I am planning on a LS1 swap in my 1972 Chevelle based on an LQ9 or LQ4 block so I can use an SLP 402ci kit and build a street killer stroker prior to installation. I have a few concerns - I have no idea whether or not the pulley system will fit, where to get swap parts (motor mounts, headers, etc.) without going to S&P and spending my entire budget. Does anyone have the best place to get info regarding this swap and what it may take to make this a reality?
I also plan to run a T56 behind the engine - will the truck computer work with the 6-speed?
I am clearly in the infancy stages of this project. ANY help anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Rinky-
72 Chevelle

 

I believe the Fbody accessory system works the best. I've seen it used on a few a-body ls1 swaps. if you search this fourm you'll come up with at least 4 members with ls1 chevelles. Hopefully they can guide you in the right direction.

The computer will work. I'd suggest flashing it to a ls1 Fbody m6 operating system before tuning it.

 

I got a LQ4 in my 72 Chevelle lol.

-Matt

 

Ok, let me be of atleast some help....

The stock truck accessories work, HOWEVER... If you want to run the stock hood, go with f-body accessories. What intake are you planning on running? Anything based on the Camaro/Vette intake requires the use of the matching water pump. The truck intake can use either or water pumps(but seeing how your starting with a base truck motor just keep the stock intake, it works very well).

How much do you want to buture your car? None? you'll have to get your oil pan modified like S&P does... ATS has a snazzy oilpan thats coming out soon, but their too rich for your budget. If your fine with cutting and welding and that jazz.... BRP mounts only require a stock LS1 CAMARO oilpan/windage tray/pickup tube. Now you have to cut your firewall and have fun with intake clearance issues. Even if you want to make your own engine mounts so you do not have to cut your firewall and all that...You'll have to get a Camaro oil pan modified.

For tranny.... T-56... You'll have to "T-Cut" your tunnel. In other words, make it bigger then stock but cutting, opening, then adding more metal. Some guys can get away with bashing the living crap out of the tunnel, some can't. The stock truck harness will not work with the T-56 from what I know. If thats the case we have a few sponsors on the right of the page that can help you out with your harness needs.

From the info that I know.... You might be better off building your engine based off the iron 6.0l block, LS1 Camaro intake(non EGR), and I'm pretty sure the sensors just plug in if their Camaro/Vette/Truck...

Headers, no one currently makes a header that is worth putting on the LSX in a Chevelle. Shorties are worthless IMO. Just run a stock pair of 99-02 Camaro exhaust manifolds. They flow well and won't break your budget.(30-50 bucks) Stock truck manifolds will not work.

Any other questions, feel free to ask. If I don't have an answer someone in this section will for sure! We're a great bunch of guys in the hybrid section

-Matt

 

This GTO: http://www.lateral-g.net/members/campisi/ has a set of Kooks LTs does anyone know more about the setup?

 

Thanks guys. I don't have an engine yet, so what I am hearing is that I should focus on getting an F-body engine T56 set-up for the accessory drive and the computer. If I want to do the SLP 402 stroker I can just get the short block for $3500 and put it right under the F-body LS1, vice starting with a 6.0L block. That would give me the low-profile intake, the right accessory drive, computer, and it would look better to boot. Only disadvantage would be the 11.2:1 compression ratio I would get with the LS1 heads that have 65cc combustion chambers. Anyone know which year engines had the larger combustion chambers that would yield about 10.5:1 compression ratio? I would focus my attention on getting one of those engines. If the accessory drive works, this would save me some serious coin.
TJR

 

Oh - I forgot. Street and Performance states that the F-body accessory system (at least the 2002 model) will not work because of interference between the alternator and the steering box, and the A/C compressor would interfer with the A-Arm on the passenger side. I know their business is to sell accessory drives - so I take this with a grain of salt. If you all say the F-body accessory drive works, I would believe it. Anyone do this swap?

 

Ok, If you can make your own motor mounts then you will require NOTHING from S&P.. So save your money. Second, there is no firewall "hacking" or clearance problems that I found. And i have a set of Pacesetter longtubes that fit right in and look like they actually belong there. My engine is a factory f-body ls1.. Stock oil pan, alt location etc.. This is all in a 72 El Camino factory non a/c and been running for about a year and a half. If you would like more info you can pm me, I dont post to often..

 

Excellent information - thanks. I figured the interference was due to the S&P motor mounts, thus, requiring their expensive accessory drive brackets. Like I said, I know they are in the business of selling parts.
Anyone have a good design for motor mounts for a 1972 Chevelle that would allow stock LS1 F-body accessories to fit? I downloaded a design from somewhere - not sure where though...
Rinky

 

Another thought-
You don't suppose that the S&P motor mounts are required to place the engine in the required location to set the T56 correctly for easy fit? Most folks say that MAJOR tunnel surgery would be required for a T56 conversion, but S&P did it with no real cutting of the tunnel at all - just an 8" x 4" hole for the shifter. If the engine is placed to allow an unmodified oil pan and no accessory drive interference, would that place the T56 in a spot that would require major tunnel surgery?
Rinky

 

I will be able to answer you question on the tranny fitment in the next few weeks.. Just bought a t-56 and will be pulling the auto out tonight..

 

Tunnel cutting will be required. We've done more than a few into early A bodies, and they always need a good chunk sliced out to get the correct trans angle.

Tyler

 

can you buy the motor mounts to put at LS1 in an A-body chassis?

 

Well tranny tunnel has to be cut. It appears to me, that even if the engine/trans was moved forward like s&p mounts do, tunnel surgery would still be required.