conversion reliability
Drove mine on a 2000 mile trip last summer and even had the confidence to make 9 passes down the drag strip while I was on the trip. Had one problem on the trip, a trans cooler rubber line came off the metal tubing. I was able to fix it and press on. Would have not reservations about taking off cross country with just the same routine maintenance I would do on any car. Had it on the road for 5 years and 15 k miles so far.
Pat
Pat
TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Ditto ^ I have 3 years and 15k on the olds. I have lost the trans rubber line twice but was able to limp to a gas station and put it back on and refill the trans. Only other issue I have had is a Alt went out on me once had to call a friend to come pick me up and go to a auto parts store to buy a new alt. I carry an extra belt and tools in the trunk. I would not hesitate to drive it across country and plan to do so. Only thing I plan to add to my backup supplys is an extra welbro 255 external pump sense it cannot be bought locally if it fails me on the road.
I have put 21,000 miles on my S10. Makes 500 to the tires and went 11.8@123. I have broke one rear end, and a 60e. I now have an 80e in it so no worries there. I do have to upgrade from the 7.5" rear though. I took it on a 2,500 mile road trip last year too, had one problem and that was the fuel pump connector. I fixed it on the side of the road though.
My LS1/4l60e equipped 80' Chevy Caprice has become my daily driver as of lately, and I've driven it from Chgo to Michigan twice with no worries or problems. The gen3 engines are so reliable and powerful in stock trim, and as long as you dont go overboard with performance mods you'll feel confident to drive it anywhere. All cars should have a small tool kit, jumper cables, an extra belt(wrapped in plastic), and a qrt or 2 of oil and trans fluid.
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Portland, Oregon
I've been daily driving my swap for about 8 months now, some ~8k miles, being mean to it at autox, the drags and everywhere in between and it hasn't skipped a beat from the first day I drove it.
I've never had as reliable of a swap vehicle as the ls1 has been. Spend the money and care in the right places and you'll be hard pressed to find a more reliable drivetrain.
I've never had as reliable of a swap vehicle as the ls1 has been. Spend the money and care in the right places and you'll be hard pressed to find a more reliable drivetrain.
I put a '99 LS1 into my '93 Mazda FD RX-7 and made 430rwhp+ with cam/heads setup. Commuted in it, raced it on the weekends, beat on it daily with no real issues aside from header gaskets blowing out on 3bolt style flanges. My engine only had 24K miles on it and I ran a new fuel pump, replacing the entire suspension, and the T56 was rebuilt with new clutch/flywheel before I ever drove it. Did 180mph in it one day early in the am on the way to work running late. I made it on time 
The car pulled 1.13g's on the skidpad in a Sport Compact Car Mag Ultimate Street Car Challenge in 2005 and was truly driven hard.
I think an engine conversion car is only as good as the one you start with. Half assed swaps will be reliable at times until little issues creep up. Well thought out ones and putting lots of time into your swap will return a more reliable car that is for sure.
The car pulled 1.13g's on the skidpad in a Sport Compact Car Mag Ultimate Street Car Challenge in 2005 and was truly driven hard.I think an engine conversion car is only as good as the one you start with. Half assed swaps will be reliable at times until little issues creep up. Well thought out ones and putting lots of time into your swap will return a more reliable car that is for sure.
Mine has been my daily driver since I finished it back in August of last year. Drove it through winter and now spring. It has performed as expected and held up well. I would not hesitate to take it across the country.
Sucks I hit a deer with it and the car doesnt look as good anymore but still drives fine
Sucks I hit a deer with it and the car doesnt look as good anymore but still drives fine
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Well I spoke to soon. Dad has been just driving the car for the last three weeks with zero issues. Last night taking mom to dinner got 300 yards down the street never over 2000 rpm and
We had not reved this over 6000 rpm. had not been over 4000 in weeks
Lunatti spring kit with 215-230 .600 cam stock L92 valves
Appears the vave broke at the keeper droped the valve. Then all heck broke loose.
So spent $1000 today on new ls3 heads, piston, rings, bearing, head gaskets, and a few other little things.
No one has ever seen a valve break like this. No evidence of any other issues with any other parts.
bad valve is the only thing we can come up with.
Tim
We had not reved this over 6000 rpm. had not been over 4000 in weeks
Lunatti spring kit with 215-230 .600 cam stock L92 valves
Appears the vave broke at the keeper droped the valve. Then all heck broke loose.
So spent $1000 today on new ls3 heads, piston, rings, bearing, head gaskets, and a few other little things.
No one has ever seen a valve break like this. No evidence of any other issues with any other parts.
bad valve is the only thing we can come up with.
Tim
OK, I ran into this old thread and felt compelled to comment.
Let's see...the waterpump went, then the replacement went. Then the heater box leaked. Then, the steering box went, and the replacement leaked. The pwr steer pump leaked, and the replacement leaked as well. The brake master is leaking and needs rebuilding. The brand new TKO leaked out the tailshaft, and the no-tolerance tailshaft bushing distorted..keeping me from re-inserting the driveshaft.
All of this was repaired, and I thought it was clear sailing...until, that big wet spot under the center section of the rear, on a brand new Moser 9in. Got that fixed and then, a puddle under the pass rear axle. Oh no, it's brake fluid..sprayed all over the brand new paint and wheel well! NO, it's NOT brake fluid, it's gear oil from a leaking axle seal (Happy it's not brake fluid)...Whew!
All of this with less than 1000 miles.
You'd think that at some point, one would run out of things to change.
Despite this, the car, so far, hasn't stranded me.
Tools may fix the car, but a cell phone is a must. At least you can call for help....then complain about the cost later! lol
Before every drive, I pray.."Dear ____ (name of your favorite diety), please keep me safe, and return me home without incident." So far, this has worked well. The only time it didn't work was when a garage mechanic decided to repair a cracked distributor cap by tie-wrapping it. The car died several miles from home, so I walked. This was before cell phones!
The End.
Let's see...the waterpump went, then the replacement went. Then the heater box leaked. Then, the steering box went, and the replacement leaked. The pwr steer pump leaked, and the replacement leaked as well. The brake master is leaking and needs rebuilding. The brand new TKO leaked out the tailshaft, and the no-tolerance tailshaft bushing distorted..keeping me from re-inserting the driveshaft.
All of this was repaired, and I thought it was clear sailing...until, that big wet spot under the center section of the rear, on a brand new Moser 9in. Got that fixed and then, a puddle under the pass rear axle. Oh no, it's brake fluid..sprayed all over the brand new paint and wheel well! NO, it's NOT brake fluid, it's gear oil from a leaking axle seal (Happy it's not brake fluid)...Whew!
All of this with less than 1000 miles.
You'd think that at some point, one would run out of things to change.
Despite this, the car, so far, hasn't stranded me.
Tools may fix the car, but a cell phone is a must. At least you can call for help....then complain about the cost later! lol
Before every drive, I pray.."Dear ____ (name of your favorite diety), please keep me safe, and return me home without incident." So far, this has worked well. The only time it didn't work was when a garage mechanic decided to repair a cracked distributor cap by tie-wrapping it. The car died several miles from home, so I walked. This was before cell phones!
The End.
TECH Regular
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 497
Likes: 4
Over 1000 miles here in Just under a month, i Drive it everyday back and fourth to work and some light street beatin. And once i fix my gear issue (Issue from before i bought the car) i will start bringing it to the track.
Couple issues i ran into but fixed.
Tac module gave up 60miles in.
Forgot to tighten hose coming out of the Corvette reg.
Forgot to tighten pwr steering hose at gear box.
Easily fixed.
Still dont have my tach working yet, i ordered a pack of resistors from Amazon to see if that will boost the signal.
Love the swap, Ive learned so much on here that helped keep more issues from coming up. With enough research and knowing your limits and skills of fabrication these can be done with limited issues and very reliable.
Couple issues i ran into but fixed.
Tac module gave up 60miles in.
Forgot to tighten hose coming out of the Corvette reg.
Forgot to tighten pwr steering hose at gear box.
Easily fixed.
Still dont have my tach working yet, i ordered a pack of resistors from Amazon to see if that will boost the signal.
Love the swap, Ive learned so much on here that helped keep more issues from coming up. With enough research and knowing your limits and skills of fabrication these can be done with limited issues and very reliable.
I have about 3 months and 4k miles on my swap (95% city driving). I drive it daily to work and nightly for fun. The only failure was my fault: the fuse contact for my fuel pump wasn't fully seated in the fuse panel I made and it lost contact a few days ago. I was able to rig it up enough to get home. The engine runs perfectly.
88 300zx, 2002 LM7, TKO600 5 speed.
88 300zx, 2002 LM7, TKO600 5 speed.
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, TX
In 55,000 miles on my ls1 celica the only time I had to call a tow truck was the same time I learned how "powering through" axle hop will break u-joints. After the lesson was learned I had no issues, including several 6000+ mile road trips.
The only repair I had to make to my RX7 (same engine/trans as the celica) during a trip was to get a quieter muffler. Not that anything broke, it was just making me deaf and driving me nuts. Plan it properly, use as many factory parts as possible and know every inch of the car. A hot rod or swap car should be more reliable than before the swap because (presumably) the new parts are... well, newer.
The only repair I had to make to my RX7 (same engine/trans as the celica) during a trip was to get a quieter muffler. Not that anything broke, it was just making me deaf and driving me nuts. Plan it properly, use as many factory parts as possible and know every inch of the car. A hot rod or swap car should be more reliable than before the swap because (presumably) the new parts are... well, newer.
