Hey Guys,

I was browsing the archives looking for ideas on my swap and the only threads I am turning up are people who are "thinking" about dropping a LS1 or 5.3 in thier 2nd Generation F-Body.

I'm getting ready to drop a 5.3 in my 76 Camaro in a few weeks and getting antsy and excited.

If you have completed this swap could you post pics and care to share information on your experiences or pitfalls? Any Year Camaro or Firebird from 70-81.

I want to use this thread to ask questions I have along the way that could potentially help others.

Plus some cool engine bay pics would be good motivation

 

A couple guys in this thread have done it. Check out posts 6, 8, and 12.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...m-ls-swap.html

 

Thanks!

I do have a question for someone that can answer, I bought a corvette LS1 "batwing" oil pan off eBay with all the parts needed to swap for $150.

Any known issues with clearances on a stock 2nd gen camaro?

 

I cant imagine you will have clearance issues with the batwing, however header options may be limited when you go that route, all in all the f-body pan gives you the most options for exhaust, I also have been researching this as I plan to do a second gen, simple 5.3 little cam, 4l60e swap very soon.

 

I installed a stock F body LS1 in my 73 Camaro. The only clearance issue I had was with the stock AC compressor as it's mounted down low on the right side and hit the subframe. I removed the compressor and plan on using a Sanden compressor with a relocation bracket from Kwik Performance. If you search my posts, there is a pic of the engine compartment.

Header options are limited right now. I've heard that Pacesetter headers will work if you modify (bend) the left header at the collector. I was recently contacted by a major header manufacturer who may want to use my car to develop a complete LS1/2nd gen exhaust including headers. If it works out, I'll post about it.

If you have specific questions, I'm happy to share all the info I can about the engine swap.

 

Never heard of anyone using the batwing pan in a second gen. I would just get a f-body pan. I am using modded pacesetter headers. Mine fit great. What kind of info are you looking for? I wouldnt call my car done, but I've been driving it for two years.

 

Thanks, I already bought the corvette pan so I'm going to try and use that. I've planned on using the stock exhaust manifolds that came on the engine.

I guess I'm looking for pics of installed engines for inspiration, plus these questions

1. Did the 4L60e tranny slide in with no modifications to the firewall / tunnel?

2. What did you do for the overdrive on the shifter? Did you buy the conversion kit?

3. Where did you mount the PCM?

4. Did you retain factory AC, what method did you use? Aftermarket brackets, notch the crossmember, and so forth.

5. If you kept AC did you use the stock Ls1 or 5.3 Compressor?

6. What driveshaft did you use? modified stock or custom?

7. What did you do about the speedometer? Stock guage w/ adapter or aftermarket guage?

I may have more as I go

 

I'm running a T56 and no AC at the moment. But to answer a couple of the questions:

The driveshaft was modified and rebalanced by a local shop.

Speartech built a custom harness and I mounted the PCM under the dash in front of the console.

I'm using Autometer Ultralite guages in a Covan's guage panel.

 

I put an LS6 in my 74 Camaro. Mated it to a 700r4 and 3:42 gears. It stopped well with giant C6 Z06 brakes all around.















I don't think the batwing's gonna work unless you have the motor real high to clear the k member. Wish I could've kept it , pretty easy I think I used a stock Camaro pan without any cutting...just as is. On the next one (a 67 RS) I did need the pan notched , but I beleive most have to on a 1st gen. Good luck.

 

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=150215

batwing

 

NX74LS6, that is a fine piece of rolling art! Well done!

 

I did a 5.3/T10 swap into my 78 Z28 - original 350/T10. I used a 2002 LM7 truck 5.3 with stock harness. The truck exhaust manifolds did not work, nor did the oil pan or alternator / AC compressor location. The truck intake only clears because I set the engine back almost 2" and cut a hole in the hood under the scoop for clearance.

I cut the oil pan and sump to fit (needed shortened), made the alternator/ps bracket, skipped AC (car was non-ac anyway), used a McLeod flywheel, stock bellhouseing and 4 speed. Setting the engine back enabled me to keep trans cross memeber and driveshaft. I found exhaust manifolds on e-bay and still had to notch the frame - headers were way out of my budget range.

As for fuel, I made a sump and used a Walbro inline fuel pump with a return line and have had no problems at all.

Because of all this, I highly recommend getting the Camaro LS1 as it will be easier and probably cheaper in the long run. I believe the oil pan fits, intake fits, alt bracket fits (i am sure ac does not). Not sure about power steering pump. Also, Edlebrock now makes a header/exhaust swap kit for around $900. I wish I could have went that route to begin with. I have many hours in frame and exhaust cuts/welds.....but now that I moved the engine back, I am not sure new headers will still fit!

In the end, the swap was some work but worth it. Extremely reliable, ~16mpg, and runs great. I drive it almost daily in the summer. I may do a cam swap in the future just to see what it can do.

 

Thanks, It was my 1st attempt...I learned a lot...boy was it fun to drive. Brutally fast, stopped great, even handled well and got over 25 mpg on the highway... all that aluminum up front ...no more nose heavy 2nd gen in the turns. I just couldn't afford to keep it.... but I do miss it. I got so lucky on the 74 ($2500 for the LS6, brakes - free).

The 67 RS will a bigger budget version LS1, C6 Z51 brakes, 4L60E, Vintage Air, I'm building it for someone ...wish it was mine to keep. I remember putting the photos of the 74 here ( a couple of yrs ago)and being terrified that everyone was gonna hate it...guess I was too close to it. Thanks again.

 

Nice work. Where did the console shifter insert with OD, D, L2, L1 come from? It looks factory. What mods did the shifter require to select the extra gear?



.

 

I think this is a good idea to compile all the second gen knowledge into one thread, there are obviously quite a few of us that are in the process or interested in 2nd gen lsx swaps. In addition to the questions posed above I'll add another.

What cross member did you use for the transmission? I read in one of the threads that you can just flip the cross member and a 4l60e will bolt right in, is this correct? I also found this transdapt part on ebay, it says that you don't need to use a different crossmember

 

This is your typical transmission mount,



It looks like the transdapt part would work, the only thing I don't like is the fact it's solid steel....I like having the rubber cushion.



What I was going to do based on what I read is move the stock brace back by using the old back holes as the new "front" holes and re-drill new back holes. Then use the stock transmission mount.

 

To everyone, thanks for taking the time to post links and pics. I hope this thread becomes a good source of ideas. As I do mine I will post pics, I'm going to pull the front cap so I can get to everything and clean it up while I'm at it.

 

Thanks, I got the whole kit from Bowtie Overdrives.. it comes with selector and detent plate, and hardware( drill out the old one - boom , no more 350 shifter) for all 4 fwrd gears for the 700r4/4l60e. You're right , it does look dead stock- that's why I chose it.

 

I am planning on swapping a LM7 in my 78 TA which pacesetter headers did you get?

 

I just bought an LS1/4L60E combo that I am swapping into my '77 Camaro, so I'd also love to see all this info compiled in one thread. I'll also post progress reports.

Check out NastyZ28.com for some excellent info on LS swaps into 2nd gens.