1971 Buick GS LS swap help
10-14-2018, 08:09 PM
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1971 Buick GS LS swap help I am working on swapping a 98 LS1/4L60E into my 71 GS. This is my first swap so I need a little help from some of you guys that may have already done this. My car was a 455 car so I'm sure I will need to change front springs. Do I need to order a set of small block springs or is there something else available? I currently have the car on the lift with the front suspension torn down and working on rebuilding it. I also bought the Dirty Dingo slider mounts (part # DD-Slider) and the Holley oil pan. I'm not sure if I need to change my frame brackets or if the 455 brackets will work. Can any of you guys help me out with any of this?
10-15-2018, 06:03 AM
#3
The DD slider brackets are designed to work with the old school type Chevy motor mounts, so you would need to change out your frame stands to use them on your car. If you plan on running a low-mount A/C compressor, the DD brackets may impede your ability to do so since their geometry cantilevers forward of the motor mount location on the engine block. The stacked plate nature of their design will also place your engine higher in your frame than is otherwise possible to achieve using another type of engine mounting set-up, which will have a negative impact on the U-joint working angles of a lowered car.
11-04-2018, 06:45 PM
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So Im getting ready to buy the Hooker/Holley mounts. Which ones do I need to buy? I want to use my stock crossmember and I'm not cutting the floor for 4L60E clearance. Also plan to by headers. What headers do you guys recommend?
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11-04-2018, 07:27 PM
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And this will allow me to use my stock crossmember correct? I'll need to use stock F-body motor mounts too right? This will make it much easier on me since I'm using everything out of my 98 Trans Am. I just want to make sure I get all the right parts. I'm planning to have this thing running by Thanksgiving
11-04-2018, 07:55 PM
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Yes, you would use stock F-body engine mounts. The ability to install a 4L60E using the stock transmission crossmember has only been confirmed using the Chevelle crossmember, I don’t know if you’ll have the same experience with your stock crossmember or not.
11-04-2018, 08:09 PM
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I know it is different from the Chevelle crossmember you have on your test car. I do have a 70 Chevelle sitting in storage so I can use that one if need be. I will take pics of the Buick crossmember for you and let you know if it works so you can share with your customers. Thank you for your help
11-04-2018, 08:39 PM
#12
I'm ordering a set of these bad boys too
70101518-1HKR
11-04-2018, 08:56 PM
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11-10-2018, 02:20 AM
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I hear ya! I have 455 and TH400 stored away so I can put it back and I am not cutting anything on the car. I just thought it would be cool to LS a GS! I wanted to LS an early 2nd gen RS Camaro but a decent one of those is stupid high now. Use to be able to pick one up for almost nothing not too long ago but not any more, thanks to all the shows like *** Monkey and his retard buddies down the road.
11-10-2018, 12:47 PM
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The directions say that the passenger side has a semi circle on the outer profile. So this is the passenger side. Problem is the bolt holes do not line up and the mount is way to far forward. I'm not 100% sure but I think the motor mount tabs were welded on to the wrong side of both of my plates on my frame mounts. I traced out the mount onto a piece of cardboard, cut it out and flipped it over and it lined up perfect. Plus it looks like the angled side of the plate should be lined up with the front of the crossmember. Can anyone verify this for me?
Bad thing is yesterday when I opened the box it was also missing all of the bolts and spacers that should have come with it. I called Summit and they were getting the missing stuff sent to me directly from Hooker. So I guess I need to call Summit back again and see what I need to do now. I planned to have this thing installed and ready to start by tomorrow. Guess I will now be a week behind.
Last edited by cainsw; 11-10-2018 at 03:18 PM. Reason: Add pics
