Need Feedback For Ls1 Swap!!
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Valencia, CA
Need Feedback For Ls1 Swap!! Alright here we go... I have a 1998 Pontiac Midnight Blue Firebird and i have done lots of appearance mods... and my car looks pretty damm good. But Im lacking one thing..POWER. I currently have the V6 3800 series engine in my car and I want to do a LS1 swap. I NEED FEEDBACK, THE MORE THE BETTER. What prts do i NEED to do the swap, and how much do they cost. What worked for you guys? What do you reccomend and what do you not?? THANKS A LOT
PLEASE HELP MY DREAM BECOME A REALITY...
PLEASE HELP MY DREAM BECOME A REALITY...
Wow, you know it would be cheaper just to sell your Firebird and pick up a used LS1 f-body, right? I've seen '98 F-bodies selling for $6500-9000 all over the place, which would probably be the amount you spend to swap everything over.
But, here are the items I can think of:
-Transmission (manual or auto?)
-Converter (if auto)
-bellhousing
-clutch (if manual)
-shifter (if manual)
-driveshaft
-complete LS1 engine
-belt pulleys/idlers
-LS1 computer
-LS1 wiring harness
-Full exhaust system
-alternator
-power steering pump
-A/C compressor bracket
-airbox lid
-LS1 maf
-engine mounts
-LS1 gauge cluster (higher rpm redline)
Its a lot of work and money involved. If you could buy a wrecked V8 f-body for $3000-3500 and have all the parts to do the swap, that would be your best bet.
Tony
But, here are the items I can think of:
-Transmission (manual or auto?)
-Converter (if auto)
-bellhousing
-clutch (if manual)
-shifter (if manual)
-driveshaft
-complete LS1 engine
-belt pulleys/idlers
-LS1 computer
-LS1 wiring harness
-Full exhaust system
-alternator
-power steering pump
-A/C compressor bracket
-airbox lid
-LS1 maf
-engine mounts
-LS1 gauge cluster (higher rpm redline)
Its a lot of work and money involved. If you could buy a wrecked V8 f-body for $3000-3500 and have all the parts to do the swap, that would be your best bet.
Tony
If you want a great website for a detailed swap from a v6 firebird to an LS1 go here:
http://www.dxsoftware.com/magnus/
awesome information for the swap. since yours is a 98 (LS1 year model) you might not need quite as many parts as he did. Good Luck!
http://www.dxsoftware.com/magnus/
awesome information for the swap. since yours is a 98 (LS1 year model) you might not need quite as many parts as he did. Good Luck!
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: VA
After you its done, you relize it wasnt that hard. Just alot of work to be done. I swapped my 98 to a 01 ls1/t56. It wasnt cheaper for me to buy a z28 or ss because of the insurance increase. In the past 3 years i have saved over $7000 just in insurance and still will save on insurance since they think its still a v6. I bought a complete package(01motor/trans, accessories, wiring harnesses, and fueling) for $4500 shipped. Then spent another $500 on parts that were broke or missing. If you buy a 98 the swap will go alot easier because of wiring. If you buy a different year you will have to switch the console harness. The trans am harness is alittle different than the ss harness, nothing major but make sure you pull your harness out then lay them side by side to compare and change them. I used an 01 trans am console harness in my 98 camaro. When changing wiring harness (if needed) dont forget to use you bcm or the car will not start.
Look on ebay and find some complete packages for sale. Some good sellers are:
AllMustangPerformance-Mustang place but have ls1 packages and Tom will work with you.
Edmerson-fast
fparts-fast and accurate.
After you buy a package let use know what you have and we will tell you what you need. Try and get the motor on the cradle with rack, v6 cradle will not work nor the sterring rack.
Look on ebay and find some complete packages for sale. Some good sellers are:
AllMustangPerformance-Mustang place but have ls1 packages and Tom will work with you.
Edmerson-fast
fparts-fast and accurate.
After you buy a package let use know what you have and we will tell you what you need. Try and get the motor on the cradle with rack, v6 cradle will not work nor the sterring rack.
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Valencia, CA
Yeah i have a 5 speed right now, and im plannin on keeping a stick . And Onehardmaro thanks a lot thats what i want to hear... Sounds sick...Yeah and one MAIN reason to do a swap is to keep insurance costs...lol why would i buy a new car... also i have allready modified my car like crazy..I will save so much $ in insurance costs...
Hey what do you mean by...."Try and get the motor on the cradle with rack, v6 cradle will not work nor the sterring rack"....
Thanks.....
Hey what do you mean by...."Try and get the motor on the cradle with rack, v6 cradle will not work nor the sterring rack"....
Thanks.....
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 634
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From: VA
Just saw this on ebay. Thought you might be interested.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2454675891
The cradle is the black thing the motor is sitting on. The rack is the thing with the plastic boots. The ls1 will not bolt up to a v6 cradle and the v6 rack will not clear the ls1 oil pan. Once the ls1 motor is on the ls1 cradle with rack it will bolt right up.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2454675891
The cradle is the black thing the motor is sitting on. The rack is the thing with the plastic boots. The ls1 will not bolt up to a v6 cradle and the v6 rack will not clear the ls1 oil pan. Once the ls1 motor is on the ls1 cradle with rack it will bolt right up.
This is really a pretty simple swap if you have all of the parts. I converted a 99 v6 camaro to an LS1. My swap was really easy because I had the complete Donor car. I would recommend getting a 98 LS1 engine. Some other things you will need are the K-member with steering rack, radiator, fuel pump, under hood wiring harness, trans crossmember, these are the major items you will need. The swap would probably cost $4500 to $5000.
If you want to do this swap let me know. I part out f-bodies and usually have LS1 engines in stock. The only 98 LS1 I have right now is mated to an automatic. I do have a couple of 2002 LS1's with six speeds available.
If you want to do this swap let me know. I part out f-bodies and usually have LS1 engines in stock. The only 98 LS1 I have right now is mated to an automatic. I do have a couple of 2002 LS1's with six speeds available.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Valencia, CA
thats a good pic... i was wondering do i have to take out the entire front end like the picture is shown... which is the easiest way to do a firebirds wap? I was just thinking of comming in from the top... but maybe comming from the bott. is easier.. guys???..
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Verdad Gallardo TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: VA
Diffently the bottom. This way everything goes in and out complete, motor and trans connected with all accessories. No matter what you have to take the cradle out. It will never come out the top with the motor connected. Thats why i say get a motor already on the cradle. Its alot easier to handle and all you need to do is lift the motor into place put in the six bolts for the cradle and the four for the crossmember(trans) and your motor and trans is in. You can do this by putting the rear on ramps and set the front on 6x6's on floor jacks all the way up. Remeber safety first. Make sure you have plenty of floor and hand jacks to secure motor and car because you and your friends will be under it alot.
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 369
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From: Valencia, CA
ahh ok nice i see.... I have one more question.... my car is lowered right now, and i hear that when you do a swap you need to put new springs in the car b/c of the added weight of the V8... do i need to buy ANOTHER set of springs..???
