum LS2 flywheel or it will rev like a drunk lazy dog.
Then you need to figure out how to mount the rear of the case.
New FMS gears from Summit: $160 (these are the quietest gears.... others aren't)
2.73, 3.08, 3.27, 3.31, 3.55, 3.73, 4.10, 4.56
The LS7 clutch and factory steel flywheel is a tank coming in at around 65lbs total. If that is your clutch choice... at least run an aluminum LS2 flywheel or it will rev like a drunk lazy dog.
02-11-2016, 11:38 AM
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The 8.8" IRS diff can be had for cheap.... and has a zillion gear ratio offerings new from Ford Motorsports (FMS). The Explorer style can be had for under $250.... most likely it would need an LSD installed. Luckily there are also a zillion options for this diff depending upon use. The factory Track-Loc is probably all that you need. The Explorer diff mounts the pinion snout up top and provides lots of exhaust clearance... the Cobra/Thunderbird/Lincoln MKVIII diff mounts the pinion snout down low.... allowing less exhaust clearance.
Then you need to figure out how to mount the rear of the case.
New FMS gears from Summit: $160 (these are the quietest gears.... others aren't)
2.73, 3.08, 3.27, 3.31, 3.55, 3.73, 4.10, 4.56
The LS7 clutch and factory steel flywheel is a tank coming in at around 65lbs total. If that is your clutch choice... at least run an aluminum LS2 flywheel or it will rev like a drunk lazy dog.
Then you need to figure out how to mount the rear of the case.
New FMS gears from Summit: $160 (these are the quietest gears.... others aren't)
2.73, 3.08, 3.27, 3.31, 3.55, 3.73, 4.10, 4.56
The LS7 clutch and factory steel flywheel is a tank coming in at around 65lbs total. If that is your clutch choice... at least run an aluminum LS2 flywheel or it will rev like a drunk lazy dog.
Theres a ton of LS7 clutch and flywheel for sale locally but they are for corvette?
Will this work for me or does it have to be specifically for camaro?
03-30-2017, 12:37 PM
#15
I have a Q45 rear diff in my LS/T56 S14 with a ratio of 3.54 and find it near perfect with a 275/40/17 on the back. 1st gear is very usable and I'm at about 1800rpm in 6th at 75mph. I wouldn't run anything shorter than a 3.73 with the T-56 if you want 1st gear to be usable. Good luck and have fun!
04-06-2017, 09:48 PM
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The car still under the knife. Need to figure out what pedal setup to use. Lookin into the wilwood brake and clutch combo for simplicity and ease of selecting master cylinders. Have a ford 8.8" with 3.73 gearing going in for the rear diff. Custom CV's and drive shaft will be needed but thats another issue for later on. I'm thinking of just doing this build completely NA but not sure yet
Here is the car currently...engine fits nicely
Here is the car currently...engine fits nicely
05-29-2017, 03:54 AM
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