1968 Chevrolet Impala LS1 conversion (Help)
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 15
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From: Traverse City, Mi
1968 Chevrolet Impala LS1 conversion (Help) Hello,
I just found this site over the weekend, very nice! I am no stranger to the conversion of late model technology into older vehicles...I believe it's one of the greatest things that can be done, to enjoy our cars to the fullest.
I am starting a new project with a fully loaded, highly optioned '68 Impala SS. I want to do the swap with a '98 or newer LS1 & 4l60E auto trans. I have just started doing my research and need help on from which model should the LS1 come from F body or Corvette? The front accessories are my biggest concern, I do want to retain a/c. I know with the LT1 engine swaps the Corvette engines are a lot easier due to engine accessories on the driver side and a/c up high, but what about the LS1?
I would probably go with a painless wiring kit, for simplicity, but what else has to be considered?
Is there a header being made for this swap?
HAS ANYONE OUT THERE DONE A SWAP LIKE THIS?
Hope you have read this far...the ultimate goal here is to install the LS1, then install a Magnacharger. Magnacharger just came out with a roots type supercharger for the LS1 vette and in the next couple months will have one for "hot rod" applications, meaning tuning will be available for conversions like mine or yours <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" /> .
Thanks for reading,
Steve
<small>[ December 01, 2002, 10:32 AM: Message edited by: gto_70 ]</small>
I just found this site over the weekend, very nice! I am no stranger to the conversion of late model technology into older vehicles...I believe it's one of the greatest things that can be done, to enjoy our cars to the fullest.
I am starting a new project with a fully loaded, highly optioned '68 Impala SS. I want to do the swap with a '98 or newer LS1 & 4l60E auto trans. I have just started doing my research and need help on from which model should the LS1 come from F body or Corvette? The front accessories are my biggest concern, I do want to retain a/c. I know with the LT1 engine swaps the Corvette engines are a lot easier due to engine accessories on the driver side and a/c up high, but what about the LS1?
I would probably go with a painless wiring kit, for simplicity, but what else has to be considered?
Is there a header being made for this swap?
HAS ANYONE OUT THERE DONE A SWAP LIKE THIS?
Hope you have read this far...the ultimate goal here is to install the LS1, then install a Magnacharger. Magnacharger just came out with a roots type supercharger for the LS1 vette and in the next couple months will have one for "hot rod" applications, meaning tuning will be available for conversions like mine or yours <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" /> .
Thanks for reading,
Steve
<small>[ December 01, 2002, 10:32 AM: Message edited by: gto_70 ]</small>
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 194
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From: Tampa, Florida
Re: 1968 Chevrolet Impala LS1 conversion (Help) I got your e-mail and sent one back. I say because of the Magnacharger you'll want to get a Vette engine. The accessories are different and converting a F or Y body LS1 to Vette accessories could get expensive. But you'll need the tranny from a F or Y body.
As far as the wiring you can do it yourself (get a set of service manuals for the car the engine came out of from Helms), send your harness to somebody to have it modified, or buy a modified harness from somebody (i.e. Speartech). Additionally I would recomend LS1 Edit which will allow you to delete VATS, emissions stuff, fuel pressure sensor stuff, rear O2's, etc and program for earlier fan turn on, raised rev limiter, shift points, etc. You'll still need a engine diagnostic scanner or access to one.
I think you will need the BCM to use the LS1 compressor (I'm not sure on this).
As far as the wiring you can do it yourself (get a set of service manuals for the car the engine came out of from Helms), send your harness to somebody to have it modified, or buy a modified harness from somebody (i.e. Speartech). Additionally I would recomend LS1 Edit which will allow you to delete VATS, emissions stuff, fuel pressure sensor stuff, rear O2's, etc and program for earlier fan turn on, raised rev limiter, shift points, etc. You'll still need a engine diagnostic scanner or access to one.
I think you will need the BCM to use the LS1 compressor (I'm not sure on this).
Re: 1968 Chevrolet Impala LS1 conversion (Help) This isn't quite the same swap but the documentation should help you out and let you know what you are in for....click here http://www.montecarloss.com/ls1montecarloss/
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Traverse City, Mi
Re: 1968 Chevrolet Impala LS1 conversion (Help) Thanks for the response's so far.
John, I spent quite a bit of time reading your site, you almost talked me out of this project, but I think it is still well worth it.
Do you think I can reduce costs by using the Vette LS1, would all accesories clear? Would the factory exhaust work? I will also use the auto trans, should be less trouble. Are you going to supercharge your Monte?
My biggest question is which LS1 engine to start with. Sounds like Street & Performance makes engine mount adapters?
John, I spent quite a bit of time reading your site, you almost talked me out of this project, but I think it is still well worth it.
Do you think I can reduce costs by using the Vette LS1, would all accesories clear? Would the factory exhaust work? I will also use the auto trans, should be less trouble. Are you going to supercharge your Monte?
My biggest question is which LS1 engine to start with. Sounds like Street & Performance makes engine mount adapters?
Re: 1968 Chevrolet Impala LS1 conversion (Help) </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">John, I spent quite a bit of time reading your site, you almost talked me out of this project, but I think it is still well worth it.
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Heck, this wasn't meant to "de-motivate" you <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Are you going to supercharge your Monte? </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Why would I....I can't get traction on the street below 45MPH now <img border="0" alt="[Banging Head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" />
As for the motor recommendations, I concur with Speartech but you may have enough room for an F-body set-up if you measure. Worst case is that you can buy one of my A/C brackets and move things up top for the A/C system and then I know the F-body will work if this saves you money over the C5 set-up.
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Heck, this wasn't meant to "de-motivate" you <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Are you going to supercharge your Monte? </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Why would I....I can't get traction on the street below 45MPH now <img border="0" alt="[Banging Head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" />
As for the motor recommendations, I concur with Speartech but you may have enough room for an F-body set-up if you measure. Worst case is that you can buy one of my A/C brackets and move things up top for the A/C system and then I know the F-body will work if this saves you money over the C5 set-up.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 33
From: Anderson, Indiana
Re: 1968 Chevrolet Impala LS1 conversion (Help) The Corvette accessories will help by putting the alternator high on the drivers side instead of down low. A/C is a problem either way, as all of the GM applications put the compressor low on the passenger side. We just finished an LS1 into a 92 Buick Roadmaster and had to take a half-moon cut out of the frame for A/C clearance. We welded steel back in to maintain frame strength and all was well.
I think you will want F-car exhaust manifolds for frame clearance also. The Vette manifolds are too center oriented to clear the frame.
Stick with your project; you'll be glad you did!!
The LS1 is a fantastic engine.
I think you will want F-car exhaust manifolds for frame clearance also. The Vette manifolds are too center oriented to clear the frame.
Stick with your project; you'll be glad you did!!
The LS1 is a fantastic engine.
__________________
91 Z28 LS2 408CI, LS9 Supercharger, LPE GT7 cam, Yank3000, 3450 raceweight.
Latest numbers: 9.71 ET, 141.42 MPH, 1.40 60' , 610 RWHP Mustang Dyno
www.speartech.com
91 Z28 LS2 408CI, LS9 Supercharger, LPE GT7 cam, Yank3000, 3450 raceweight.
Latest numbers: 9.71 ET, 141.42 MPH, 1.40 60' , 610 RWHP Mustang Dyno
www.speartech.com
