LS1 Swap

[Emulsifide]

As stated in my PowerDyne thread (http://www.mifbody.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=28592), that project is dead for a good reason.

I managed to nab a complete dropout 01 LS1 with 4l60e, wiring harness, all accessories, sensors, fuel rails, injectors, intake, tb, maf, and ecu for $1800 shipped!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP-6kckAnKQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkf65Hqke5Q

Boring sounding huh? lol.

I know I have plenty of shit I still need to buy, but getting the majority of it at such a low cost was my motivation for going this route instead of messing around with the 3800.

I'm not sure if I want to plan on doing a cam right off the bat, but I know I'll be purchasing an aftermarket k-member and full long tube header exhaust. I'm also not sure whether or not I'm doing any front suspension upgrades yet. I'd love to get a hold of some QA1s, but I could definitely end up grabbing some stock ls1 suspension bits if the price was right (damn near free).

I also have to figure out whether or not if my 98 fuel system is compatible with the fuel rails of the 01 ls1. I don't know if the pump can be driven by the ecu or not either. Minor issues that I'm sure I will figure out quickly. I know I'll have to repin the wiring harness to work with the 98 interior harness, but I'm currently shopping around to see if I can find a 00+ interior harness to match. I don't mind going either route, but I might as well be consistent with the wiring if I have the chance. This car is my summer warrior, so I don't mind having it out of commission for extended periods of time.

This will definitely be a wild ride, but should be uber fun as well. I swapped an 18k mile motor into my 160k mile Saab 9-3 daily driver last summer. This will be more difficult given the fact that I'm going to drop everything out of the bottom of the car, but I'm not worried about it.

Questions? Comments?

[98blackbeauty]

You could save yourself a lot of money by going stock k frame until you cam it. they can be had for 100. or less. tubular is 600-800. difference would pay for headers. The savings in weight is only 50-75 lbs probably.
On the 94 95 LT1 swap we did the k frame from v6 - v8 is the same except the motor mounts are located to diff. location. Your v6 could even be used and redrilled for motor mounts.

[my95z28]

Wow, you got a great deal on that!! I think that you are goingt o want to go with a different fuel pump, the v6 ones are too weak. Oh, and if you cam it right now, remember that you are going to have to get it tuned as well. Seems to be the going rate for dyno tuning an lsx is right around 500.

[Emulsifide]

You could save yourself a lot of money by going stock k frame until you cam it. they can be had for 100. or less. tubular is 600-800. difference would pay for headers. The savings in weight is only 50-75 lbs probably.
On the 94 95 LT1 swap we did the k frame from v6 - v8 is the same except the motor mounts are located to diff. location. Your v6 could even be used and redrilled for motor mounts.

The last time I checked, Ks were between $400-$600 depending on how durable you want it to be (more supports for racing and/or moly tubing). Did prices go up? I honestly haven't done the research yet.

Wow, you got a great deal on that!! I think that you are goingt o want to go with a different fuel pump, the v6 ones are too weak. Oh, and if you cam it right now, remember that you are going to have to get it tuned as well. Seems to be the going rate for dyno tuning an lsx is right around 500.

Damn straight. I pretty much stole it for that price. I'm not usually as patient as I was with this purchase, but it definitely paid off this time.

Yeah, I'm debating on getting a hold of a 99+ plastic gas tank with sender assembly and then dropping a racetronix into it. Tuning will not be an issue as I have HPTuners and my good ol' Innovate LC-1 wideband (with a brand spankin new sensor) as well. I've tuned my Cavy at Monkey Wrench Racing in Commerce Twp. in the past on their dynapak 3000. I plan on going back there again with the Camaro.

[Virtue]

there shouldnt be any difference in fuel rails from 98-02 i know 97 ls1's had a return setup,but that wasnt in a fbody

[97rs4life]

you will need a return style fuel rail from a corvette or the regulator that is return style. The fbody ls1s are returnless and will not work unless you redo your fuel lines and tank setup

[Emulsifide]

you will need a return style fuel rail from a corvette or the regulator that is return style. The fbody ls1s are returnless and will not work unless you redo your fuel lines and tank setup

Definitely good to know. That's more motivation for me to move to a plastic camaro ls1 fuel tank and sender unit.

Oh and Travis, you friggin rock for sending me the K&N filter I need. Thank you again!

[97rs4life]

well you can keep the v6 setup for the tank, just need the different vette fpr or rail. Probably cheaper and easier than swapping out the tank and all.

[csmith4153]

The last time I checked, Ks were between $400-$600 depending on how durable you want it to be (more supports for racing and/or moly tubing). Did prices go up? I honestly haven't done the research yet

Reg UMI K-Member is $489.99

The UMI Road Race K-Member is $569.99

[Emulsifide]

well you can keep the v6 setup for the tank, just need the different vette fpr or rail. Probably cheaper and easier than swapping out the tank and all.

What I've neglected to say about this car is that I'm also looking to preserve it in as best of condition as possible. This means, I intend on tearing down the entire underside of this car and coating it with POR-15 before the powertrain and drivetrain get put back in. My brake lines are rusted to all hell, which means I will be replacing all of them while the underside is bare. I think the fuel lines are in somewhat bad shape as well, but I can't remember. Regardless, preservation is my number one priority on this car. I intend on keeping it for a really long time.

With that, I think I'd be better off with the plastic tank (for the sake of it never rusting out) unless there is a certain advantage to sticking with a return fuel system. Do the Corvette rails flow any better than the stock ls1 rails?

Reg UMI K-Member is $489.99

The UMI Road Race K-Member is $569.99

Good deal. That's what I figured they were at.

[Emulsifide]

Slight update:

The engine is in a freight terminal in Detroit. I have to go pick it up over the next couple of days. I need to buy an engine hoist and rent a trailer to do so. I posted a wanted ad for an ls lifting plate, but are there any stock lifting hooks on the engine?? I haven't been able to locate any in photos that I've seen on the internet.

Also, I managed to grab this UMI road race k-member for dirt cheap:

[Emulsifide]

Lol, this day just keeps getting better! Managed to score the following:

auto shifter
auto pedals
shifter cable
center console auto trim piece
2001 interior wiring harness

All for $145. Budget build? You bet!

[97rs4life]

is your car a manual right now? Most of that stuff you don't need if u have an auto right now

[fb0dy0nly]

Really enjoying this build, keep the pictures coming. Cant wait to see her fire up. Puttinng this together will make you appreciate it even more and more than just having it done or buying one.

Also, PM sent.

[Emulsifide]

is your car a manual right now? Most of that stuff you don't need if u have an auto right now

I forgot to mention the car is a manual, which puts a neat twist on things. Not a huge deal overall. The only thing I gotta figure out is how I want to cover up the shifter hole in the body. If I can find an auto f-body in a local junkyard, I'll bring along a reciprocating saw and cut out the piece I need, cut it down exactly to size, and the weld it into place. If not, I'll opt for a plain old piece of sheet metal which will give the same effect, but won't be perfect.