From the front-page -- https://ls1tech.com/how-tos/slidesho...anyway-1008075

It's been four years and almost 10,000 miles since we put an LS3 E-ROD Connect & Cruise system in a 1992 Buick Roadmaster. For those who didn't see it back in 2022, here's the full build thread. At the moment, it's my only car when I'm not reviewing new vehicles as an automotive journalist. So not technically a full daily driver. But the experience has made me think about taking a project or weekend toy and using it as a daily driver, and the problems you can experience along the way. Thus, the front-page article linked above.

What about you? Have you ever daily-driven a swap project? What did you experience & learn along the way?

And please share your builds -- photos/threads -- I'd love to see more of what everyone's doing.

Cheers!

 

Good read, and a reality check for most. Personally, my WS6 is "bought, not built" (I don't consider the minor bolt-on mods I've done or swaps of crappy factory parts like the rear end to qualify a car as being "built"). But I am digging into a long-delayed major upgrade of my '68 Cutlass involving an engine rebuild and front suspension and front brake upgrades that will make it much faster and safer than it was originally (transmission, rear end and rear suspension have already been upgraded). Fortunately for me, other than the ~6 mos I was doing body work and paint prep on it while driving it daily to work, I've always had a "winter beater" that would keep my projects out of bad weather or having to rely on it as a daily driver.

 

Hey, thanks for reading and commenting!

Best of luck with your 68 Cutlass project. That's another great point -- projects are much more fun when they're on the road, even if they're imperfect at the moment.

And a WS6 is on my bucket list. I've been looking for a fun daily -- built by smart engineers, not an novice with YouTube -- to go along with the wagon.

 

Most of those reasons are part of the adventure of driving a swapped or performance vehicle. The goal is to have fun and hone your skills along the way. Personally I’d rather call for a ride/tow home than drive my Corolla (which is not stock either). The weather here means you have to have a beater or enjoy rust repair. So I can’t say I speak from year round experience.

 

Can't say I really daily drive my LS swapped projects due the salted winter roads.
But in the summer I drive my latest LS swap project a 80 Camaro with a 6.2/4L60E as much as I can.
My daily winter driver to the end of the driveway plowing snow is my 98 Wrangler with a 02 LS6/4L60E combo.

 

That Wrangler looks like a beast, well done!

What did you do with its suspension?

 

1988 Fiero



Build threads:

• Detailed: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum3/HTML/000123.html
• Summarized: https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...peed-swap.html

When I started building this car back in 2010, the priority was a fun daily driver so drivability, fuel economy and enjoyable to drive were key.

It was naturally aspirated from 2013-2019 with 382 rwhp, weighed 2807 lbs w/o driver, and pulled down a best of 29 mpg. During these 6.5 years, I put 55k miles on the swap, many driving it for work travel up to 8 hours from home and getting paid to do so! The longest single day trip was 12 hrs only stopping for gas to start the 2016 HRPT. DOD lifter failure in September 2019 took the car down for upgrades and that snowballed to the point it wasn't back on the road until November 2023.

Since late 2023 it has been turbocharged (now intercooler and 14 psi), with more interior and stereo upgrades that took its performance and enjoyment to the next level. I have racked up another 15K miles on the car with a best of 27 mpg and 2980 lbs w/o driver. Last friday I drove it 750 miles.

I think the key to daily driving an older car with a swap is to not stop just with the engine or transmission. Upgrade the suspension, brakes, and coolant systems as well and overall reliability will improve.

 

In regards to the Wrangler it has 17 years on the swap. It has been bullet proof. Ford Explorer 8.8 posi rear axle. Stock 35 Dana up front. 2002? Rubicon springs front and rear. 1" spring spacers in the front due to the weight of the plow.. 241R transfer case, Upgraded drive shafts. JKS control arms all around. Built LS6/4L60E. Bilstein shocks all around. Stock 98 front disc brakes. Rear stock Explorer rear discs. Work perfect.
Folks ask me if it's good in the mud? I tell them I've had it on a gravel road once. Truly a mall crawler in the summer time. LOL.
Bought it about 18 years ago as a theft recovery out of TX zero rust. But as I at picked at soon the body was off the frame. Frame powder coated. Total repaint. Corbeau seats.
We've had on the Power Power Tour for a few legs.
It's a great around town summer time cruiser.

 

Awesome builds, you guys, thanks for sharing!

 

In response to your question my daily driver is a 1963 Pontiac Catalina convertible. It went together in '19 with an LT out of a 15 silverado. To delete the DOD I went to a comp cam but that is the only modification made to the drive train. I do not need to worry about the rear end as it has the Olds Pontiac so familiar to the drag racers of my era. When I realized how fast it was the preservation of my body required Wilwoods on all 4 corners. A great braking system by the way. I give myself a little more room and I have not yet come close to the car in front of me on the notorious Los Angeles freeway system. It is a lot faster than it has any right to be and has gotten the attention of a couple of mustang owners. It gets about 17 in town and I have never had it on the road long enough to know exactly what it gets on the highway but it is considerably more. I grew up in my fathers auto repair shop and built several street machines, the most difficult was the 354 Hemi and torqueflight in a 55 Chev two door station wagon. I can already hear everybody screaming that it is not possible. It is if you get rid of the Chevy steering box but that is a discussion for another day. Point being that I had enough experience to avoid all the pitfalls and it has been the best most reliable and enjoyable street machine I have ever built. And all this on regular gas!
I love the Buick by the way. Fortuately my Indian predates all the accursed plastic so I do not need to worry about that.
I will drive it to the day I die as it only has one computer, the one for the engine. I have learned that I do not have enough electrical experience to work on the new stuff so I don't need it. Besides, when was the last time you saw a 63 pontiac on the road?
Dwight

 

That's super cool, Dwight. I hope to see you around LA someday.