LS1 swap, 96 RS 3.8 (lots of pics)

[esoteric18]

wow ls in an early 4th gen pretty awesome and thats pretty cool you have such a talented uncle. the wiring is very intimidating

[chris2001_15]

Kinda have been slacking at updating this, partially because I lost my camera so there is no way of posting pics / vids right now. The car is actually running / moving down the road now. "All" that is left is to get the pipes bent for the exhaust, make the mess of wires pretty under the hood, Spray the color on the new dash pad, And take apart the link to the rack to actually center the steering. we somehow managed to get it a half turn off ish. So it turns to the right hard and only half way to the left. After that's all set i can get it to the shop for an alignment. Then take it to get the pipes made. All should be done this week and hopefully I'll get some drive time on it to make sure nothing goes wrong this time. Already blew a fuse that powers up the fuel pump when i gassed it in 2nd gear. And popped off a line to the radiator, dumping a gallon of coolant.

[ITSSLOW]

Great progress. Glad to see she's finally running and driving.

[chris2001_15]

After 2 days of trying to figure out the steering rack and why I could not center the rack and have my wheel centered, then only being able to turn half the distance left as compared to right, we finally figured it out. The "intermediate shaft" that connects the rack to the steering colum is different between the year changeover in 97/98. Figured out the lobe on the rack for my 96 rack i took out of the car sits directly towards the front of the car when the rack is centered. On the rack for the 2000 I put in with the motor swap, the lobe is about 90 degrees right. So when I would center the rack it would look like I was making a right turn, when I centered the wheel and alligned the car straight, the wheel would not even make a complete full turn to the left. New part is comming tomarrow, allignment will be done shortly after then sent out to get my exaust put on. And I'll have a painted dash pad tonight so I can finish the interrior for good. My goal is to have the car out on the 17th for the Fall picnic.

[BP_Z28]

Good date. You can do it!!

[chris2001_15]

Trying like hell, Got about 120 miles on it since the swap nothing major went south so far. (knock on wood) I did punch the gass and blew a fuse that controlls the PCM ignition / fuel pump. I guess there is more of a power draw through the system, jumped the 10A fuse up to 15A and have not had a problem so far. Also have to reprogram the PCM to match the gear ratio for the rear. I got the program done when i bought the harness and they set it to 3.73 because i had no clue what i was getting at that point. The rear i have now is a 3.43, so the shit points are kinda funny right now. First gear is looooong, I cant assume anything is wrong with it untill i get the program right. then i can feel how it drives. And depending on when the car goes to get the exhaust bent, I will more than likley be re shooting the fiberglass hood at work the beginning of the week. Paint died back over the years and it looks bad... I'll try to get some crappy camera phone pics, Still no clue where my camera is.

[chris2001_15]

Got a few pics up with the phone, not amazing quality but will have to do. This was the week before the fall picnic on the 17th

love using the hoist, made my life to much easier.


Y-pipe was welded on the night before in the garage, was too dark to take pictures.


Putting on the shielding underneath the car, getting everything ready for the exhaust to get put on.


indoor wash bay = amazing in 40 degree weather

[meissen]

Looks good, Chris! Car looked great at the picnic.

[phoenix_rising]

Thread from the dead. How did this turn out Chris. Looking at all the work you put in makes the swap look very daunting.

[SLP LS1]

The wiring looks like hell on earth! lol.

[phoenix_rising]

Did Chris ever finish this project?