LS1 Swap in SoCal
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 41
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From: Henderson, NV
LS1 Swap in SoCal I just bought an LS1 and T56 to swap into my G35 and am now second guessing myself on the install. Anyone have any recommendations on shops in So Cal, IE preferred, that can do this for me if I decide to go that route? Or anyone familiar with this want to volunteer your time? 
I'm on my 3rd LS engine swap. One of them was an emissions legal swap that got certified/ approved. My first question to you is are you making this an emissions legal swap?
Swapping the engine itself isn't that hard. It adds cost and complication if you want to make it emissions legal. The other problem is, if you want it legal, you need the same year, or newer engine in your car. Legally, you can't swap in an older one.
Swapping the engine itself isn't that hard. It adds cost and complication if you want to make it emissions legal. The other problem is, if you want it legal, you need the same year, or newer engine in your car. Legally, you can't swap in an older one.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, NV
The motor is out of an 04 and going into an 03 but I don't plan on making it pass emissions. I bought newer just incase I needed to later down the road but don't think it will ever happen. I am going to buy the swap kit from Sikky or Fueled Racing so the motor and trans will just drop in, I am just concerned with the wiring and plumbing.
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Call Brian @ Rebs in Reseda. He did my Vortec 4.8 swap into a 77 Camaro a few years back and the work looked factory when he was done, and he didn't charge an arm and a leg.
No RMS, it's a shop in San Fernando lol.
I would help you out but you would be doing some leg work and I can't do too much since I work over 40 hours a week. Are you looking to pay someone to do it? Or are you wanting someone to advise you?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, NV
Well if its getting done at a shop I obviously expect to pay them and have them do it all; whereas, if its done by someone at their home/my home then I would also pay them for their time and labor while offering as much assistance as possible along the way.
For the least amount of downtime you should definitely take it to a shop that is going to have the time to do the whole thing without juggling other cars in the shop. Lots of shops usually have multiple projects there working on so it is hard to find a shop that can devote 100% of there time to the swap.
We have finished almost 90 complete LSx based conversions and can handle doing a complete turnkey swap into any type of vehicle.
Feel free to call with any questions or if you are in the area feel free to come by and check out any of the projects being built in the shop right now (About 10 LSx conversions in the shop right now)
Feel free to call with any questions or if you are in the area feel free to come by and check out any of the projects being built in the shop right now (About 10 LSx conversions in the shop right now)
We have finished almost 90 complete LSx based conversions and can handle doing a complete turnkey swap into any type of vehicle.
Feel free to call with any questions or if you are in the area feel free to come by and check out any of the projects being built in the shop right now (About 10 LSx conversions in the shop right now)
Feel free to call with any questions or if you are in the area feel free to come by and check out any of the projects being built in the shop right now (About 10 LSx conversions in the shop right now)
I almost suggested your shop, too, but I figured the distance might be a bit much.
To the OP, I've been to the CalSpeed shop, and they've got every swap under the sun going on. Workmanship is top-notch, too. Jim is very thorough, and I recommend that, whether you get the swap done by him or not, definitely take the car to him for a tune. He pulled 39 RWHP out of the Camaro in my sig just by nailing the tune. And this is on an unopened 160k mile stock motor.
If you can make the drive to Bakersfield, you won't be disappointed.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 41
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From: Henderson, NV
Thanks for the help guys. Bakersfield may be a little far to travel for work on the car for me though. Adding the drive there and back twice would take up almost 2 days of potential work on the car. I'll definitely keep it as an option though.
You can give Gene a call, his shop is in La Habra (714-650-0042). Tell him James sent ya. Getting an LS1 into my Camaro AND Bronco (Technically LQ4, shhh dont tell the Ford guys). Also someone mentioned TPI TError, I would second that recommendation. While Ive never had him do any work on my cars (didnt have the cash at the time) hes been a wealth of information and always responded to my PM's with all of my questions answered professionally and will probably need to hit him up when it comes time to put the 4th gen dash in my Camaro.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, NV
The time has finally come to do this..all parts are here. I looked for some of the places mentioned without contact info in this thread and couldn't find the shops. So far the only place I've spoken with needs the car for 3-4 weeks which is too much down time for me. Anyone else have suggestions?