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LS in Cadillac XLR?

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Old 09-22-2018, 02:47 AM
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Default LS in Cadillac XLR?

Hi all. I’m new here and looking for some assistance. My wife and I have been searching for a project vehicle and we both really like the Cadillac XLR. I have seen some stuff online about people putting LS engines in them. My only concern is the ECM/tuning side of things. I don’t want to go down this path without having a source that I can work with that definitely knows how to make this work. I personally would like to learn a little about tuning from this project but I feel that I will need an expert to deal with to get this working. I have read stuff about having to buy certain model years etc. but again I would really like to talk with someone that can give me definite answers.

Is is there anyone on here that can point me in the right direction of who I can deal with to help me on this project?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
Old 09-28-2018, 07:38 AM
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As far as i know , there has been only 2 or 3 people to ever finish this swap. I researched this swap before, and it seems like the best way to get this swap done is to buy a wrecked C5\C6 and swap everything over. I personally wont mess with trying to get the northstar ECU to work with an LS...... it sounds like a big headache. If you are on Facebook , search for a group named Project XLR.... this topic has been brought up a few times , and i believe someone even started a list of whats all needed.
Old 09-28-2018, 09:41 PM
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Originally Posted by tobyyost
Hi all. I’m new here and looking for some assistance. My wife and I have been searching for a project vehicle and we both really like the Cadillac XLR. I have seen some stuff online about people putting LS engines in them. My only concern is the ECM/tuning side of things. I don’t want to go down this path without having a source that I can work with that definitely knows how to make this work. I personally would like to learn a little about tuning from this project but I feel that I will need an expert to deal with to get this working. I have read stuff about having to buy certain model years etc. but again I would really like to talk with someone that can give me definite answers.

Is is there anyone on here that can point me in the right direction of who I can deal with to help me on this project?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
I sold my XLRV to the guy that owns RPM transmissions in Anderson In. a few years ago and he was going to do this swap for his wifes car.
Old 09-28-2018, 10:12 PM
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If I'm not mistaken there was a thread on here about this very swap. It was a little over the top-wise with a turbo engine and had some issues that had more to do with how much power the owner wanted to get out of it. Do a search and you should find something about this.
Old 11-03-2018, 05:00 PM
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lol
that was my car.

The car is now being updated with a 427" lsx motor!

stay tuned
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Old 11-03-2018, 05:19 PM
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Originally Posted by zbc51
lol
that was my car.

The car is now being updated with a 427" lsx motor!

stay tuned
ON it....
Old 11-03-2018, 05:24 PM
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You’re gonna be using the PCM for the LS and it tunes just like every other LS swap in any other chassis.
Old 11-03-2018, 05:27 PM
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Originally Posted by 8.Lug
You’re gonna be using the PCM for the LS and it tunes just like every other LS swap in any other chassis.
I think he meant for US to stay tuned into progress on his build..... but don't hold me to it....
Old 11-03-2018, 06:48 PM
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What progress? I don’t even think he has the car yet.
Old 11-03-2018, 06:50 PM
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Just realized you’re referring to someone else’s progress. I was replying to the OP.
Old 11-03-2018, 08:21 PM
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Ah, OK. Easy to lose track on this thread...
Old 11-04-2018, 08:12 AM
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I don't want to hijack this thread. Xlr ls conversion can be done conversion.

I did a twin turbo 416 ls3 with a ttix turbo kit.

the 6l80e can't hold over 700 whp. I blew through 3 transmissions

I then converted to a 4l60e and zo6 diff

The car is being updated with a 427" lsx motor currently.
Old 11-04-2018, 09:32 AM
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To tobyyost - if you haven’t bought the car yet, I think you may want to reconsider an XLR as a “project car.” There is a severe price gouging market for XLR parts due to its rarity. I almost bought one until this was pointed out to me. Used headlights sell for 1,500-3,000, tail lights sell for 3,000-5,000, trim pieces fetch into the thousands - If being conned isn’t something that bothers you, have at it. Me personally, I’d rather LS swap a 911 - tail lights are $300.
Old 11-04-2018, 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted by 8.Lug
To tobyyost - if you haven’t bought the car yet, I think you may want to reconsider an XLR as a “project car.” There is a severe price gouging market for XLR parts due to its rarity. I almost bought one until this was pointed out to me. Used headlights sell for 1,500-3,000, tail lights sell for 3,000-5,000, trim pieces fetch into the thousands - If being conned isn’t something that bothers you, have at it. Me personally, I’d rather LS swap a 911 - tail lights are $300.
Wow. NOT the nightmare I would rather have...
Old 02-03-2019, 06:04 AM
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Unhappy I wish I wish...

Originally Posted by zbc51
I don't want to hijack this thread. Xlr ls conversion can be done conversion.

I did a twin turbo 416 ls3 with a ttix turbo kit.

the 6l80e can't hold over 700 whp. I blew through 3 transmissions

I then converted to a 4l60e and zo6 diff

The car is being updated with a 427" lsx motor currently.
I wished I could have had someone with your expertise to actually do that type of conversion for me..... Been looking at the forums for quite some time now for this type of swap.
Old 02-03-2019, 01:39 PM
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ROFL!

$6500 for one headlight.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cadillac-XL...7Ea:rk:21:pf:0
Old 04-21-2019, 01:35 PM
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Hi ZBC. Can I contact you about this conversion? I can handle the mechanical end. I have done a few LT-1 swaps no LS yet.
Old 04-21-2019, 09:16 PM
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Originally Posted by lasstss
Hi ZBC. Can I contact you about this conversion? I can handle the mechanical end. I have done a few LT-1 swaps no LS yet.
basically you need to configure the car as a zr1. It has the same e67 pcm. You need to write a custom operating system to work the a6. You will need to make a custom engine harness using the ZR1’s pin outs.

The mechanical swap swap is plug and play. The tuning is the difficult part , but it can be done.
Old 05-11-2019, 06:20 PM
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where are you located? Im in maryland. I have done a half dozen jag/chev conversions over the years. A bit simpler.
I know what you are saying but I dont know these devices.
Old 04-29-2021, 07:21 PM
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hey zbc51,,,how did this swap come out...I know its 3 year old

Last edited by veloz; 04-29-2021 at 07:22 PM. Reason: typo


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