What was your first LSx swap?
What was your first LSx swap? I've been checking out this part of the forum for a while but haven't posted till now. It shocks me how many swaps you guys do and how skillfully you pull it off. I'm looking to get into a swap but have NO experiance with swaps and not sure what I want yet, just something a hellova lot lighter than a 4th gen. I'd like to know what some of your first swaps were. How'd it turn out? If you had to do it over again would you tackle something easier or more challenging?
1995 LT1 Camaro -> 408 LQ4/T56, Frame bent so swapped into a new car..
1998 3.8l Camaro -> 408 LQ4/T56, wrecked
1984 Monte Carlo SS -> 408 LQ4/T56, current.
The F-bodies were easy to wire, but after working with this Monte Carlo SS..I'll never own an F-body again..
1998 3.8l Camaro -> 408 LQ4/T56, wrecked
1984 Monte Carlo SS -> 408 LQ4/T56, current.
The F-bodies were easy to wire, but after working with this Monte Carlo SS..I'll never own an F-body again..
First and only one so far is the current one in my sig. Loved the build part of the project. Almost sad it's going to be done soon. But I'm very happy so far with the car and how it turned out..
Tails
Tails
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: North Central Ohio
92 Firebird
305/4L60 to 5.3/4L60E over the course of 5 days
It was my first swap too. Follow several in depth swaps in the car you're looking to swap and do your research, lots of it. Have all your ducks lined up before beginning or be like most with a +2 year project
305/4L60 to 5.3/4L60E over the course of 5 days
It was my first swap too. Follow several in depth swaps in the car you're looking to swap and do your research, lots of it. Have all your ducks lined up before beginning or be like most with a +2 year project
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On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Texas
My 1965 Chevy C10 SWB, 4.8/4l60e. I would jump man, I am a computer tech and I did it, start to finish without much help other than hold this and get that type of help. It wasnt easy but it was SOOOO worth it, much better than a GEN 1 rebuild.
yea, yea, yea, I hear yall, why put the 4.8 in when there is a 6.0 LQ4 or 9 out there. My swap was totally budget and I got the engine, trans, harness, pcm and all accessories for under $1K. I am not a speed person anyway, this was/is my DD for the most part and it is a blast to drive AND I get 20MPG on the highway.
I just ordered a Nelson tune the other day, cant wait.
yea, yea, yea, I hear yall, why put the 4.8 in when there is a 6.0 LQ4 or 9 out there. My swap was totally budget and I got the engine, trans, harness, pcm and all accessories for under $1K. I am not a speed person anyway, this was/is my DD for the most part and it is a blast to drive AND I get 20MPG on the highway.
I just ordered a Nelson tune the other day, cant wait.
All these sound like some nice builds! 
At first I was wanting to do a thirdgen swap, then I got into the off road game and wanted to do a Jeep, now I'm looking more into going fast and thinking about an RX-7.
@Clyde65, I'm a systems tech and pretty much in charge of server maintenance and computer support. Sad to say, but pretty much everything I know about cars I've learned from the internet. I don't know anyone around here who knows how to work on cars, and I haven't been able to find anyone willing to show me in person so it's all self taught. Headers, EGR removal, spring/shock swap, poly motor mounts, tuning, UDP, swap bars, LCA, intake manifold, maintenance, etc all done myself with no helpers and info from LS1tech and LS1howto. Sucks sometimes learning this way but I get a huge sense of pride knowing I'm making my car better by using just my own two hands, the gray matter between my ears, and an ethernet connection.
The main thing that would probably hold me back on a swap would be welding. I don't have a welder and that kind of thing seems to require a little more than a DIY skillset. Right now I'm leaning toward really small light cars that handle well since I've been driving 3500lb+ boats my whole life. Something about a little S14, Miata, RX-7, or something similar with a LS1 just gets my heart racing
At first I was wanting to do a thirdgen swap, then I got into the off road game and wanted to do a Jeep, now I'm looking more into going fast and thinking about an RX-7.
@Clyde65, I'm a systems tech and pretty much in charge of server maintenance and computer support. Sad to say, but pretty much everything I know about cars I've learned from the internet. I don't know anyone around here who knows how to work on cars, and I haven't been able to find anyone willing to show me in person so it's all self taught. Headers, EGR removal, spring/shock swap, poly motor mounts, tuning, UDP, swap bars, LCA, intake manifold, maintenance, etc all done myself with no helpers and info from LS1tech and LS1howto. Sucks sometimes learning this way but I get a huge sense of pride knowing I'm making my car better by using just my own two hands, the gray matter between my ears, and an ethernet connection.
The main thing that would probably hold me back on a swap would be welding. I don't have a welder and that kind of thing seems to require a little more than a DIY skillset. Right now I'm leaning toward really small light cars that handle well since I've been driving 3500lb+ boats my whole life. Something about a little S14, Miata, RX-7, or something similar with a LS1 just gets my heart racing
1982 camaro. With self built 6.0 lq4 375ci with self ported 243s. Self made 1 7/8 headers. 3in exhaust. Self built accesory brackets using sbc alt. S10 manual steering box.
Lq4 plate with spacer
Th350 with upgraded internals
3800 10in tq converter
Edelbrock victor jr with edelbrock box
Holley pro series 750 Hp carb.
Lq4 plate with spacer
Th350 with upgraded internals
3800 10in tq converter
Edelbrock victor jr with edelbrock box
Holley pro series 750 Hp carb.
1986 elcamino choo choo custom ls1, 4l60e, did all myself except for the exhaust . Read alot on here and asked questions before i started also bought everything i needed for the swap before i started it. I do not drive it enough but am going to this summer. Working on my 56 chevy with ls1 and t56
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,148
Likes: 12
From: Downers Grove, IL
1985 El Camino SS. that was actually my first engine swap.
I have also helped on a 78 trans am and my brothers 78 buick electra 225. The electra would have been easiest except that there is no bolt in oil pan available from GM, only expensive aftermarket ones.
I have also helped on a 78 trans am and my brothers 78 buick electra 225. The electra would have been easiest except that there is no bolt in oil pan available from GM, only expensive aftermarket ones.
