Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 03:46 PM
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I want to mate a LT5/ZR1 1990-1995 engine with a ZF transaxle (GT40) mid engine location ,can you help. Cannot find bellhousing . Need starting point for bellhousing.There are bellhousings for small block and also for LS .So ,are any of the mounting bolts the same?
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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 04:09 PM
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Do you have the engine? As rare as it is, there will not be much in conversion parts for it. If you have it, look at the mounting surface.
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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 05:22 PM
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Yes I have a new engine and I have a new ZF transaxle. Mounting surface looks as if top bolts are in same place lower 2 are not : and the engine also has a starter in the V valley of the engine. Is there any place I can find a gasket or something like a gasket from small block or LS that I can lay on the block without buying a bellhousing just to find out it is different ?
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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 05:25 PM
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If you really knew about this stuff, you would know there is no gasket between engine and trans. where did you find a NEW 1990-95 LT5 engine?
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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 05:30 PM
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I have the LT5 new engine and new ZF transaxle . Top bolts look ok lower 2 are different. Where can I find something like a gasket that I can lay on the engine to see if top bolts line up?
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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 05:39 PM
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I know that some engines have a shield (maybe the automatics) and this may be able to show the locations of the bolts of SBC or LS. From this I can see if they line up.
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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 05:43 PM
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The new LT5 was from my local dealer Chevy. ...................don't ask how much
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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 06:01 PM
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I am 99.9% sure that the back of the block has 6 mounting points that will coincide with most other common GM V-8 bolt patterns. I believe that GM/Lotus eliminated the top center bolt to make room for the in block DIS that’s located at the top rear under the intake.
Can you take a picture of the back of your engine to confirm? Did you purchase this off of FaceBook Marketplace? I don’t FaceBook, but I saw a picture of a “new” LT5, still in a crate, sealed in like 1993. It was posted a coupled days ago for sale, but it had a bellhousing on it.
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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 06:26 PM
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OK- Is this a current model LT5 or the one from the early 90's? Your first post refers to the early one, There are TWO different LT5's
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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 07:26 PM
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Originally Posted by G Atsma
OK- Is this a current model LT5 or the one from the early 90's? Your first post refers to the early one, There are TWO different LT5's
He’s referring to the early 32 valve LT5.
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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Che70velle


He’s referring to the early 32 valve LT5.
I kinda thought so, but wasn't sure. Not sure why he wants to use that when most LS engines far surpass it in power and efficiency.
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Old Dec 13, 2018 | 03:47 PM
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I own a Lotus Esprit and this LT5 was designed for it ,at a time that Lotus decided it would be better to stay with the 4 cylinder turbo they had. I want to use the LT5 in this car . The transaxle in the car now in not strong enough, therefore I decided on the ZF transaxle. I know that I can put a locomotive engine in the car , If I have enough money.
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Old Dec 13, 2018 | 04:03 PM
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The LT5 is a unique bellhousing that you will have to locate.

There are places that sell them. Here is a link to one.

https://www.vette2vette.com/?q=produ...ng-bellhousing
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Old Dec 13, 2018 | 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by 1964SS
The LT5 is a unique bellhousing that you will have to locate.

There are places that sell them. Here is a link to one.

https://www.vette2vette.com/?q=produ...ng-bellhousing
He’s not looking for a bell, he’s wondering about the bolt pattern. The link you posted confirmed what I was thinking, and by seeing the picture of the bolt pattern, the bottom 6 bolts are the same as every other modern Chevy v-8.
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Old Dec 13, 2018 | 05:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Che70velle


He’s not looking for a bell, he’s wondering about the bolt pattern. The link you posted confirmed what I was thinking, and by seeing the picture of the bolt pattern, the bottom 6 bolts are the same as every other modern Chevy v-8.
If you read his post he is trying to locate a bell for it
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Old Dec 13, 2018 | 09:36 PM
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Originally Posted by 1964SS
If you read his post he is trying to locate a bell for it
In the first post he does ask about a bell, but if you read on down, in post 3, he’s simply wanting to figure out if the LT5 will bolt to his transaxle, and the bell was just for a reference only. He even asked if a gasket was available, to save him from buying the bellhousing.
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Old Dec 13, 2018 | 11:55 PM
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One thing now is finding clutch components that will fit the ZF tranny AND the LT5.
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Old Dec 14, 2018 | 11:50 AM
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THe LT5 was a replacement engine, it came with stock flywheel. clutch, disk and bellhousing. Now . how do I mate these two together. without a prophylactic...…….
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Old Dec 14, 2018 | 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Edouard Kopuzougian
THe LT5 was a replacement engine, it came with stock flywheel. clutch, disk and bellhousing. Now . how do I mate these two together. without a prophylactic...…….
Perhaps if you posted pictures of what you are working with, we can better help you. The Lotus is mid engine? So you're trying to mate a ZF (Porsche?) transaxle? If the engine has a standard SBC bellhousing pattern, I do believe there are companies that make the parts to mate with a ZF transaxle. You'll probably need a custom flywheel, but those are relatively simple in the grand scheme of things.

Andrew
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Old Dec 14, 2018 | 02:11 PM
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Try here for an adaptor...

http://www.superlitecars.com/parts/
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