In preparation for Bobbys (93TAWicked1) new LSX blocked 454 and UMI K-member, the current setup is getting removed from the bottom. Here are some pics of the experience. This was our first time pulling an engine from the bottom of the car. Not sure how much time we have into this (maybe 6 hours?), but it would def. go alot quicker the next time. It was overall a pretty simple procedure and I think the hardest part was trying to figure out the best position for the straps onto the front of the car. The straps look small, but they're rated at 7000lbs each.

In this pic we just got through adjusting the straps for the first time, and it was just coming up off the jackstands.


Same as above, but from the side.


Here we got the car off the jackstands, and lowered the Kmember/engine onto the cart. The Kmember is unbolted at this point and the car was going back up in the air minus the engine.


Another shot, but a bit more up in the air.


Here the car is supported with our custom jackstand elevators. Bobby got this idea from another board member and they worked very well actually. We supported the car with these while we pulled the engine/Kmember/cart out from under the car.




And here it is, all out of the car. That shortblock is awaiting delivery into my car, along with a BMR Kmember.

 

Nice but your supposed to tie up the spindles though so you dont stretch the brake lines before you pull the body off.

You need also to make sure you measure and get the new k-member centered when you put it back in. The body shop who did mine fecked it up royally and the alignment shop had to go back to square one.

Bobby I'll pm you with Matts Shop number. Steve is who I talked to. Just tell him I sent you. He just did mine so he'll remember me.. black Camaro. They thought mine was a hotrod, wait til they get yours in there The UMI doesnt have split sleeves so it takes more time in adjusting it unless your staying wiht your oem a-arms. If so no need to worry about it, I did complete. But like I said on the phone my car is perfect now. You'll get before and after reports and he'll do what ever alignment you want. I'm at -1.2 camber +4.5 caster and slight toe.

 

Awesome!!!

 

I'm putting new brakes lines in so I'm not all that worried about. I'm staying with stock a-arms too broke for any extras that I don't really need, although I might go with some different springs to make room for the nine inch.

It really was pretty easy. I bet if you hurried and just went to town 3 hours. it took us alot of time to figure out where to put the straps and which ones to use etc.

I guess I'll use the chain to walk the dog that will really freak my suburban neighbors out!!

 

Nice work guys. I want an LSX 454.
Robert

 

I think 3 hours with two people is a very realistic time, especially now that we've both done this once. The first time, we were both second guessing everything we did, so it takes more time/effort etc... plus we don't have to construct jack elevators, look for suitable hoist straps etc. That engine hoist KICKED ***!! I still can't believe Chris gave that to you. Maybe the $$ was factored into the purchase price of that car though lol...

I think you should take that huge chain you bought, and make a choker chain for Brutus then re-name him "Rampage Jackson" lol...

Oh BTW Bobby, I think I'm gonna take those head studs too, just come up with a price.

I think I need to update my sig...........

Mike

 

I've done F bodies both ways and I greatly prefer swapping motors from underneath on them.

 

ANY time you want to trade cars you let me know and you'll have your 454...shoot I will even let you keep all the nitrous...and throw in a couple grand so you can buy your wife something nice.

You too could roll the mobile!

Your setup is going to be nasty and I'm sure I'd be looking at tail lights if we raced remember I'm the guy with the 400rwhp high 12 second Z06

 

I don't know who is more excited between the two of us! email me the pics of us standing in the engine bay acting a fool!

 

mine involved a forklift, lol.

 

my puny 347 is affraid to come out and play now

 

We got the engine stripped down to the shortblock on Sunday. Here is a few shots of the Darton MID sleeved 388 that's going into my black car. OK, I'm stoked....






And a few shots of Bobby's UMI K-member. Looks like a pretty stout piece, but it's significantly heavier than the BMR unit I'm using. I'd say a good 5-8lbs heavier, but I'm sure it's got way more torsional rigidness. Good quality piece for sure!

 

x2, if you have a lift, out the bottom goes quite nice.

 

Looks like a major operation, but you were well prepared. Maintenance, both major and minor, was a major factor in discouraging me from the purchase of a Camaro. Three hours (your estimate for the next time) does not seem excessive, but how long would it take with one person? Did you count removal of the trans in the time, or was that done on a previous day?

 

One person could probably do it in 4 although it would definatly help to have a helping hand. The Tranny would be another half hour really to unbolt the TA and driveshaft, the tranny would come out with the engine.

I imagine the first time would take quite a while like it did for us after you get it its really a simple process. I would say this is 1/3 as difficult and swapping an auto to a T56 on jackstands. If fact if I were to do another tranny swap like that I think I'd pull the motor and tranny have plenty of room to install the hydraulics etc and put it back in with the t56.

 

Swapping an engine out of any car is a major operation and maintenance is no different than any other car.

He's replacing the k-memeber as well, another major operation on any car.

The thing about the LSx is you can get great results from mods and fbods arent a bad platform for putting it to the streets. Its no different than any other performance vehicle.

You can either turn a wrench or you can't, it's not the cars fault

 

Taking an engine out is a major operation, but to say such a task (maintenance) is the same for any car is a statement with which I must disagree: I can get the engine out of my '82 in less than two hours working at a reasonable pace, by myself, and I am not Mr GoodWrench by any stretch. I don't even need to remove the hood to remove the engine; all bellhousing bolts are visible and easily accessible as are the engine mount bolts. In short, there's room to work and a general ease of maintenance. For me, ease of maintenance matters.

I'm impressed with your fabricated body brace and the roller you used for the engine and K member. I am glad I don't have to be so clever.

 

Oops, didn't need this one.

 

Hahahahaha, I took it out the top as (opposed to Bobby) and didnt have any issues either. Lets face it the engine is not swimming in an oversized compartment like days of old and yes you might get a scratch or two .
But lets compare apples to apples.

As far as dropping the trans and the bell housing its not that big a deal in an fbod really and wasnt that much different than my Chevelle. I had mine out in 45 minutes with me taking a few breaks in between. And that includes jacking the car up and putting it on stands.

The more you do something the easier it becomes. The 72 Chevelle was my first and it wasnt a quick swap but the fbod is easy to work on now. Draws blood sometimes buts it not a difficult car to wrench on.

The Vette scares me a little though

 

The C5 is MUCH easier to work on in my opinion. I would take an engine out of an F-body any day its pretty easy.