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LS Swap in 78 Vette

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Old 01-04-2013, 07:38 PM
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Default LS Swap in 78 Vette

Going to Swap a LQ9 into my 78 Vette. I plan in using my 2004R, 2800 RPM stall so hoping that will work with this combo. Need to swap to LS6 manifold for hood clearance and will need TB converted to DBC. Going to convert the power steering to a jeep box and replace all the bushings and rubber in the front A arms. Currently have the old engine and trans pulled and cleaning and painting the engine bay. Lastly upgrading my A/C to Vintage or Classic Air. Looking for weekend cruiser around 450 HP.
Old 01-04-2013, 09:17 PM
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Sounds like a cool build! I'd love to have a C3 vette one day with an LS. I've got a 72 but its too original to mess with. Good luck on the build! Looking forward to pictures!
Old 01-04-2013, 10:28 PM
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Congrats on beginning your swap. I'm doing the same with a 73. Working on wiring now. Let me know if you need anything.
Old 01-06-2013, 06:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Hodge
Congrats on beginning your swap. I'm doing the same with a 73. Working on wiring now. Let me know if you need anything.
Have the engine in the shop now. Worked on cleaning engine bay yesterday and getting close to painting. A Arms are painted and bushings and ball joints installed. Got a media blast cabinet on the way to finish cleaning up the remaining parts for paint.
Seriously considering the Classic air upgrade. Less $ and simpler system. Will talk with them about my project tomorrow. Can get compressor and mount from them.
Need to get a alt/ps with correct bracket for this swap. Looking at the Holley PART #: 20-135
Need to decide which manifold to swap to LS1-LS2 or LS 6
Attached Thumbnails LS Swap in 78 Vette-74290_10150119302580299_744530298_7675687_547559_n.jpg   LS Swap in 78 Vette-78-corvette-engine-bay-driver-side.jpg   LS Swap in 78 Vette-78-corvette-arm-passenger.jpg  
Old 01-06-2013, 08:30 AM
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I have a Holley 550-400 efi system I purchased for my pre LS swap. Can I use this for the LQ9. It was for a throttle body so can the harness with a few mods be made to work? This is the harness I need. http://www.holley.com/558-102.asp

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Old 01-06-2013, 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by donnie_19
Have the engine in the shop now. Worked on cleaning engine bay yesterday and getting close to painting. A Arms are painted and bushings and ball joints installed. Got a media blast cabinet on the way to finish cleaning up the remaining parts for paint.
Seriously considering the Classic air upgrade. Less $ and simpler system. Will talk with them about my project tomorrow. Can get compressor and mount from them.
Need to get a alt/ps with correct bracket for this swap. Looking at the Holley PART #: 20-135
Need to decide which manifold to swap to LS1-LS2 or LS 6
Very nice. I wish I had more time to work on mine.
Old 01-06-2013, 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by donnie_19
Going to Swap a LQ9 into my 78 Vette. I plan in using my 2004R, 2800 RPM stall so hoping that will work with this combo. Need to swap to LS6 manifold for hood clearance and will need TB converted to DBC. Going to convert the power steering to a jeep box and replace all the bushings and rubber in the front A arms. Currently have the old engine and trans pulled and cleaning and painting the engine bay. Lastly upgrading my A/C to Vintage or Classic Air. Looking for weekend cruiser around 450 HP.
You should be able to get a stock DBC throttle body for $50 or so on here. I have a spare one outside, but I think it's missing a couple screws for the throttle blade. I used a Lokar cable for mine with a stock LS mount.



Go with the LS6 manifold if you can...it's the best performing one of those you listed.

Good luck with the swap.
Old 01-06-2013, 12:55 PM
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If I go with the LS6 will the injectors and other hardware swap over? I found a couple on ebay that have the cable TB.
Old 01-06-2013, 03:54 PM
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The injectors will physically fit, but I'm not sure what they're rated at. I think stock F-body and Corvette injectors are 28lbs. If they are different, you'd need a retune on your computer...you should be able to search around on the site here and find out pretty quick. Just make sure the fuel rails will also fit.
Old 01-06-2013, 04:18 PM
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Truck flex fuel injectors are a direct fit on the LS1/6 manifold. You can use the non-flex fuel ones by removing the plastic tip. The LS1/6 fuel rail wont reach the shorter truck injectors and the truck rail is too tall for your hood.
You'll need aftermarket rails with the truck injectors or LS1 injectors with the LS1 rail.
Flex fuel injectors on an LS1 intake, aftermarket rails.
Old 01-07-2013, 08:29 AM
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Thanks, I found a few on flea bay so and am going to need a DBC TB any way. What extra parts besides rails will in need to make this one work? Member on this forum has it for sale
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BBK-SSI-5005...d9ac15&vxp=mtr
Old 01-07-2013, 08:31 AM
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Originally Posted by -Q-
You should be able to get a stock DBC throttle body for $50 or so on here. I have a spare one outside, but I think it's missing a couple screws for the throttle blade. I used a Lokar cable for mine with a stock LS mount.



Go with the LS6 manifold if you can...it's the best performing one of those you listed.

Good luck with the swap.
Nice looking engine bay. Whats the part number for that Lokar cable? Going to also need a different length TV cable for my 2004R.
Old 01-07-2013, 09:32 AM
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Fancy looking intake, any info on if it flows better than an LS1/6 intake? Also might want to check if TV cable hookup works with aftertmarket TB.
You'll need EGR blockoff, bolts, and set of gaskets.
Originally Posted by donnie_19
Thanks, I found a few on flea bay so and am going to need a DBC TB any way. What extra parts besides rails will in need to make this one work? Member on this forum has it for sale
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BBK-SSI-5005...d9ac15&vxp=mtr
Old 01-07-2013, 06:04 PM
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Originally Posted by donnie_19
Nice looking engine bay. Whats the part number for that Lokar cable? Going to also need a different length TV cable for my 2004R.
This is the one I used...

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/LOK-TC-1000LS1
Old 01-07-2013, 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted by -Q-
Thanks thats the one I am looking for.
Old 01-08-2013, 07:09 PM
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Originally Posted by garys 68
Truck flex fuel injectors are a direct fit on the LS1/6 manifold. You can use the non-flex fuel ones by removing the plastic tip. The LS1/6 fuel rail wont reach the shorter truck injectors and the truck rail is too tall for your hood.
You'll need aftermarket rails with the truck injectors or LS1 injectors with the LS1 rail.
Flex fuel injectors on an LS1 intake, aftermarket rails.
Did you go with DBW or DBC on your vette?
Old 01-09-2013, 09:34 PM
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Got all my old heater and A/C removed tonight. Making way for vintage air.
Old 01-10-2013, 12:57 AM
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I have dbw on both my LS swaps.
Old 01-10-2013, 06:46 AM
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Originally Posted by garys 68
I have dbw on both my LS swaps.
What transmissions did you use? I have a good 2004R I want to use.
Looking for better insulation under the floor boards already have the foil insulation inside. Any suggestions for the bottom side?

Last edited by donnie_19; 01-10-2013 at 07:44 AM.
Old 01-10-2013, 08:23 AM
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I'm running a richmond 6 speed.
On insulation, I used reflexit throughout the cabin. Really keeps my legs cooler. Mine is a convertible with sidepipes, so I did not bother with noise insulation. On the Olds, I layered fatmat, reflexit, OEM sound deadener, then jute back carpet. It's very quiet and comfortable.

Originally Posted by donnie_19
What transmissions did you use? I have a good 2004R I want to use.
Looking for better insulation under the floor boards already have the foil insulation inside. Any suggestions for the bottom side?


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