F-Body LS1 to LS3 conversion
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6
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From: Sacramento, CA
F-Body LS1 to LS3 conversion Hello members,
I've had a conversion project in mind for a while now and feel like pulling the trigger. That is, if their are no fundamental flaws in this mission. If so, I would sure like to know about them sooner- than later.
I want to swap out the LS1 in my 1999 Z28 Camaro 6spd. manual for a LS3 crate engine with: " GM "plug-&-play" harness w/ECU and "front accessories package".
Questions:
Are the any engine vs 1999 engine compartment clearance conflicts? Will the LS3 engine bolt right up to my 1999 stock 6spd. manual transmission?Tricks or solutions? For those of you who have done this F-Body ('98-'02) LS1 to LS3 swap already, or those who have seen it done, or know something first hand about doing it- I would really appreciate your input on this subject.
Thanks
I've had a conversion project in mind for a while now and feel like pulling the trigger. That is, if their are no fundamental flaws in this mission. If so, I would sure like to know about them sooner- than later.
I want to swap out the LS1 in my 1999 Z28 Camaro 6spd. manual for a LS3 crate engine with: " GM "plug-&-play" harness w/ECU and "front accessories package".
Questions:
Are the any engine vs 1999 engine compartment clearance conflicts? Will the LS3 engine bolt right up to my 1999 stock 6spd. manual transmission?Tricks or solutions? For those of you who have done this F-Body ('98-'02) LS1 to LS3 swap already, or those who have seen it done, or know something first hand about doing it- I would really appreciate your input on this subject.
Thanks
I believe that that's going to be about as easy a swap as they come - but there's really no need to swap out the harness or the front accessories. Just transfer your existing pieces over, & get the ECM reprogrammed for the new displacement.
You might "top the project off" with an LS6 intake manifold & a set of long-tube headers while you have it all out, but as far as the actual swap goes it should be little more than a basic R&R...
Good luck.
You might "top the project off" with an LS6 intake manifold & a set of long-tube headers while you have it all out, but as far as the actual swap goes it should be little more than a basic R&R...
Good luck.
You won't need to buy the front drive accessories unless you just want new components as your front accessories will bolt up. The crate motor comes with a DBW throttle body so you will have to change your gas pedal or swap the throttle body for a 90mm cable throttle body. I believe you could use your existing computer but you would need to change the injector plugs, extend the cam sensor harness, and extend the knock sensor harness. There are extension and adapter harnesses out there for all of these. I would personally use the newer computer if I were you. The computer and wiring harness from GM comes with the DBW pedal and its not hard to install.
By the way the LS6 intake suggestion is not correct for this motor. It has the newer heads and the LS1 / LS6 intakes do not work on them. However the crate motor comes with the newer intake so you will be fine.
By the way the LS6 intake suggestion is not correct for this motor. It has the newer heads and the LS1 / LS6 intakes do not work on them. However the crate motor comes with the newer intake so you will be fine.
OK, I apologize, I didn't remember that the LS3 used different heads 
& was thinking about the motor in terms of a long-block, so the TB never even entered the picture for me... 
One thing that neither one of us mentioned is that the LS3 almost certainly has a 58x reluctor wheel on the crank, which is different than the 24x on the original LS1s, so you'll have to account for that as well.
Good luck.
& was thinking about the motor in terms of a long-block, so the TB never even entered the picture for me... One thing that neither one of us mentioned is that the LS3 almost certainly has a 58x reluctor wheel on the crank, which is different than the 24x on the original LS1s, so you'll have to account for that as well.
Good luck.
I am thinking another harness might be a better idea, the LS3 uses differenet ECM connectors. I'm not sure of adapters on the market. The PCM will most likley not control IAC and TPS so you may have to stick with DBW. Verify with an expert first 
I'm in the process of doing nearly the same thing with my '01 with an L92 engine.
At this point, I'm keeping the LS1 computer. My shpping list for keeping the computer includes:
Katech Cam sensor and knock sensor harness
Lingenfelter's Reluctor Wheel conversion box (whenever it gets released)
And I'm looking into Pantera EFI's DBW to cable throttle body conversion package, so I can reuse the L92 TB (if its cheaper than out right purchase of a new TB).
I'll also be using the L92 / LS3 intake and fuel rails.
The engine hasn't arrived yet, so I'll figure out what else needs to be replaced or swapped when it gets here. I don't want to keep the VVT (and or DOD if it even has it) so keeping the LS1 PCM makes sense for me.
At this point, I'm keeping the LS1 computer. My shpping list for keeping the computer includes:
Katech Cam sensor and knock sensor harness
Lingenfelter's Reluctor Wheel conversion box (whenever it gets released)
And I'm looking into Pantera EFI's DBW to cable throttle body conversion package, so I can reuse the L92 TB (if its cheaper than out right purchase of a new TB).
I'll also be using the L92 / LS3 intake and fuel rails.
The engine hasn't arrived yet, so I'll figure out what else needs to be replaced or swapped when it gets here. I don't want to keep the VVT (and or DOD if it even has it) so keeping the LS1 PCM makes sense for me.
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01badz28,
You might want to look into keeping the VVT. The L92 doesn't have displacement on demand but with a cam swap and the VVT and a tune you can get 530hp at the flywheel. Check out Mast Motorsports. I am using their computer, harness, tune, and cam on my L92 motor thats going in my Nissan 240SX. It really doesn't come out that much more when you have to do all the other stuff too.
Tim
You might want to look into keeping the VVT. The L92 doesn't have displacement on demand but with a cam swap and the VVT and a tune you can get 530hp at the flywheel. Check out Mast Motorsports. I am using their computer, harness, tune, and cam on my L92 motor thats going in my Nissan 240SX. It really doesn't come out that much more when you have to do all the other stuff too.
Tim
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Verdad Gallardo 01badz28,
You might want to look into keeping the VVT. The L92 doesn't have displacement on demand but with a cam swap and the VVT and a tune you can get 530hp at the flywheel. Check out Mast Motorsports. I am using their computer, harness, tune, and cam on my L92 motor thats going in my Nissan 240SX. It really doesn't come out that much more when you have to do all the other stuff too.
Tim
You might want to look into keeping the VVT. The L92 doesn't have displacement on demand but with a cam swap and the VVT and a tune you can get 530hp at the flywheel. Check out Mast Motorsports. I am using their computer, harness, tune, and cam on my L92 motor thats going in my Nissan 240SX. It really doesn't come out that much more when you have to do all the other stuff too.
Tim
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Decatur, IN
Lingenfelter reluctor wheel conversion box Regarding the Lingenfelter 58x reluctor wheel conversion box, we shipped out about 5 or 6 of the final prototypes using the new case and board in the last week or so. We should be shipping production units the week after Thanksgiving.
I'm in the process of doing nearly the same thing with my '01 with an L92 engine.
At this point, I'm keeping the LS1 computer. My shpping list for keeping the computer includes:
Katech Cam sensor and knock sensor harness
Lingenfelter's Reluctor Wheel conversion box (whenever it gets released)
And I'm looking into Pantera EFI's DBW to cable throttle body conversion package, so I can reuse the L92 TB (if its cheaper than out right purchase of a new TB).
I'll also be using the L92 / LS3 intake and fuel rails.
The engine hasn't arrived yet, so I'll figure out what else needs to be replaced or swapped when it gets here. I don't want to keep the VVT (and or DOD if it even has it) so keeping the LS1 PCM makes sense for me.
At this point, I'm keeping the LS1 computer. My shpping list for keeping the computer includes:
Katech Cam sensor and knock sensor harness
Lingenfelter's Reluctor Wheel conversion box (whenever it gets released)
And I'm looking into Pantera EFI's DBW to cable throttle body conversion package, so I can reuse the L92 TB (if its cheaper than out right purchase of a new TB).
I'll also be using the L92 / LS3 intake and fuel rails.
The engine hasn't arrived yet, so I'll figure out what else needs to be replaced or swapped when it gets here. I don't want to keep the VVT (and or DOD if it even has it) so keeping the LS1 PCM makes sense for me.
Can we expect some super awesome group purchase price for the 1st batch!
I've been waiting for this project. I'm sure I am far from alone!
FormerVendor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Nacogdoches, TX
anyone else care to shed light on it or that have used it?
