penguin

So, I've got a 1986.5 Nissan Pickup (D21 Hardbody - 2.4L FI engine) and I was thinking to myself: how bada$$ would it be to toss an LS1 in there but leave it completely stock (and old looking) on the outside? Quiet mufflers, even, but with electric cutouts for the occasional "scare a bunch of girls" situation. Thing is, I know nothing about how much room an LS1 + T56 would need, or about stuff like the rear end - could I just toss on a 9" or 12 bolt in place of the nissan rear, or would I need a whole new differential + axle setup? It probably sounds like I know way too little to do a swap, and I do, but trust me when I say I learn by doing, and I do stuff by getting myself in WAY over my head.

G-Body

iTrader: (4)

I don`t have the dimensions for an LS1 but I do have them for the truck motor. I am attaching them. The LS1 is 3-4 inches shorter.

penguin

Just making sure - number in parentheses is inches, number not in parentheses is centimeters?

penguin

I measured this morning, and it would be a really tight fit, unless I do modifications to the current fan - I'm not sure what exactly I would do for cooling right now.

G-Body

iTrader: (4)

Yes the measurements in parenthesis are in inches.

G-Body

iTrader: (4)

How about cutting the core support and pushing the radiator further forward, or putting a pusher fan in front of the radiator.

penguin

I like the idea of a pusher fan, I never even thought about that (Pretty sad, cause I'm an expert at PC water cooling, which is basically just scaled down car cooling, and that's done all the time).

G-Body

iTrader: (4)

They are not as efficient as a puller fan, but whatever makes it fit. I cut my heaterbox and set the valvecover about an inch inside it, a little fibreglass and no one even realizes what I did.

TJ

iTrader: (10)

there is a guy local in my area with a 92 ish body with an LT1. he has a custom tubular radiator support that bolts in. he said it allows him to install and remove the engine without hassle.

under pressure

iTrader: (13)

I think you would enjoy the challenges you encounter while doing the swap. You would truely be the Nissan pickup authority when you are finished.

halfprice5

I've done a lot of things to my 89 nissan with more to come. I had a Esslinger head turbo ford in it with a t-5 and the nissan v6 rear(as strong as a 9" but no gear selection. I also have mustang drop spindles & a rack & pinion steering up front. I'm doing a 4 link and a 9" from a craftman truck now with a 01 Camero LS1 & t-56, full roll cage, tube comtrol arms in the front with coil overs.

Whoever gets the ls1 in there first take good pics and share.