It's finally time to decide.
 

I have been mulling over so many different combinations of motors and power adders my head is about to spin. First, I hate all things technical, and I'm thinking about just going old school with a new motor and yes (just put my flame proof suit on) carb.

So far I have talked to Shafiroff about a 434cid with 625 NA horsepower. I'm basically posting this to find out what all I will need to convert my car back to old school.
Need:
K-Member, Headers, Fuel System, Ignition system, may have to have the distributor on the front. Anyone made the big switch that can help me out?? I already have a TH400/12 bolt etc etc, so don't bother with anything in the driveline. Just things pertinent to a sbc.

TIA, J.

You can use a front motor plate, which I have in stock, instead of changing K-member. You will need headers and depending on the heads you use I can give you some part numbers. You will need an extternal regulator for low pressure if you are using a carb. What fuel system is on the car now?? As far as ignition use a MSD 7AL3 or a 7531 digital. You can run the distributor in the rear but I would reccommend a crank trigger which will probably come on the motor. If need be I can send you all the pics you want on the conversion.

I've been considering the same exact thing. I can't see spending all kinds of money on LSX combos right now. Shit is just to expensive. I was looking at a Shafiroff 555 or 598 to run competitive in our Quick Street program.

Madman: With a motor plate set up and a good amount of HP, a mid plate will be needed too? How much of a pain in the ass is it to put a mid plate in these cars?

I have the midplates also for these motors. The midplates take a little more fab work.

Right now I have a Walbro 255 with stock lines, obviously I will need to upgrade to a sumped tank with a large pump and lines. I might put a simple plate nitrous system on the motor (can't live without a bottle in my car) for a little extra ace in the whole horsepower.

I'm gonna have a motor pulling party at my house sometime over the next month, and I'm gonna take my original LS1 apart and try to find out what happened to it. Then its off to the local guys that want to buy it. No more computer, no more electronic boxes and constant engine codes. Old school autometer gauges in the dash, race gas in the tank, and no software headaches. Sure, I won't be as big and bad as the 8 second turbo cars. But I don't have the $30k to build what I really wanted to do, plus I only have a 6pt rollbar and don't want a monkey cage in my car.

Better to have it running and having fun, then to let it sit for two more years waiting on the cash (and possible divorce) for it to all happen. I will call you about the stuff I need Brian. Right now, its removal and inspection. This winter its acquisition and installation.

Give me a call. I will take care of you!!

madman ive got a question regarding your motor plates... do you have the dimensions for installing the plates as to where they mount to the frame rails so i wouldnt have to install the motor and trans to find out. I ask because its gonna be awhile till i get the tranny and what not for my car, il have the motor first and would like to have the brackets welded in prior to the car going to paint.


thanks,

-john

A crank trigger would definately be the way to go.. There is no way in hell that you can get the distributor out if something inside it was to malfunction. Just buy a crab style msd distributor (gutless) and a crank trigger setup and you are good to go!

A motor plate would definately be the ticket over swapping kmembers as well..

oh yeah.. Shafiroff is the man!!!!

Good to see you back on the board Fast! Was wondering what happened to the 'maro..

Derek

You can remove the distributor from a SBC on these cars. You have to cut the cowl anyway for clearance so the distributor comes right out.

Madman:
I would like to see pics of this swap in a late model F-body. (emial them to jdj2810@aol.com) I have a 18 degree 368ci SBC from a few years back that has been sitting in the back of the shop for a long time. I could easily unload all of my LS1 drivetrain components and buy a full tilt Th400 and set up the SBC with the fogger it was built for. PM me the basic rundown of parts that would be required and a approximate price for the swap. I can see my 98 Z28 going from a low 11 second cam only car to a low 9 second SBC bruiser.

Here are some of my 427 15* motor. Basically you need motor plates, custom headers, ignition and fuel system.

And what are most of you guys doing for the gauge cluster? I'll be using some autometer gauges in there and would like to have a clean looking install.

Are there any plates made for the cluster area?

Oh yeah. I see a nasty setup coming my way...

I make the cluster with Autometer gauges out of aluminum. I will see if I have pics.

Madman,
ive got a question regarding your motor plates... do you have the dimensions for installing the plates as to where they mount to the frame rails so i wouldnt have to install the motor and trans to find out. I ask because its gonna be awhile till i get the tranny and what not for my car, il have the motor first and would like to have the brackets welded in prior to the car going to paint.

I dont install them that way. You really need a bare block and a trans to locate eveything. If you want them I can give them but I wouldnt trust the setup.