FUN, QUICK and EASY LS engine conversion
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Beebe, Arkansas
Pretty much bolt in!
http://www.hotrodlane.cc/PDFFILES/Lisa%20Tahoe.pdf
I thought about taking a 1996-1998 truck regular cab and doing a AWD swap with a SS transfercase and a 6.0l/L92 heads it would be quick and easy!
http://www.hotrodlane.cc/PDFFILES/Lisa%20Tahoe.pdf
I thought about taking a 1996-1998 truck regular cab and doing a AWD swap with a SS transfercase and a 6.0l/L92 heads it would be quick and easy!
Teching In
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From: Karlskoga, Sweden
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: CHICAGO IL.
Well thanks to everyone for the feedback on conversion choices.I'm going to rule out 1st gen F body ,IMO especially V8 cars, SS, RS, and Z28s should be restored to original condition period.I would only consider converting a 6 cylinder car.3rd gen cars do not appeal to me ,maybe 2nd gen thats possible.68-72 X body cars are getting difficult to find at a reasonable price, but a possible choice.As far as the G body, I guess he is referring to years 78-88 cutlass,they are maybe.The 280z,how much is the install kit,and what do you have to change?So far I think I like A-body idea the best for a car choice. Last month at a car show I saw a real nice 72 El Camino for sale 3500.
Last edited by kj598bbc; Oct 13, 2009 at 11:09 PM.
If you're looking for cheap and easy, forget about a thirdgen. An LS1 with stock manifolds might be an easy-ish swap, but if you're trying to do this cheap forget it. An LQ4 or LQ9 is a lot cheaper than an LS1, but then you need to buy all the f-body accessories, LS1 intake manifold, deal with wiring, and then there's always the transmission issue. Exhaust is a bitch too.
A 2nd gen camaro seems like it would be a lot easier and cheaper. Less wiring, less headaches with exhaust/headers, cheaper exhaust & headers, etc. Something that leaves room for the truck intake & accessories would make things cheaper, so the S10 suggestion may not be a bad one at all.
A 2nd gen camaro seems like it would be a lot easier and cheaper. Less wiring, less headaches with exhaust/headers, cheaper exhaust & headers, etc. Something that leaves room for the truck intake & accessories would make things cheaper, so the S10 suggestion may not be a bad one at all.
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: CHICAGO IL.
Last edited by kj598bbc; Oct 13, 2009 at 11:09 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,539
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From: columbus,ohio
Thanks Bo185 great link to hotrodlane,that takes all the guess work out on a 95 and later Full size truck or SUV.That has to be at the top of the list, as far as FUN QUICK and EASY.And I also like the idea of AWD,what donor vehicle is the transfer case coming from?Still want more car choices !
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 26
From: columbus,ohio
Well the first descending opinion on a 3rd gen comes from Jim85IROC,and this one has been suggested several times.3rd gen f body does not really appeal to me. But if cant be done with truck intake and accessories then its not going to make it on my list to be considered..
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 26
From: columbus,ohio
I have been thinking about doing LS engine swap for sometime.I want to use a truck engine ,with a truck intake and accessories.What I would like to know is what vehicles are the easiest and cheapest to convert.I'm not concerned about hood clearance, as I do not mind adapting a hood to make it work,but I want to stay away from, projects that require major altering engine compartment or frame notching, and such,I will be doing this on a budget so CHEAP fun quick and easy is what I am looking for.Probably at the top of the list is going to be older GM trucks I would guess. Like 68 to 72 or 88 and later. but want cars would be good candidates?So give me some choices to chose from.
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Thanks Bo185 great link to hotrodlane,that takes all the guess work out on a 95 and later Full size truck or SUV.That has to be at the top of the list, as far as FUN QUICK and EASY.And I also like the idea of AWD,what donor vehicle is the transfer case coming from?Still want more car choices !
The most expensive things I had to purchase beyond the engine itself were in reverse order: fuel pump (200), computer tune to kill VATS, 2nd O2's, EGR, etc. ($150), trans fill tube ($90) and the adapter and proper bolts from GM ($80). Everything else was grunt work or came with the take out engine. Take a look at something like this for a perfect example of a dead on simple swap.
Don't get me wrong, there are other conversions going where you have to make mounts, brackets, etc., etc. (I have one) but for absolute bang for the buck a full size truck or a car that used to have a carb or TBI can't be beat! Lots of room under the hood, simple wiring, few gauges, just add a fuel pump and plug in the engine! Most GM combos have mounts available if you don't have fab skills and you can just take the engine and accessories as is.
S10 hands down. www.currentperformance.com everything you need. Hell buy my truck and swap one in it...
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 26
From: columbus,ohio
Yes Chevy Caprice Classic basic police issue,mine are 95 and 96 models with LT-1 factory rated 260 hp I believe.If I was going to do one these cars ,I would probably try to find a nice 93 with a good body,93 still has open rear wheel well,which I prefer.94 and laters had LT-1s and if they are nice bring more money around here.93 and earlier areTBI rated around 200 hp or maybe your thinking of L-99 engine.
Last edited by omc8; Oct 10, 2009 at 07:57 AM.
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2006
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Chuck
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,685
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From: Beebe, Arkansas
Thanks Bo185 great link to hotrodlane,that takes all the guess work out on a 95 and later Full size truck or SUV.That has to be at the top of the list, as far as FUN QUICK and EASY.And I also like the idea of AWD,what donor vehicle is the transfer case coming from?Still want more car choices !
Lighten, and lower it and enjoy AWD!
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 26
From: columbus,ohio
I like your AWD idea never thought of doing it on a full size truck thou, so its easier to start with 4x4, the 4x2 would be to much work to change over,tell me why ?I have played around with idea of doing a 1st GEN S-10 AWD LS powered .Going to use a transfer case from a astro AWD or safari van ,I believe these will work if anyone has done this conversion let me know.I have heard of a syclone swap to LS-1, so thats basically what it would be.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 7
From: Beebe, Arkansas
I like your AWD idea never thought of doing it on a full size truck thou, so its easier to start with 4x4, the 4x2 would be to much work to change over,tell me why ?I have played around with idea of doing a 1st GEN S-10 AWD LS powered .Going to use a transfer case from a astro AWD or safari van ,I believe these will work if anyone has done this conversion let me know.I have heard of a syclone swap to LS-1, so that's basically what it would be.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 26
From: columbus,ohio
Well its interesting that when you do a part interchange for a Syclone you get Astro,Safari and Bravada transfer case.But if you do it for a Typhoon you get full size GM trucks and Jimmys.So that tells me they used the stronger full size transfer case in the Typhoon because it weighs more,I guess.I wonder if that venture 149 case would work someway in a S-10.I've never heard of a problems with the Syclone transfer case failing,but maybe some Sy/Ty guys that race could let us know!