Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
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Old Jul 16, 2006 | 03:49 PM
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Made the exhaust a structural member. All stainless. The mufflers slide forward and out and I have a set of straight pipes to slide in if appropriate. the lowest point is still the back of the trans.
The small tubing makes up the seat mounts. Finishing the floor and trans tunnel next weekend.

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Old Jul 17, 2006 | 08:54 AM
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Question Hmmmm...

I wonder why the auto makers don't do this?
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Old Jul 17, 2006 | 09:26 AM
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Vibrations ? Heat ? Noise ?
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Old Jul 17, 2006 | 10:57 AM
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If the engine and xmission are also not hard mounted to the frame, something will give when that engine torques one way or the other. I would imagine that this thing will vibrate like a ****! Nice work though.
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Old Jul 17, 2006 | 11:10 AM
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Yup, she's gonna rattle your bones for sure Not necessarily a bad thing, but you'll definitely feel it. Hope you have some flex in there as well, as engine vibration/rotation coupled with heat expansion of the exhaust will need some wiggle room.

Edit: Saw the mufflers slide, that takes care of one axis for sure
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Old Jul 17, 2006 | 03:40 PM
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Based on the feedback (thanks) I'm putting in a flex tube between the mufflers and the rails rather than a slip joint. I don't really mind the noise but the vibration can be destructive.
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Old Jul 17, 2006 | 03:58 PM
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if thats welded to the frame like it looks, you'll feel the exhaust thruout the car.... if its a hotrod, that might not be too bad... but i wouldnt do it if its a roadtrip/hwy car... make your butt go numb.. LOL.

btw, i THINK C4 vettes had some kind of hole in the frame crossmember that the exhaust went thru.. anyone know?
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Old Jul 17, 2006 | 05:13 PM
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Looks good. A 4-5" piece of mesh flex pipe should help dramatically with vibrations. Definitely looks like a good use of space.
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Old Jul 18, 2006 | 04:42 AM
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C2 vette's(63-67) & C3(68-82) had the holes in the cross member for the exhaust to go through. It was not solid mounted tho'! However the side mounted pipes basically were....
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Old Jul 18, 2006 | 07:00 AM
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Originally Posted by 67pete
C2 vette's(63-67) & C3(68-82) had the holes in the cross member for the exhaust to go through. It was not solid mounted tho'! However the side mounted pipes basically were....
Yup. it was C2 and C3.
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Old Jul 18, 2006 | 09:11 AM
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another problem: heat. that whole frame rail is going to get pretty hot. Can't run brake lines, fuel lines or wiring down them, and may run into thermal expansion problems causing the welds to crack.
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Old Jul 18, 2006 | 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Rodder
another problem: heat. that whole frame rail is going to get pretty hot. Can't run brake lines, fuel lines or wiring down them, and may run into thermal expansion problems causing the welds to crack.

good things to consider. definitely get the mesh flex-hose or you'll be replacing hardware and header gaskets left and right if not pipes. I don't think the heat will be a big problem with the frame though as there's only about a foot of exhaust pipe after it gets through the frame, even though it is relatively close to the engine. the frame will be a pretty big heat sink but I think it will stay cool enough...just don't mount any important hoses/wires close to the exhaust...I'm probly beating a dead horse, sorry.

looks like a pretty good idea for the room you have to work with there; I think I would've liked to make a structural/reinforced hole in the frame and float the pipe through there but your way may work really well and was a lot easier, let us know how it works a year from now!!
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Old Jul 22, 2006 | 09:34 PM
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Put expansion/vibration dampners joints in, finished the seat mount and started the trans tunnel floor pan.
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