G-Body Swap
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Teching In
Joined: May 2010
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G-Body Swap Hello all. I'm finally going to bite the bullet and swap a 5.3 engine in my 85 Monte Carlo SS. I want to run A/C and power steering. I know I need to swap intake but which accessory drives do I need F-Body or corvette?? Also I am trying to keep the cost as minimal as possible. Has anyone used factory exhaust manifolds?? If so which car do they come from?? Thanks there are more questions to follow.
Last edited by sslover85; Jun 14, 2010 at 12:53 PM. Reason: title misspelled
I have a stock intake/inj/fuel rails... I prefer the car brackets for looks, but you can mod the truck stuff to work, search malibu, cutlass, regal on there and you can find everything plus some...
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2008
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G-Body Swap Parts My G-body swap was LS engine into 85 Monte using Corvette accessory drive w/ a/c, Cadillac CTS-V oil pan, and Gen 4 Camaro exhaust manifolds. Frame notching was required to clear the oil pan and also fittings on the AC compressor.
Other helpful G-body (some 5.3) links below:
Probably John Bzdels Monte swaps are among the best documented:
http://www.ls7montess.com/
The car is currently LS7 powered, but in the middle of the page, click the "here" link to the original LS1 swap:
http://www.montecarloss.com/ls1montecarloss/
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...-owners-2.html
http://https://ls1tech.com/forums/co...-radiator.html
http://https://ls1tech.com/forums/co...swap-pics.html
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&a...i=&safe=images (Courtesy of V8Rumble)
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=ls1+malibu+swap (Courtesy of BLWN1)
Other helpful G-body (some 5.3) links below:
Probably John Bzdels Monte swaps are among the best documented:
http://www.ls7montess.com/
The car is currently LS7 powered, but in the middle of the page, click the "here" link to the original LS1 swap:
http://www.montecarloss.com/ls1montecarloss/
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...-owners-2.html
http://https://ls1tech.com/forums/co...-radiator.html
http://https://ls1tech.com/forums/co...swap-pics.html
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&a...i=&safe=images (Courtesy of V8Rumble)
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=ls1+malibu+swap (Courtesy of BLWN1)
This is simpler and inexpensive. Also, the CTS-V pan, pickup. windage tray, dipstick and dipstick tube.
Basically comes down to the trade-offs your willing to accept,
Do you want the engine as far rear to stock as possible to maintain close to stock weight ratio aspects? But not too far regarding interference with AC/blower shroud?..... And far back enough to stock as to not have to customize the trans cross member or drill holes? But are you also willing to accept the costs of accessories and brackets to put the AC compressor high as it will interfere with the frame if the motor is placed to the rear and the AC compressor is positioned low?
For me, paying the extra money for accessories and brackets to place the compressor high was worth putting the motor as close to stock as possible to retain close to stock weight ratio, stock location for cross member, and not having to notch the frame.
Not saying what I did was right or what was done above was wrong….just laying out the rationale.
Matt
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Verdad Gallardo Alternator had issues as well with the long pulley..
But I knew that going in..
Same as HILROD, except I used a power steering pulley from a GM 3.1 V6, found in almost every FWD car, just had to push it further onto the shaft to get it to line up properly.
Here's some pics of my 87 ls...sorry in advance for being so large and the ac line sort of in the way. Used the brp mounts that bolt into the stock mount positions, all f-body stuff, and the lh8 pan from gm dealer. The compressor isn't on in the picture but it does fit.
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: ELGIN IL
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2010
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Thanks for all the replies. Sorry for the spelling of the thread too. I cant figure out how to edit it just yet. This is what I'm picturing in my head. An LS1 without the carb, a corvette or camaro intake. and the A/C compressor on the top of the engine not the bottom. I want everything to look like it came in my car from the factory. Oh I love pics by the way.
G Body swap I just saw Holley's swap into a 1985(?) El Camino on Power Tour. They are goign to offer a kit including mounting plates and an AC comprssor bracket. It will use the original GM round type from the 80's very nice.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2010
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Ok it's been almost a year since I posted and during that time I have been researching and pricing engines. I am looking for the best( cheapest) motor mounts. I would love to have a set from John but he no longer makes them. I'm just ready to start collecting parts but wanna make sure I get the right stuff. Seems like this should be easy since sooo many peopple has done this swap. I dont wanna go with BRP too expensive. Can spend that money toward something else. So for mounts is it Transdapt, Spohn, or the ebay ones??? Thanks
with some very minor mods, you can just bolt on a mid 80s to late 90s V6 AC bracket to the passenger side head.
this replaces the tensioner, and lets you bolt in your stock AC compressor in almost the stock location.. (assuming your year monte has the AC on the passenger side.. if not, its not a hard swap, just use hoses for a passenger side AC system)
