Ls1 into a 3rd Gen
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: England
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,660
Likes: 14
From: England
Don’t really want to spend time researching something and reading a 100 threads to only find out what one or two posts may cover.
All I’m after is a little info on taking a 3rd gen probably a 5.0 Camaro manual and fitting a Ls1.
Is it a straight forward swap or is it fairly complex requiring lots or parts and modifications.
Example – swap a LS2 into a 99 Trans Am is a pretty straight forward swap.
Fitting a LS7 to Honda accord is different level of complexity.
I’m just looking for a cheap option to make a 3rd gen nicer to drive, faster and probably better mpg for daily duties so I can keep my current z28 for the weekends.
BTW – I’ve got a TR7 V8 so I’ve done engine swaps as it started out as a 2.0 litre with a 4 speed tranny.
Originally Posted by crainholio
If using the search button is beyond your capabilities, I'd say that the actual swap is something you should avoid.
Originally Posted by 300bhp/ton
Hey thanks dude - oh you want your knife back?
Man, I really hate to cut this thread short considering the belly laughs that I've gotten from it, but maybe this will help - ThirdGen.org (aka TGO) has an entire forum devoted to swapping in LT1 & LS1 engines into these cars. Read the sticky post at the top of the page, & I'm sure you'll find that most, if not all, of your questions will have been addressed.And if it seems that we're a little bit testy about using the search button, it's only because this question comes up about once a week... Starting out with "Sorry guys didn't search" is probably the worst way to initiate a thread.
Post up some pics, both of your TR7 & the Camaro!
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: England
Man, I really hate to cut this thread short considering the belly laughs that I've gotten from it, but maybe this will help - ThirdGen.org (aka TGO) has an entire forum devoted to swapping in LT1 & LS1 engines into these cars. Read the sticky post at the top of the page, & I'm sure you'll find that most, if not all, of your questions will have been addressed.
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TGO sticky didn't have anything on it? This is what he was talking about, this sticky has all the basic info on what it takes to do the swap.
http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/lt...want-swap.html
http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/lt...want-swap.html
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Ill just post some of my experiences so far in my LS1 swap into my iroc-z.
Its been easy & Hard.
The thirdgen camaro is the closest car to anything that had an LS1 in it from the factory. The car shares the same chassis from the back of the front subframes back. The k-member is located in the same place which means the stock driveshaft is re-usable. The thirdgen transmission tunnel fits perfect with the T-56 or 4L60e, unlike older cars where the transmission tunnel must be beat to hell, or re-made. Mounting the engine is simple, spohn makes engine mounts & crossmembers for these motors, i actually custom made my own mounts & modified my own crossmember for the swap. There are a ton of bolt in parts, the thirdgen rad can be re-used with an LS1 upper rad hose, and a gates lower rad hose, intake would need to be custom made, but their easy to make anyways, steam hose can be directed into the thirdgen rad.
One of the hardest parts is exhaust, im going to either put manifolds on, modify some hedman headers or buy stainless works headers. All require a custom fabricated y-pipe which is not as easy as it sounds.
Wiring, i just couldnt do my self, i had a buddy help me with the wiring in exchange for a old 4L60e that i had here, works out in the end, teh car is wired.
Sheldo
Its been easy & Hard.
The thirdgen camaro is the closest car to anything that had an LS1 in it from the factory. The car shares the same chassis from the back of the front subframes back. The k-member is located in the same place which means the stock driveshaft is re-usable. The thirdgen transmission tunnel fits perfect with the T-56 or 4L60e, unlike older cars where the transmission tunnel must be beat to hell, or re-made. Mounting the engine is simple, spohn makes engine mounts & crossmembers for these motors, i actually custom made my own mounts & modified my own crossmember for the swap. There are a ton of bolt in parts, the thirdgen rad can be re-used with an LS1 upper rad hose, and a gates lower rad hose, intake would need to be custom made, but their easy to make anyways, steam hose can be directed into the thirdgen rad.
One of the hardest parts is exhaust, im going to either put manifolds on, modify some hedman headers or buy stainless works headers. All require a custom fabricated y-pipe which is not as easy as it sounds.
Wiring, i just couldnt do my self, i had a buddy help me with the wiring in exchange for a old 4L60e that i had here, works out in the end, teh car is wired.
Sheldo
I was under the impression this link was in the thirdgen.org FAQ and that I had posted it on ls1tech in all threads here for people asking about putting at LS1 in a 3rdgen in the last month, so doing a search would return it pretty easy.
I guess I was wrong.
http://team3rdgen.com/modules.php?name=3rdGenLS1
I guess I was wrong.
http://team3rdgen.com/modules.php?name=3rdGenLS1
mine was an easy swap. I can do wiring my self so that was not an issue but for alot of guys your better off having the harness made and or getting help.
the k-member really only needs to be "modded" if you plan to use the ls1 a/c.
used spohn motor mounts, I made my own y-pipe and trans mount. I used the 2002 manifolds.
I used the t-5 master cyl with the ls1 line and slave.
everything hooked up fine like the cruise. I guess a/c is the hardest part but was not that hard at all.
I just spent most of my time making sure everything looked like it belonged under the hood.
everyone who saw it told me if they didn't know better they would have thought the ls1 was there from the factory.
the k-member really only needs to be "modded" if you plan to use the ls1 a/c.
used spohn motor mounts, I made my own y-pipe and trans mount. I used the 2002 manifolds.
I used the t-5 master cyl with the ls1 line and slave.
everything hooked up fine like the cruise. I guess a/c is the hardest part but was not that hard at all.
I just spent most of my time making sure everything looked like it belonged under the hood.
everyone who saw it told me if they didn't know better they would have thought the ls1 was there from the factory.
