Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Easiest Engine swaps into LS1?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 24, 2010 | 02:56 PM
  #1  
Ghostintheshell's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
Default Easiest Engine swaps into LS1?

I am wondering what engine swaps are the easiest.

LS6 is likely the easiest.

LS2 I understand is a little harder.

I have been searching the forums for awhile and haven't found any real definitive threads...
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2010 | 03:11 PM
  #2  
bayer-z28's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,085
Likes: 1
From: N. Falmouth MA
Default

The only time you should run into serious swap issues is with an LS7 or 9. The rest should have the same block dimensions, just different knock sensor placement, slightly different wiring or slightly different sensor placement.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2010 | 03:13 PM
  #3  
bayer-z28's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,085
Likes: 1
From: N. Falmouth MA
Default

If you do an LS7 or 9 you will have to basically start from scratch and have to find new springs for the vehicle. Better be good at fabrication just in case you have to move the steering rack or other components.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2010 | 03:42 PM
  #4  
Paul Bell's Avatar
That's MISTER MODERATOR
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,615
Likes: 65
From: NYC
Default

The only time you'll need a spring change is if you move to an iron block. The LS9 is pretty much a no-go because of it's height.

The LS2/3/7 has the 58x crank reluctor ring. Lingenfelter has a black box that'll convert the 58x signal to 24x so you'll be able to use your PCM, throttle body with cable and still have the gauge cluster work. The vehicle will think you still have the original engine.

Just about everything else will bolt up. Some of the sensors are in different locations.

The LS6 is the easiest. If you have the means, move to the LS7 but it's costly.

http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merc...&Category_Code=
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2010 | 06:05 PM
  #5  
bayer-z28's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,085
Likes: 1
From: N. Falmouth MA
Default

LS9 in a 4th Gen has actually been done a couple times. Check one of the two most recent GMHTP mags. It's got one featured in there, and one here; http://www.lsxtv.com/forum/mission-i...ered-2809.html.


Unless they are the same car. I've seen it done a couple times so far. Or at least read about it.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2010 | 07:12 PM
  #6  
Paul Bell's Avatar
That's MISTER MODERATOR
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,615
Likes: 65
From: NYC
Default

You'd need to drop the K-Frame like two inches and modify the engine mounts so it sits even further down from the cowl. It's so much work it's not worth the effort given the other power adders available that can match or exceed the power produced by the LS9. Not to mention the costly electronics package and intercooler stuff. GM did it as a show car/test mule but they have more resources than most posting here. Perhaps one day they'll offer a kit.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2010 | 10:19 PM
  #7  
libertyforall1776's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,129
Likes: 5
From: IL
Default

Anyone try a SLP ZL427 (LS7) crate engine?:
http://www.slponline.com/view_product.asp?P=12533M24
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2010 | 01:06 AM
  #8  
Paul Bell's Avatar
That's MISTER MODERATOR
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,615
Likes: 65
From: NYC
Default

WOOF that looks nice. I've eyeballed it before. I wonder what kind of power this package makes.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:04 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE