I have an 86 corvette 4+3 and been contemplating an ls1 swap for some time. Currently I’m sitting on a good deal for a really low mileage LQ9 motor without wiring or accessory brackets.

My plan would be to purchase this engine, use s&p motor plates, MAC f body headers, and an ls6 intake. I have a set of autometer pro comp series gauges, and currently dual 2.5 inch exhaust with an x pipe. I wanted to keep the stock 3.07 gears at least for now (the old tpi pulled hard with them). . Id like to throw in the best cam I can use without having to get a tune.


My big problems:

Tranny… I would like to use a tko600 5 speed or a t56. I am not at all willing to sacrifice my shifter position. I would like to hear from anyone that has done either of these swaps. I don’t know about a torque arm, shifter locations, flywheel/bellhousings use of stock or aftermarket hydraulics etc

Accessories: Assuming I get this engine and not another one, then I have the freedom (and requirement) or getting any brackets I can find. Should I go with truck accessories?, corvette? F body? I just don’t know about fitment.

Oil pan: I don’t know if the truck pan will fit, an F body pan probably will, but will a corvette pan fit? (Currently I believe these are cheaper (less demand) ). Do ls2 pans fit on ls1 style engines? I want be able to take hard turns and hard launches in good clear conscience.

Wiring: The engine I’m looking at has no wiring/computer. I have a friend who can give me the computer, wiring, mass air flow sensor, intake, and tb from an 02 camaro. Will this harness and computer work with the lq9? I don’t really understand what is different, but painless sells two different wiring harness.

So yeah, my biggest issue is the tranny, I don’t know what will fit, and how to make it fit. I have no problem cutting up my tunnel, driveshaft etc. I don’t want to move the shifter, I love where it is right now.

Thanks, and as always, if anyone has done this… tips? Pitfalls? Bad assumptions? Etc. ohh.. and pictures if anyone has any!!!

Thanks,

Chris

 

Just measure the location on the 4+3 or ZF6 of the shifter from the front of bellhousing then the same on the t56...

I dont believe it will fit whatsoever though, I believe it is way to far back.
The fbody accessories fit. I have the correct S&P alt bracket /w alternator for a C4 (nice billet alum piece) if you need it. P/S pump from either will not fit. Youll have to do a custom S&P bracket or make your own. Fbody pan fits.
Just use the sensors and setup from ls1 and normal fbody harness will connect just fine.

Personally I would run a Tremec TKO 600 and the shifter location will work fine plus be a much stronger tranny.

 

Thanks.

Well I went ahead and got the engine. I bought a few more thing since also. Keisler is being retarted and not returning me a quote for a modded tko 600... ive asked twice, like a month and a half ago. Can any of you other sponsors help me out? I need a price on a tko 600 .64 overdrive with the correct shifter for an early c4, I need a torque arm bracket or a modified tailhousing and etc. Also whatever bellhousing and clutch assembly I would need to bolt this to an ls1.


VTESPEED:

What is in the way that the power steering will not fit? I was just looking at a picture of an l98 and a vette ls1.. The stuff is almost in the same place. I dont have brackets yet, but I have a vette power steering pump. Thanks for the reply. Anything else I should be aware off?