81 Turbo Trans Am Conversion Help
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2010
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81 Turbo Trans Am Conversion Help I have searched and not come up with a complete ls swap. I need opinions and input and some issues resolved. I am debating on a ls1 or 6.0 or 5.3 truck motor. My biggest issue with the truck motors is the added cost of a front runner system or is there a cheaper route for the accessory hookup. I am also want to retain my A/C. Also with the conversion, I plan on using a 4l60e or 4l80e trans and will that require any tunnel fab. I have a TH350 behind the original 301 now. Or do I use that trans? If I use a 4L can I use the original shifter? What about using stock guages? My car is an original and want to retain as much of that look as much as possible. Also what are my inexpensive choices for a radiator and fans? I think TanksInc will be the choice of fuel system..good or bad? If I use a truck motor..will the intake clear the turbo hood or do I just get an ls3 intake? I really want to do this must try and keep it under $5000..I have a LS1 / T56 a 67 camaro and it is awesome and the mileage is 25-27. Don't know if I would be happy with a 400 or
Olds 403..which obviously be cheaper. I appreciate all input and sites to go to.
Olds 403..which obviously be cheaper. I appreciate all input and sites to go to.
ok heres the answer to most of the questions, the 4l60e fits fine, no mods, gotta swap out a plate on the shifter to use with overdrive, shiftworks sells it, the tanks inc fits in the stock tank and under the stock trunk floor, as for front accessories, get something that is used, or if you want the show and shine get the new stuff, then get the compressor mount on the passenger side on top, im sure the trunk intake will fit, as the stock ls1 intake fits with room to mount the shaker to the engine and have it come through the hood, just gotta fab it up, stock radiator works fine, and get some f body fans or some other similiar electric fans, if you get the non setback plates, you can get the aftermarket trans crossmember from summit and bolts right in, all lined up, stock driveshaft might fit that way too.... might just need an inch taken off.....
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
ok heres the answer to most of the questions, the 4l60e fits fine, no mods, gotta swap out a plate on the shifter to use with overdrive, shiftworks sells it, the tanks inc fits in the stock tank and under the stock trunk floor, as for front accessories, get something that is used, or if you want the show and shine get the new stuff, then get the compressor mount on the passenger side on top, im sure the trunk intake will fit, as the stock ls1 intake fits with room to mount the shaker to the engine and have it come through the hood, just gotta fab it up, stock radiator works fine, and get some f body fans or some other similiar electric fans, if you get the non setback plates, you can get the aftermarket trans crossmember from summit and bolts right in, all lined up, stock driveshaft might fit that way too.... might just need an inch taken off.....
yeah, it will really wake it up, Im a big guy on the 2nd gen t/as, Just be sure that if you are doing a bolt in conversion, that you keep all your original stuff in case you ever sell it, I know and so do many others that the turbo motor is junk, but there is a big following for it too.... just check out 301garage.com or if you want to sell it, thats your best bet, or 78ta.com or transamcountry.com alot of useful information there between the sites..... all in all im happy with mine, I need to take it to a shop to work out all the final drivetrain gremlins but otherwise its good....
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Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2010
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yeah, it will really wake it up, Im a big guy on the 2nd gen t/as, Just be sure that if you are doing a bolt in conversion, that you keep all your original stuff in case you ever sell it, I know and so do many others that the turbo motor is junk, but there is a big following for it too.... just check out 301garage.com or if you want to sell it, thats your best bet, or 78ta.com or transamcountry.com alot of useful information there between the sites..... all in all im happy with mine, I need to take it to a shop to work out all the final drivetrain gremlins but otherwise its good....
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Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2010
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no half ***'n it..got many friends in the protouring community and know several writers and editor of Camaro Performers so many avenues for making sure this thing gets done correctly. Want to do Bandit Run and several ProTouring events. Myself, Bill Howell and Yancy Johns put on a killer event our in California so this car maybe making a cross country trip next Feb. Should get good gas mileage. One orther question for those that have done the conversion, did you change the rearend ratio with a 4l60e trans up front.
I didnt, yet. Gonna do 3:73 s. I've had alot of f bodies and they seem to like these gears the best for all around performance. The stock 3:08s are ok for now, but 2nd gens aint exactly light. I do recall my old 81 TTA with a 455 olds TH 350 and stock gears, that thing would dig holes in the pavement from a dead stop, it was a torque monster though.... Post some pics of your car, lets see whatcha got!!
The purists can suck it! The TTA s looked great, handled great,and is one of the most identifiable cars ever, but that 301 just blows, period! Nothin like pullin up to a stoplight with a bad *** T/A then getting your *** handed to ya by a Ford escort !!! Yeah good times.... Its your car make it RUN HARD, FTW !!!
Talk about embarrassing.
1981 wasn't exactly a banner year for powerful or reliable engines. Take the 301 Turbo out, carefully protect it with some sort of wrap and put something more potent in its place. If it ever comes time to sell your baby, point at the heavy garbage bag in the corner of your garage and say "That's included, if you want it."
Agree 100%. I'm running a 81 TA that has major parts out of two TAs: a stripper 1981 Chebby 305 TA (flawless body), rust bucket 1981 TTA (WS6/4-wheel disc brakes), The TTA 301 might have had 200 HP, if the timing chain was still in one piece when I got it. The 305 wasn't much better, with the passenger side EGR doing funky crap and giving the car at most 100 HP off the line.
Talk about embarrassing.
1981 wasn't exactly a banner year for powerful or reliable engines. Take the 301 Turbo out, carefully protect it with some sort of wrap and put something more potent in its place. If it ever comes time to sell your baby, point at the heavy garbage bag in the corner of your garage and say "That's included, if you want it."
Talk about embarrassing.
1981 wasn't exactly a banner year for powerful or reliable engines. Take the 301 Turbo out, carefully protect it with some sort of wrap and put something more potent in its place. If it ever comes time to sell your baby, point at the heavy garbage bag in the corner of your garage and say "That's included, if you want it."
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 52
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What an idea since my car has less than 50,000 miles on it. Found a LS1 with 4l60E out of 02 camaro for $3400 with 92,000 miles with all accessories and wiring. Is this a good purchase or move on? If not does someone have a good source for a drop out?
Last edited by Danny Thomas; Jul 5, 2011 at 09:41 PM.
not bad, but the vette trans is in the rear though..... i dont know if the auto can be converterd to bolt up directly to the motor...oil pan will need swapped, accessories are a great fit.... i konw there is a yard down the road from me that has an 02 t56 pullout from a camaro... 5k though...
not bad, but the vette trans is in the rear though..... i dont know if the auto can be converterd to bolt up directly to the motor...oil pan will need swapped, accessories are a great fit.... i konw there is a yard down the road from me that has an 02 t56 pullout from a camaro... 5k though...
