HELP!!! LS1 into 78 Camaro mid install issues
My car is in the shop on a lift with a 2004 GTO LS1 in it, mid install.
Problems that they have run into so far are ,
1. Alternator is sitting too low (or engine is) and is hitting the pitman arm so I can't turn 1 way. They think maybe an F-body alternator instead might work. Not sure yet, but I was told by Schitzo that a member here named MJLS1 got the GTO motor in with minor issues and the same GTO Alternator was fine in his swap into the same car. Here's a pic of his car with the different mounts from 1972 and earlier.
2. Passenger side stock manifolds flange hits framerail, AND sits right on top of the starter. I've had suggestions of heating up and making a dimple in the framerail. OR Street and Performance makes custom shorties for this that will work, but there's no guarantee. They have S+P"s headers in a 55 Chevy with a 78 Camaro front clip and they worked. Problem with mine is I'm putting 4" sidepipes on my car too......so no longtubes because I dont' want an "S" pipe pulling back to the primaries.
If anyone has any information or assistance I'd be THOROUGHLY appreciative because I have pretty much only a week to find resolutions for these 2 fitment issues. I thought maybe thicker motor mount plates would help RAISE the engine to avoid that pitman arm hitting the alternator....but I'm not sure if that's a good option or not.
Some pics.
This is a pic of the pass side stock Fbody manifold that hits the framerails
AND the starter as well. Not sure how to resolve this one other than a dimple in the framerail possibly, but it still sits right on top of the starter.

In this picture it shows the tight alternator area, but it also shows my old mounts, not the new ones I purchased so I'll have to ask the shop about that one.

These are the motor mounts I have purchased (with pads 4592) They also make the same kit that shifts the motor back 1" for clearance issues. I'm not sure if this would be better to get or not. Any opinions ??
Last edited by Aceshigh; Nov 9, 2006 at 05:32 AM.
I was told go 1/2" for a much better fit.
IT's a 2nd gen by the way, not a 3rd gen.
Anyone have this problem??? I'm trying to find a resolution ....these guys have done one of these swaps onto a 78 front clip, but they used the S+P plates.
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