beach70

Hey all!
Been lurking awhile trying to figure out what to do to my 70 chevelle.
My initial plans were to go with the 502 Ramjet.
I've finally seen the light and decided to go for the LS swap.

I have read many posts watching everyone's builds, now for mine.

What engine should I start with?
I want a T56 as well.

Do I look for a take out ls1/2 and use the factory wiring?
or
wait for the ls3 crate (EFI or crate with manifold and carb)
or this one from evil-bay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LS3-T...spagenameZWDVW

Thanks in advance for the input.

Budget for engine/trans/wiring/computer around 10K

67rsss

iTrader: (4)

It cost us $12K to put an LS1/T56 (used) into our 67 Camaro. For your budget, I don't think you should touch a crate LS3. I would look for a pullout with trans, harness, computer (and driveshaft yoke for the trans). LS2 would be cool, but a late LS1 with the LS6 intake is pretty nice.

flywheel

iTrader: (2)

Im going to use an 03' van 6.0l/4l80E I got from one of our wrecked work vans w/54K on it, for my 71 chevelle..... I was planning on a FI 454 w/200r4 b4.

Rick

1970-Cloned

iTrader: (1)

Yes it is 10K but the things that I always forget about (the minor details). Those things can eat you alive.

Motormounts
Headers
Fuel lines
Fuel Tank
Drive Shaft
other things not thought about

You start adding them up and it ends up costing a lot more than antcipated.

If you do buy this get the vette pulleys. They are better for a chevelle than the Z28 ones.

bczee

iTrader: (12)

Welcome to the A-Body gang.. As far as an engine.. anyone will do, but that all depends on what your goal is as far as HP/TQ. As 67rsss said.. it can run you a lot of $$$ if you want to have to have a high HP engine with a lot of show parts.. then again you might be able to build a budget install for a few thousand if you are handy and know how to score parts on the cheap.

So.. what is your goals and how big of a budget do you have.

beach70

power: 450 hp and tq (more is always better)

budget around 10k

beach70

any more thoughts on what to start with?

It seems that take outs with a six speed are pretty high and you get a 40,000 mile engine that some beat the *(&^! out of!

Engine from builder or crate?

Anyone out there that if they had to do it over again would have just gone with a non LS crate 454 or 502?

1970-Cloned

iTrader: (1)

If you already have a big block then a 502 Ram jet will definately be cheaper, you can reuse the pulleys, headers and minimal fabrication.

I had a 454 big block but I couldn't stomach paying 10K for a RamJet502 that was going to get 12 mpg at best. The power is awesome, but gas is not ever going to get cheaper (unless mr. fusion is invented). I got an LS2 (engine, harness, computer, pulleys, no tranny) out of a GTO for a deal, about 4K and it has 5,000 miles on it. I will probably be right around 10K or so for the swap. I installed a comp cams XR265 that will give the engine some extra power in the range you are looking for. I hope to get 20mpg when finished on the highway. I expects a little better but overall I will be happy with that as long as the drivability is perfect.

Back to your question, I don't know yet for sure if I will regret the LSX swap, I will tell you in a few months when I have the car running.

Good luck on your decision.

1970-Cloned

iTrader: (1)

You need to find a take out engine off ebay or on craigslist from a individual and not a company. It took me three months to find a deal, luckily I work at a job were I can browse ebay several times a day, (I buy and sell Cisco hardware for my company on ebay). When I purchased my LS2 it had only been on ebay for about and hour, I called the guy (his phone number was on the auction) and I closed the deal up. You can't expect to score a deal from a salvage yard. They are in business for one thing, profit just like any other business. They sell for what people are willing to pay. Another thing too is if you buy from an individual and you get a damaged engine then the deal may not be that good. I got lucky, I have done the compression test and the engine looks so new that I can't image that there is anything wrong with it. Plus I have now installed that cam and turned the engine over and it has not outside physical damage. I could find out that after it is in the car that something else is wrong. So you need to make a purchase that you feel comfortable with.

TT402LS1

iTrader: (5)

A Viper trans is is the strongest, and will line up with the stock consol.

Ron

bczee

iTrader: (12)

After a year of driving my swap.. I have no regrets with starting this without any prior knowledge of the Gen III/IV engine or even EFI..

Great power from these engine and even with 4.11 gears I still get 23+ at freeway speeds all day long !

Putting the engine in is not much harder that any other swap no a days.. they are almost a common swap to do.. With this Forum.. you can find all of your answer if you ask your question right !

Good Luck..

beach70

Thanks for all your input.
99% sure i'll go with a GenIII/IV.
I'll just keep looking for the right deal on a take out.

69chvelle

iTrader: (11)

Don't give up looking for a deal. It took me a couple of years to find a good deal, but I ended up buying a whole car for less than most people buy the motor for. There was a post in the for sale forum that someone was selling a camaro shell with a motor and A4 for like 3K, but it was in California I think.