Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

does this look normal?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 01:05 AM
  #1  
SIKHS 5's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
Default does this look normal?

finally got my front clip back on today... and it left me scratching my head thinking huh?

i went the LH8, BRP, LQ4/4L80E route and it looks like i will be needing extra hood clearance.



i wanted to keep my car subtle(since its a dd 4 door)

the point where it looks like i need the most clearance is where it says "vortec" above the intake manifold[the rest looks like it mighttt clear - are there any hood bulges i could go with(weld in)...

or should i just spring for a 4"+ cowl?
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 02:05 AM
  #2  
gofastwclass's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,949
Likes: 28
From: KCMO
Default

The supplied angles leave a lot to be desired about clearance. You need a side shot which will only tell you how high above the fenders the engine sits. I have never seen a hood that didn't have at least a bit of crown which means you probably have more room than you think.

My Thunderbird is close... I mean close enough that I have less than 3/4 inch between the top of the throttle body (car intake) and the bottom of the insulation under the hood! The engine is also as low as it can be since I can't (won't) realistically move the steering rack that is under the oil pan. If I showed you a picture from the side you would say "no way that is going to work" because it sticks up a couple of inches past the fenders but the hood bows up enough to allow everything to clear.

My suggestion: put the hood on and get some play dough. Place the play dough on top of the highest point and SLOWLY close the hood. Open the hood and measure, this is your clearance.

If clearance is a problem skip modifying the hood, switch to a car intake and immediately gain 5 inches. Long live the sleeper!
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 02:32 AM
  #3  
SIKHS 5's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by gofastwclass
The supplied angles leave a lot to be desired about clearance. You need a side shot which will only tell you how high above the fenders the engine sits. I have never seen a hood that didn't have at least a bit of crown which means you probably have more room than you think.

My Thunderbird is close... I mean close enough that I have less than 3/4 inch between the top of the throttle body (car intake) and the bottom of the insulation under the hood! The engine is also as low as it can be since I can't (won't) realistically move the steering rack that is under the oil pan. If I showed you a picture from the side you would say "no way that is going to work" because it sticks up a couple of inches past the fenders but the hood bows up enough to allow everything to clear.

My suggestion: put the hood on and get some play dough. Place the play dough on top of the highest point and SLOWLY close the hood. Open the hood and measure, this is your clearance.

If clearance is a problem skip modifying the hood, switch to a car intake and immediately gain 5 inches. Long live the sleeper!
thanks for the feedback!! ill def have to try on the stock hood tomorrow. hopefully its real close and i can go with a 2" cowl over a 4" or something crazy(more subtle )

ill let you guys know how bad it is + more pics.
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 03:21 AM
  #4  
garys 68's Avatar
TECH Junkie
15 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 39
From: Camdenton, MO
Default

Remove the cover, it's just cosmetic. Then shave off some of the "junk" on the intake. That should provide a little extra clearance.
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 11:17 AM
  #5  
bczee's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,670
Likes: 6
From: Concord, CA
Default

+1 on removing the cover.. then grind down the ribs, sand and paint the intake.

But with the way BRP mounts the engine due to the LH8 pan deeper sump. It will sit a bit high and well always give a bit of a problem if still using the truck Intakes..

How about getting a LS1 intake, they are pretty cheap or free. Problem solved....
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 11:38 AM
  #6  
Pocket's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,656
Likes: 149
From: NC
Default

Is the trans crossmember bolted up? Seems to be a little high in the front

Can always swap to a car styled intake for more clearance
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 12:36 PM
  #7  
Lil'John's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 250
Likes: 3
Default

You can trim on the truck cover and get it VERY low. If you look at the inside of the truck cover, you will see it has "legs". You can cut the legs off, trim around the intake and alternator for clearance, "glue" washers, and then bolt it on.

I did the above on one of my conversions and it turned out okay. Still wasn't low enough for my hood but looked okay. I can't seem to find pictures of it at this time.
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 02:09 PM
  #8  
flywheel's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 1
From: Edgerton, Ks
Default

That's the exact set up i have in my 71 and my intake cover just rubs slightly on my cowl hood (non functionalble). I also have a 66 with the goodmark 2" cowl hood and just went and check it, that wont clear the inside bracing on it.. It would have to be trimmed on the inside before installing. Not a big deal if you don't have it painted already. If I knew how to post ya a pix I give one of my 66 hood.....
Rick
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 02:20 PM
  #9  
flywheel's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 1
From: Edgerton, Ks
Default

Did you have to raise the tranny tunnel? I did in my 71. Those BRP mounts sit the engine higher than most. I also had to add a deflector plate on my crossmember to protect the oil pan. The lh8 pan hangs under it and Ive already scraped it several times. I hope you have checked your drive shaft angle. That's why I had to cut my tunnel.
Rick
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2011 | 07:53 PM
  #10  
Kenova's Avatar
Launching!
20 Year Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 223
Likes: 3
From: Ontario, Canada
Default

Loose the truck oil pan and drop the engine.
Why do people continue to use truck oil pans for these swaps? It's not like the problems have never been documented.

Ken
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:07 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE