Hey y’all,
I have been having a 1998 TransAm that a tree fell on and totaled out a couple years ago. Parked it in the barn and left it.
Has the 5.7L that has 38,000 miles on it.

I was thinking of putting the motor in an old GMC manual trans pickup.

I really don’t want to put it in like it is. Was checking out these in something like a 383 stoker. Seems pretty cool. If with all the machining, heads, crank, cam stroker kit, balancing, you know, all the fixings, can be done with an approx $8,000 range, I could live with that.

I have a good machine shop to work with, the I will do the final assembly.

I like the six speed, but would really like to use a 4 speed I have. This is just for local town to town street use only.

Just looking for insight on a stroked LS1 for this project. I took on a motor for my friends Nova and it turned out very nice for being out of it for quite some years. Only thing I have done over the years is keep my boat with a fresh pair of 8.1L’s every few years and every now and then take on a Cummins or Powerstroke. I use to be an industrial diesel engine mechanic by trade. This will be my first aluminum block engine. Hope to do ok with it.

Well, thanks

 

If the engine is that low of miles and in good shape I'd just put a cam in it or heads/cam and make 400-450whp. Down the line you could add some displacement etc.

 

The 4 speed can be used on the LS engine and a 383 is doable but the cost of going to a balanced rotating assembley for that 3.898 bore just dosen't make sense.

 

I'd leave it as is with that low of miles and do minor mods, unless you just like blowing money..

 

IIRC, the '98 LS1 blocks have thinner sleeves than the later blocks and can't take much of a boring. Would this engine be more valuable to someone replacing a blown stock motor on an F-bod or C5? It might be worth selling this and buying something cheaper that can built-up further. Not sure if a b/s is needed to get decent power out of these, H/C/I/TB/LTs should get mid 400s pretty easy. 38K the bottom end is probably still in good shape. But then again, if your boat requires twins, then $$ is probably no barrier.

 

Ok, now I can understand why I do not see too much on these LS1’s. This is something that has just landed on the thought table. The car has been sitting for some time and didn’t won’t to waste the engine. I was more concerned with having a nice basically fresh block to start out with, but I will do a little research on what I can get for this whole powertrain. It’s has the automatic. Might luck out and get enough to offset the price to buy a new block. I have bought some 8.1L iron blocks from Dart. Would that be a company to look into another aluminum block. I’ll stay in the SBC, but I loved those big blocks in the younger days. A lot more unjustified money going that route. Just want to build something to have a little fun in the sticks with and my last son in the house. Thanks for your input, greatly appreciated.

 

Understandable, that’s why I made the post. I want to make a good decision. This is the only LS engine I have owned and hell I have the LS1, what they up to now, I seen like LS7 somewhere I believe. This is the first one, figured there is improvement in the higher series models. Thanks

 

The LS series…GEN3 and GEN4…has come and gone. It’s been out of service since 2014 mostly, with overstock going into work vans up til 2020. The LT series….GEN5…came on the scene in 2014 and is about to be replaced by the GEN6 stuff here soon.
I recommend that you invest in the project with your last son still around. He won’t forget the experience and it will teach him good skills. Use the LS1 and auto, along with the ECM to operate the engine. You’ll need to use the harness and upgrade your trucks fuel system to handle the required 58 lbs of fuel pressure…it’s all easy and will be a fun ride when done. Lots of guys here to help with questions. DO IT!!

 

100% in agreement with #8 post with the exception on using the automatic.

 

01CamaroSSTx

On the LS1, it has been sitting for a couple years so it will be opened up no mater what for inspection if it is going to be used. I am still researching possible power options for it.

I am curious about your thoughts on using a 6 speed over the 4 speed for the LS world. I have a couple of options for the rear differential that I have already. I have few Ford 9” differentials. I believe one has 3:80’s and I know the others are 4:11’s. Two of the housings are narrowed enough to tuck about 15” tires. Would these gears be suitable for a 6 speed? Seems the 6 speed would be happier in 2:73 to 3:33 range. Keep in mind a 5 speed when I was messing around on the street was called a 4 speed with overdrive and was like brand new to American cars. I’m just looking at what I have kept and can use. If I can use them with satisfactory results, that gives more money for the engine bay. Let me know if you do not mind. Another reason is I have two 4 speeds already also.

It does look like the LS1 might not be a motor for what I’m looking into. I’m looking for high 400’s to 500 hp. Which I know more displacement would be required and it’s looking like the LS1 might not make a good stroker candidate. I thought it could be, but that’s why I’m on here and it’s looking like it can be done, but might not be the correct way to go. If so, I will opt for an iron 4.125” bore new block and start there.

Like I said, this idea just hit the table fresh, so this is just the research to make sure I don’t waste a bunch of money for a bomb. Was hoping this engine would be a candidate, but if not, it can help by providing a little financial support for the project.

Thank you.

 

I guess I cant understand why anyone would want to open up 38,000 mile LS. That mileage it's barely broken in yet...

Another vote for keeping the 6 speed. I drive a couple of 60's-70's LS/6 speed swapped rigs and couldn't imagine going backwards to an old, antiquated manual 4 speed.

If it's a father son project, don't make it so complicated and lengthy he gets bored waiting on $hit like getting a stroker kit and waiting for the machine shop to get it done...project creep...keep it simple...

 

CattleAC

Oh man, as for father son projects, me and him just finished an almost 2 year complete off frame build of an ‘08 Ford F-350. He got to even help do the block machining and assemble a Powerstroke engine, rebuild two differentials, transfer case and a ZF6 transmission. He was hands on everything but the paint. Complicated is what you make it, but a 6.4 powerstroke is about that almost. So this isn’t nothing, I promise.

As for opening the motor up, it would be half *** to do an off frame freshen up and and paint on a 82 GMC truck, and through a used engine in it that’s been sitting for almost 3 years. As for the motor, it’s in my car, so I know what it can do and it is not what I am looking for. I wish it was, but it’s not.
I have 2 truck with six speeds, I love all those gears, but I’m not sure I want to shift 6 gears getting down on it. My friend will whoop my *** before I get out of third.
The differentials and transmissions I have are old school I guess, but they sent 4000 pounds 1320 feet in under 11 seconds back in their day.

This is going to be a new truck when it’s done. We live in the shop, there is plenty going on in there. It’s not like it’s going to be his, he is the owner of that ‘08 F-350. He wanted that truck and drug me through creep, he’s helping and he cannot wait.

If you read to respond that I’m going to bore my son to death, then you read how much power I’m interested in, correct?

I respect you opinion though, thanks man.

 

I like Muncie 4 speeds but like the 6 speed even more. With a 6 speed you can still get down on it in a drag race and have those remaining gears for cruising. Truly the best of both worlds. I have a 4.10 gear in the S60 and I think it's the perfect balance for street/strip.

 

Yup the T56 with them two Over Drive Gears are nice. I like rowing gears and getting good gas mileage also.

 

01CamaroSSTx

The T56 is a monster compared to an old 4 speed.

No problems staying together when 12 to 15 inch tires grab, repeatedly? Any modifications needed for around 500 hp beating on it?

Wandering where that shift tower would place on a ‘82 GMC. I don’t mind fabbing the hump. We’ll mock everything up and cut accordingly.

It will get some bucket seats, but that thing looks like it would come up through a bench seat. Ha!

I’ll look into what I can get on for around here. Thanks

 

Well if budget allows you should look at upgraded versions of the T56. The stock T56 from what I've heard is not going to like the abuse 450+ ft lbs of torque. It may take it for a little while but if you're gonna be beating on it then look to have it built to take abuse. RPM Transmissions and Tick Performance are places to look for modified T56's

 

01CamaroSSTx

yeh man, I will have to put that off. Maybe something to consider later on. I would have to get the T56 Magnum and that is about $4000+ and would need a shift tower forward relocation kit to put it in a truck. That’s another $500+. It was a good thought for the moment. One thing for sure though, the T56 Magnum would laugh at 500 horses like it’s nothing. Very nice.

 

Not an 82 but on my 68 C10 with a LS6/T56 magnum. I added a "high hump" trans cover to make room for the T56. Left the T56 shifter in the rear position. Worked fine.
Pic before carpet. I used a LS7 clutch and pressure plate. 2002 Camaro slave cylinder. Wilwood 3/4" master.

 

LS1 TJ

Man that is very nice. I had a ‘67 Fleet with a 327 in high school. Complete with gun rack and 30-30 and a pump hanging on the back window, ha.

My funds will not are not there for a T56 Magnum this year. I think the LS1 is going to miss this project. I don’t think it will achieve my power goals. I am going to go with a Dart Gen III SHP LS Next Skirted iron block with 4.125 bore and go for 427 cid. 500 wont be no problem to achieve. Might have go for another 50+, ha.
That and body off, chassis upgrades and reinforcements plus new paint will eat it up.
she will be a basic truck though. Manual steering, electric water pump, and none A/C.

You got a good thing happening over there though.

 

getting rid of a t56 for a crusty old 4 speed is one of the dumbest things ive ever heard lol