I have $5000 to play with for a swap.

The LS1 is looking good if I find a smashed LS1 car in my area... which is really hard to come by.Is there any other suggestions/options out there for V8 power and sound? The car in question is my 3.8 series II 1995 Camaro.
I brought this other issue up on a different forum... sounded to me like everyone was guessing at what to do. My car is OBD1.5, meaning it's not OBD1 or OBD2. It has the connector for a OBD2 vehicle... does any of this matter? Would the PCM from the swapped motor control all the accessories for my car? (lights, power, wiper) or would I have to somehow bridge two PCMs together? Would there be an issue if everything in my car is meant for OBD1.5?
Does anyone have any links or suggestions on books I could read that really goes in depth with a motor swap?
I seen an episode of horsepower TV where they pulled the motor and transmission out of the car by taking everything from the front wheels/tires down at once (if that makes sense?) If that's the case, wouldn't it be easiest to drop mine the same way then connect the LS1 pullout and accessories?
Willing to learn as much as I can, thanks
Swap is taking place come late Spring, early summer if I stay with it. 402 STROKER IN 1995 Z28
2. buy ls1 car
problem solved

if youve never swapped in and have little knowledge of what it takes, it will become a tall order.
research as much as possible, standalone harness for the engine will be your best bet. along with autometer gages. go with stuff that is more plug and play oriented.
Uhhh... Well, if it "has the connector for a OBD2 vehicle", then it will be OBD-II. There is no OBD-1.5 (or if there IS, it's a VERY well-kept secret!) 
2. buy ls1 car
problem solved

if you've never swapped in and have little knowledge of what it takes, it will become a tall order.
research as much as possible, standalone harness for the engine will be your best bet. along with autometer gages. go with stuff that is more plug and play oriented.
(sorry NemeSS) Honestly, that's going to be your best bet - if you're looking at time, money, effort, etc. that is. If the car you have now is somehow REALLY sentimental to you, then it may be worth it TO YOU to spend the money/time/effort to do the swap, but believe us when we say that there will almost certainly be times that your "project" feels more like something that a judge sentenced you to do...TRUST ME on this one...
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Uhhh... Well, if it "has the connector for a OBD2 vehicle", then it will be OBD-II. There is no OBD-1.5 (or if there IS, it's a VERY well-kept secret!) 
(sorry NemeSS) Honestly, that's going to be your best bet - if you're looking at time, money, effort, etc. that is. If the car you have now is somehow REALLY sentimental to you, then it may be worth it TO YOU to spend the money/time/effort to do the swap, but believe us when we say that there will almost certainly be times that your "project" feels more like something that a judge sentenced you to do...TRUST ME on this one...

I've been through a lot with this car, you have no idea how great it'd make me feel to have the power this car SHOULD have had, and the beautiful sound of a V8. Something that's impossible to imitate with a V6. I might settle for an LT1 though.... an LS1 would be more unique.
Am I replacing the PCM or am I bridging them?
Can I drop my engine at the front wheels and just pull the LS1 goods in from underneath? I know I need to switch to the corvette fuel rails. That's okay.
Any links or books that go REALLY in depth with the swap?
402 STROKER IN 1995 Z28
Most people drop the Engine out from underneath with a Lift, however some have done it off the ground by jacking up the Body.
My Swap Link I posted has alot of good information in it.
Last edited by the_merv; Nov 18, 2008 at 01:03 AM.
You will need an LS1 PCM with an LS1 Engine. Basically if you are going to an LS1 or any LS Engine, everything you will be needing will be LS stuff, there is nothing that is directly interchangeable, except a 4L80E/TH350/TH400 with the correct Flexplate(may need a Spacer) & Stall.
Most people drop the Engine out from underneath with a Lift, however some have done it off the ground by jacking up the Body.
My Swap Link I posted has alot of good information in it.

Yes it did read it, thanks for posting that up
I built the Harness before I assembled the Engine. The Harness is the most important with this. There isn't any sense in building a $6000 Engine when you won't be able to use it if you can't get the Wiring straight.
LM7 Swap....
I tried searching and came up with nothing. One thread about someone swapping an LM7 into an IROC... About as far as I got!
The LS1 in my area isn't common at all, very hard to find a smashed LS1 car and the smashed LS1 cars go for at least a good $7-8k or so. I live in the east coast of Canada. A smashed Silverado is much easier to find than a smashed Camaro! Which is why I turn to the 5.3!
A few people on a local forum said the LM7 has interchangeable parts with the LS1. So I could just get an LS6 intake manifold or F.A.S.T or a stock manifold and get an fbody oil pan... and voila, LS1 equivalent!
What parts to use is the big question.... fbody ls1 kmember? LM7 PCM? LS1 mounts? I'd imagine a custom wiring harness would be needed... Corvette fuel rails as well. Might as well get headers while it's all out, LS1 long tubes?
I have $5000 to play with, want to get all the parts for it under 3 grand. Any info would be appreciated greatly!
I find good stuff on Craigslist as well. Some of my better finds have been on aimless drives in the country.










