1955 56 57 Conversions Post here
#21
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dsrour
Were you asking me?
I don't have any harness for the LS yet. I suspect I will purchase a new harness. I'm debating between finding a used one and having it modified, vs. a complete new one. Would cost a little less to go with the used one...if it can be found.
Were you asking me?
I don't have any harness for the LS yet. I suspect I will purchase a new harness. I'm debating between finding a used one and having it modified, vs. a complete new one. Would cost a little less to go with the used one...if it can be found.
#23
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I also wanted to throw my name in the hat. I have a '56 2-DR sedan and plan to put a 5.3L in it. I'm still a long ways from that point but will follow this thread.
Jeff
Jeff
#24
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Originally Posted by HioSSilver
I just tried to fit a ls1 with the covette oil pan in a 56 chevy. It won't work, looks like the best bet is a f-bod oil pan.
I also see that my 8" Power Booster will not work in it's stock position if I don't have remote mounted coils, and want to put on the covers. I'm ordering a bracket that raises the booster by 3" or so.
S&P modifies an oil pan to work in this conversion. They told me to get a 97-02 Camaro or Trans Am oil pan. They need to modify the pickup tube too.
Drat...that adds another several hundred dollars to the cost.
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Hi guys - I"m putting 99 Ls1 and 4L60E into my 57 2 door hardtop.......using the stock frame..!! I have modified all the following to date.....frame crossmember to allow using the standard f-body a/c and alt positions, rack / pinion strg, oil pan and pickup tube, drivers side frame to allow using standard Bassini truck headers, rad support to allow using engine driven fan system (I hate electric fans..lol), a/c lines and 4 "air inlet, Becool rad and condensor, 2" dropped spindles, rear spring frame pocket kit, Walbro 255 inline fuel pump, corvette filter/regulator, Ididit tilt column, enlarged OEM fuel tank / eliminated spare tire well, and probably lots more - This project is killin me..!!! LOL I have done all the work myself cause I dont have a huge budget like some lucky guys do..!! But trust me......it has been an extreme PITA..!!! Some time I will figure out how to post pics ...... right now I spend all my time in the garage....LOL
Good luck to all those like me.....born poor, but willing to leap tall buildings to have an LS1 tri-five..! Dwight K.
Good luck to all those like me.....born poor, but willing to leap tall buildings to have an LS1 tri-five..! Dwight K.
#26
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Doing it yourself provides lots of satisfaction. I even learned how to paint,and in fact, that provided funding for mine. Only thing I didn't do was the interior.
I'm actually on my 3rd rebuild/project. I've had it since 1983. Although this isn't a complete restoration this time, putting in this LS1 is quite a project.
I'm actually on my 3rd rebuild/project. I've had it since 1983. Although this isn't a complete restoration this time, putting in this LS1 is quite a project.
#27
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I'm putting a ls1 and 6 speed in a 55 210 sedan. Here are a few things I've learned so far:
Pulleys - The S&P pulley prices scared me into keeping my vette alternator/power steering bracket for now. The alternator is up high on the drivers side and my future a/c compressor will be high on the passengers side. For those of you are just getting started, you need to know that the f-body and vette pulleys and accessory brackets do not line up the same. The vette belt system runs about 3/4 inch closer tot the engine.
Headers - I found only (2) sources for headers, S&P and Patriot headers. I got a really good price on the Patriot headers, so I went with them. They are coated, mid-length, and have 1 3/4 primaries. They fit fine with my 605 p/s box and S&P motor mounts. If anyone wants to keep their stock f-body manifolds, I think they will also work with or without a 605 ps box.
Oil pan - I had S&P modify an f-body pan and pickup tube. If you got this route, be sure that the pickup tube is bent correctly so that it will fit all the way up into the oil pump. I had to send mine back for a re-bend.
I currently have the body off the frame but I plan on making some serious progress this fall.
Pulleys - The S&P pulley prices scared me into keeping my vette alternator/power steering bracket for now. The alternator is up high on the drivers side and my future a/c compressor will be high on the passengers side. For those of you are just getting started, you need to know that the f-body and vette pulleys and accessory brackets do not line up the same. The vette belt system runs about 3/4 inch closer tot the engine.
Headers - I found only (2) sources for headers, S&P and Patriot headers. I got a really good price on the Patriot headers, so I went with them. They are coated, mid-length, and have 1 3/4 primaries. They fit fine with my 605 p/s box and S&P motor mounts. If anyone wants to keep their stock f-body manifolds, I think they will also work with or without a 605 ps box.
Oil pan - I had S&P modify an f-body pan and pickup tube. If you got this route, be sure that the pickup tube is bent correctly so that it will fit all the way up into the oil pump. I had to send mine back for a re-bend.
I currently have the body off the frame but I plan on making some serious progress this fall.
#28
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Any of you with a '55-'56, where are you putting the computer? I was thinking about putting it under the passenger fender, on the front of the cowl, but I'm thinking it may not fit there well.
I've heard some put it under teh passenger seat, but that requires a large hole in teh firewall, according to Speartech, to get the plugs on the wires through. Not wanting to do that.
Curious what others are doing.
I've heard some put it under teh passenger seat, but that requires a large hole in teh firewall, according to Speartech, to get the plugs on the wires through. Not wanting to do that.
Curious what others are doing.
#32
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My computer is beneath the passenger side seat, hole is just below the transmission access plate.
http://home.comcast.net/~pj.rodgers/...t_seats_05.jpg shows the cover over the harness.
http://home.comcast.net/~pj.rodgers/...t_seats_05.jpg shows the cover over the harness.
#33
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Yes I did post a similar thread in generic conversion but thought this was the better place to post. The 57 body is back on the frame after almost six months. The color is 'Nautical blue' a Lexus color, I think it will work. The wheels and tires were of concern but they fit with room to spare. A lot more to do but it feels good to have it together again. Jim
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Originally Posted by jim57
Yes I did post a similar thread in generic conversion but thought this was the better place to post. The 57 body is back on the frame after almost six months. The color is 'Nautical blue' a Lexus color, I think it will work. The wheels and tires were of concern but they fit with room to spare. A lot more to do but it feels good to have it together again. Jim
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David
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Alright!!!
The 57 is back home from the paint shop. They put the body back on the frame, did the body work and painted it. The color is awsome!!! Lots of work left for me to do. Motivation is high at this point.
Jim
The 57 is back home from the paint shop. They put the body back on the frame, did the body work and painted it. The color is awsome!!! Lots of work left for me to do. Motivation is high at this point.
Jim
Last edited by jim57; 10-07-2006 at 08:57 PM.
#36
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Ewingr, I am also installing a LS1/T56 in a 56 150 2 door post. I am mounting the computer under the passenger side fender. I welded a bracket to the fire wall and drilled and taped it to bolt the factory computer bracket in place. The stock length wiring harness has just enough slack to pass inder the battery and to the top of the motor also the computer is mostly hidden by the fender.
#39
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Hi all, got a 57 2dr post a few days ago, already searching for an ls1 doner. If this helps, Car Creations sells the ac bracket, not as fancy but way cheaper than S&P's (the only other one I could find). Also found headers here, http://www.thermaltechcoatings.com/new_headers.htm, an LS1 header for the tri-fives, never heard of the company but price is right...again... cheaper tha S&P (not hard to do). I do have a question...I have no mounts of any kind in my car, just the crossmember, any suggestions on economical motor mounts/brackets set up? Also, what radiator works best? I see Dwight used Becool....
#40
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Originally Posted by ewingr
Any of you with a '55-'56, where are you putting the computer? I was thinking about putting it under the passenger fender, on the front of the cowl, but I'm thinking it may not fit there well.
Curious what others are doing.
Curious what others are doing.
I'm building a 58 Chevy truck and just got a LS1 with a 4L60E trans for next to nothing and its going in the Truck. How do you find out what year these engines are?