How bad is it really?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2
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How bad is it really? I recently bought a 73 camaro and was looking into doing the LS1/6speed conversion.. My camaro has a 350 with an automatic tranny but is not a z or an rs. the engine came stock with a two barrel so i was looking for a little more juice. how bad is the conversion really and what major problems will i encounter? i can weld and i have a mill and a lathe but dont really have too much knowledge on the subject.. if any body has done this swap and has any hinters or suggestions whether or whether not to do this i would appreciate the advice.. i am also open to any other motor conversions that may be easier but i would prefer the ls1.
thanks
thanks
LT1 would be a bolt in for hardware. Still need to get wiring sorted out though.
Ls1 is better in my opinion though. You just need to spend some time using the search feature for this forum and youll get pretty much every question you have answered. Anything else you would come across would be answered pretty fast.
I did the conversion on my 72 Camaro, and the hardest part about it was making headers. Everything else was just basic fabrication.
Ls1 is better in my opinion though. You just need to spend some time using the search feature for this forum and youll get pretty much every question you have answered. Anything else you would come across would be answered pretty fast.
I did the conversion on my 72 Camaro, and the hardest part about it was making headers. Everything else was just basic fabrication.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
thanks for the info so an Lt1 from a mid-90's camaro could be a simpler solution? would there still be an issue with the size of the 6-speed transmission? and how many other things would have to be fabricated to make this switch. in your opinion which would be my better option? what were the major parts you fabbed on the ls1 swap?
The LT1 is basically a reverse flow Small block chevy. If you have a tight budget and are not as mechanically inclined it is a great motor. It will bolt right up the worst case is you'll have to make a little room for the tranny but that is relatively easy. The headers that are made for SBC on that car would bolt right up as would the motor mounts.
I'm probably going to do a LT1 in my blazer. I'd rather do an 6.0L or LS1 but the LT1 is a simplier solution. Now if I was going in a car like a 300zx or a Rx7 I'd do the LS1 cause your starting from scratch to begin with.
But if you have the money and time the LS1 is a better motor....
I'm probably going to do a LT1 in my blazer. I'd rather do an 6.0L or LS1 but the LT1 is a simplier solution. Now if I was going in a car like a 300zx or a Rx7 I'd do the LS1 cause your starting from scratch to begin with.
But if you have the money and time the LS1 is a better motor....
i tell you what, when i first started my conversion, i was so stoked about doing it. then after months of being hasseled by all the lil problems i was gettin pretty tired of doin it and was ready to just put a 400 or a 455 back in there. but after yesterday and starting for the first time... you couldnt smack a smile off of my face. if your worried about wiring, i have never wired anything before i started this project. Nothing, never once wired anything! and i didnt mess one thing up on my car. so if you really want a ls1 i say go for it.
Fabrication was motor mounts, headers, trans x-member, fuel system. Other little odds and ends type of things. Like it was said earlier, it takes a little time to do the LS1 swap but it is definately worth it. Once you have the hood open in a parking lot or a show somewhere, you would be amazed by the amount of people you will have around your car.
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Call some of our sponsors and order a built shortblock. That way you can insure it is fresh and 0 miles. Then, order some heads too. You can pick up the small misc stuff off of ebay, like front and rear engine covers, oil pan, valley cover, etc.... instead of working parts.
Its often cheaper to just buy the performance built parts brand new instead of taking a chance with a $2000 ebay motor that you really don't know if you can trust.
Tony
Its often cheaper to just buy the performance built parts brand new instead of taking a chance with a $2000 ebay motor that you really don't know if you can trust.
Tony
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I bought my motor off of a forum member, then had it disassembled, bores honed, new rings, bearings, oil pump, timing set, and cam. I didn't trust a 40k mile motor that had been sitting for 1.5 years in some storage place in TX. It was worth it for the peace of mind.
Like Lesrace said above, the first time you open the hood at a show and people see what's under the hood, it makes it all worth it.
Like Lesrace said above, the first time you open the hood at a show and people see what's under the hood, it makes it all worth it.
I got my engine and trans off of ebay. If you do go that route, just make sure they have good feedback. If there are alot of negatives said about then, just steer clear.
Like Nineball said though, if your looking into building the motor later on anyway, might as well spend the money up front and get it done. Its what I wish I could go back and do.
Like Nineball said though, if your looking into building the motor later on anyway, might as well spend the money up front and get it done. Its what I wish I could go back and do.