Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

6.2 Gen V LT1 A-body swap

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-30-2016, 07:18 PM
  #1  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
71buickfreak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 7 Posts

Default 6.2 Gen V LT1 A-body swap

I am in the beginnings of an LT1 swap into a 71 GM A-body. Looking for advice, ideas, issues you know about, etc.

What I have-
wet sump LTI crate with controller kit, bellhousing to mate a 4l65e, starter.

I will likely be using dirty dingo mounts and PS pump acc drive.

I do not have the engine here yet, it is in transit.

Last edited by 71buickfreak; 04-22-2016 at 05:21 PM.
Old 03-31-2016, 11:23 AM
  #2  
TECH Senior Member
 
Jimbo1367's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,816
Received 583 Likes on 461 Posts

Default

I'll be looking forward to reading your swap thread !!!
Old 04-01-2016, 12:51 PM
  #3  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
71buickfreak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 7 Posts

Default

Engine arrived today. So bad ***, this engine.

On first glance, IF the Dirty Dingo mounts that are on the way put the engine in the same place as the Holley stock-location mounts with an LS, it will be very close to clearing the stock crossmember without cutting. I may need to raise the engine about 1/2" and slide it back 1", just depends on were those mounts sit the engine. The wet sump pan is not as bad as I was expecting. The rear sump sits about 7-inches from the edge of the front lip of the front portion of the pan itself (not the block or mounting flange).
Old 04-01-2016, 05:20 PM
  #4  
TECH Senior Member
 
Jimbo1367's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,816
Received 583 Likes on 461 Posts

Default

PICS from all angles please

thanks!!!
Old 04-03-2016, 09:37 PM
  #5  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
71buickfreak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 7 Posts

Default

It is still in the crate, I have a 69 Chevelle getting a 5.3 and M21 that is in the way at the moment. I will try to get some more pics in the next couple of days. I am going to start taking real measurements this week.
Old 04-04-2016, 05:50 PM
  #6  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
71buickfreak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 7 Posts

Default

Here are some good pics with measurements of the wet sump pan. Hopefully, I will get it off the crate this week.




Full shot of front shallow pan





Front pan edge to rear sump 7 3/4"





depth of rear sump 1 3/4" (to shallow pan)





Full rear sump depth 3 3/4" (to block)





Rear section of front shallow pan 2"





Oil cooler ports





Front drive with offset water pump





Rear





Passenger side
Old 04-04-2016, 05:54 PM
  #7  
Staging Lane
 
69 Custom S Vert's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Gonna be a great ride!
Old 04-09-2016, 01:50 PM
  #8  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
71buickfreak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 7 Posts

Default

This is the LT1 accessory drive from Chevrolet Performance. This will work well if you DO NOT have power steering. This has an AC compressor mounted low, may not clear the chassis in some cars, have not test fit it in the car yet.



I will be testing the Dirty Dingo acc drive next, which is based on the LT1 truck engine. Waiting for the crank pulley to arrive. The DD drive adds PS and moves the components up top.
Old 04-09-2016, 01:55 PM
  #9  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
71buickfreak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 7 Posts

Default

Dirty Dingo slider mounts. The Corvette manifolds do not clear the slider mounts, but they won't work in an A-body chassis anyway.

Old 04-22-2016, 05:02 PM
  #10  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
71buickfreak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 7 Posts

Default

Got the engine sitting in the chassis today. It is truly a thing of beauty. That said, I have a lot of work ahead to make it actually fit. All of the test fitting was done with the LT bellhousing installed.





let's start from the beginning:
The LT1 accessory drive will clear the chassis with the low-mount AC. The Dirty Dingo sliders, however, do not fit the accessory drive in the rear position. The DD accessory drive is the solution there.





The factory liquid to liquid oil cooler does not fit the chassis. It would require a lot of cutting on the crossmember. It may be possible to bolt it on once the engine is in place, but it does not look likely.





Oil pan. It is close to clearing with the DD sliders using the supplied spacers. If you doubled up the spacers, it might clear. The issue is the height of the engine. With the DD sliders in place, the engine is very high in the chassis already. The engine is slid back as far as it can, the DI fuel pump is less than an inch from the firewall. It needs to move forward, gotta cut the crossmember to get there.





In order to clear the pan, the crossmember will need to be cut quite a bit. About 4" forward of the rear, the full width of the pan needs to be dropped about an inch in order for the mounts to full seat onto the frame stands.





Old 04-22-2016, 06:56 PM
  #11  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
33willys's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Alamogordo, NM
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
Received 43 Likes on 32 Posts

Default Gen V

If only I could....Wonder if one day I will be able to afford such a swap. Said that about the LSx series too. Wonder why GM performance made a pulley setup with A/C but not power steering? Did I miss something?
Old 04-22-2016, 07:15 PM
  #12  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
71buickfreak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 7 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by 33willys
If only I could....Wonder if one day I will be able to afford such a swap. Said that about the LSx series too. Wonder why GM performance made a pulley setup with A/C but not power steering? Did I miss something?
All the new cars have electric power steering. The reason the 14-up 2500HD trucks don't have the L86 6.2 is because they run a hydroboost for the brakes.
Old 04-23-2016, 06:53 AM
  #13  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
 
alocker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: NW Chicago Burbs
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

Never new the GenIV's got rid of the pan gasket. Probably a significant cost saver.
Old 04-24-2016, 07:29 AM
  #14  
TECH Senior Member
 
Jimbo1367's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,816
Received 583 Likes on 461 Posts

Default

gen v
Old 05-12-2016, 12:19 AM
  #15  
Staging Lane
iTrader: (3)
 
jaleclerc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 64
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default lt1 swap

pm sent
Old 05-19-2016, 09:55 AM
  #16  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
71buickfreak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 7 Posts

Default

Update- the crossmember has been modded. Requires cutting a large section of the crossmember. Found a couple more issues-

The DD slider mounts cover the factory oil pressure port on the front driver side of the block. It might be possible to mod the adapters so you can use a 90-degree elbow, it is really tight.

There are two ports on the block at that location. The upper port is pressurized, the lower port is the return side. This is for the truck engines that use the vacuum pump.

The alternative is to do the oil bypass mod like on the LS engines. There is no boss on the cover, and this only works if you are not using the factory oil cooler.
Old 05-19-2016, 11:26 AM
  #17  
TECH Senior Member
 
Jimbo1367's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,816
Received 583 Likes on 461 Posts

Default

What does the general use the vacuum pump for? Is it only 4 trucks? When I first it had a vacuum pump, I figured it was for the engine , helping to limit oil comsumption.

Thanks for posting your results!!!!!!
Old 05-19-2016, 11:29 AM
  #18  
TECH Senior Member
 
Jimbo1367's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,816
Received 583 Likes on 461 Posts

Default

Post 9. Shows a great profile view of the pan. Thanks again
Old 05-19-2016, 12:03 PM
  #19  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
71buickfreak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 7 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Jimbo1367
What does the general use the vacuum pump for? Is it only 4 trucks? When I first it had a vacuum pump, I figured it was for the engine , helping to limit oil comsumption.

Thanks for posting your results!!!!!!
The pump is for the braking system, it is a brake booster vacuum pump. It is lubricated by the oiling system and driven off the accessory drive.
Old 05-19-2016, 12:13 PM
  #20  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
71buickfreak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 7 Posts

Default

Just got off the phone with Brent at DD, they have an adapter plate for the factory bypass cover for the oil pressure. Technically it is a feed port for their turbo kit.


Quick Reply: 6.2 Gen V LT1 A-body swap



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:20 AM.