Hey im HIghly considering putting a 427 LS7 Like the ones in a 07 C6 Zo6..

Its gonna be a M6...Not much or no body has a LS7 in Lt1 body Trans am so it would be a good project!!

HOw hard is it gonna be??

Should i do it???

Is it worth it?

How should the whole project cost??

Or Should i go with a LS2 swap?

 

The engine would be worth more than the car unfortunately. Therefore, it probably isn't "worth it". Figure an easy $15K to get it installed and running.

Short list:
LS7 engine $$$
headers
new transmission and bellhousing
clutch and hydraulics
computer
wiring harness
different gauges in dash (LS1 f-body)
fuel pump upgrade
belt-driven accessories $$$
computer tuning

Honestly, it would be better to sell the car and start with an LSX f-body if you just have to have an LS7 f-body. There are fewer things to change then.

 

1st question. How much money can you spend?

Plan on spending $20-25K doing all the work yourself.

A more cost effective way would be to install a '99-02 Fbody LS1 wiring harness/PCM into your car and then build up a 416ci L92 based stroker (4.065" bore block with 4" crank/L92 heads/L76 intake).

-Mark

 

I dont think im gonna sell my LT1 trans am

so Do yall think i Should just go with a Ls2 conversion??

 

Any i have $10000

 

do a stock ls1 conversion..have fun cam only can get you in the 10's then a little 100 shot youll hve a mid 10 second reliable car...then build ls2 blco k on the side with a 402 or something...swap it all over and go rolling...

 

so when u put an ls1 with a cam in an 93-97 f body you have a 10 second car? i need to get me one of them!

 

i think the ls2 can only be used in cars that it came in from the factory. I think the cam sensor or something makes it incompatible.
You could probably do a LQ9 swap though. Check out last months Car Craft. They did a 500+ hp truck 6.0 motor for >6,000.

 

That is incorrect, you can put an LS2 into an original LS1 equipped vehicle without much issue. They make adapter wiring harnesses for the sensors for this. Gotta use the LS1 oil pan though.

 

If you can transplant a LS1 into something, there is no reason a LS2 won't...

 

I said no for the simple reason that the motor is worth more than the car. It would be cool as hell, but you could easily spend less on a built motor to compete with the LS7 power level.

 

...well theres alot of cam only ls1 cars out there...i think the lt1 body are lighter due to not ahveing the extra wiring...and other options like tcs extra speakers, bigrer brakes? even if not a properly setup cam only ls1 would run mid 10's..100 shot would ahve a reliable 10 second car

 

The trans is the same Borg Warner T56 that was offered from 93 to 02 so a new bell housing, clutch, & flywheel (unless the LS1 and LT1 have the same bell housing pattern then its just a new clutch and fly wheel).

97-02 wiring harness and ecm + LS1 to LS2 wiring extension.
97-02 engine mounts
LSx based motor of your choice (LS1,LS2,LS6, L92, LS4, LS7, L92, LQ4, LQ9).
97-02 Fbody LS pan (not vette or truck LS pan but fbody pan).
97-02 fbody headers (stock, shorties, or LT's) ... LT ftw!!!
97-02 front springs (due to weight change, if you go with an aluminum block). You would probably be able to keep your original front springs if you go with an iron LS block.

Questions...
Will the LT's accessories work with a LSx engine (ie AC compressor, power steering, alternator, etc)?
The water pump is LSx type (thats a given) but what about the rest.

Stock, OEM replacement or aftermarket fuel pump for a conversion like this. Fbody based ls's did have a return line on the fuel system, did the LT's have that?

 

I think you have your years messed up for F-bodys. F-bodys first got LS-1 in 98 not 97.

 

cant use the lt1 six speed, the input shaft is different, and the front cover of the trans doesnt have provisions for the slave/throw bearing

 

A friend of mine did the same thing, and Cam only with a Stall and Gears he is in the 10's, the Engine is all stock besides that Cam.

I am dropping a Iron Block 402 Stroker with the L76/L92 setup in my 95 Camaro. I built the Harness, got a 02 F-body PCM, and now I am putting it all together soon. I got the Compression Ratio about 10.8:1, so it's going to be a good runner. I am shooting for 10's NA with a 3600 Stall, 26" slicks and 3.73's, all in a 3250lb car after it's done.

 

If anything the lt1 cars would weigh more. Iron block, although the brakes are smaller, the calipers are much heavier due to the material steel instead of cast aluminum.. I thought about doing a lsx in the formula, but with the price of ls1 fbodies you might as well just sell yours and get a 98+ unless you really like the looks of the lt1 cars... Ryne Z06 basically said it all... Kmember, trans if your doing a six speed although I have heard of guys converting to internal/external slaves.

Just go on ebay and buy a wrecked gto drivetrain for 6k... ls2/6 speed harness etc... buy the l92 head package from slp or a vendor and call it a day you'll be under 10k and have a fast reliable car.. I will be doing that setup in a 3rd gen rx7 very soon

 

LT1 Cars are heavier..depends on what you do to them also. I have taken out alot of the extra stuff, but the car is still a normal looking DD with all the Bumper Supports and stuff like that in it. I have the LS1 Brakes as well, they are a little lighter, got the LS1 Aluminum Drive Shaft, soon to have a Moser 9", so that will put some weight that I need in the back. The Iron Blocks are heavier, but the LT1 Cars Suspension is already setup for it, so it all works out.

 

I Know A Guy With A 440hp Used Ls1 For Sale About 2500......texas Speed Is Assembling His 408 As We Speak....will Sell Motor With Slp Lt's Pm Me If You Are Interested.....you Will Have To Pay Shipping

 

Oh By The Way... I Also Have A 4l60e With 30k On It For Sale As Well....would Make A Nasty Street Strip Car