It's your car, your money, and your build. The people who are complaining about LS swaps remind me of the people years ago who were so tired of seeing everything with a SBC. It sounds like you have a good plan, or at least most of one. We both know that "If you want to make God laugh, just make a plan." Those who lament over the good old days are probably too young to remember hassling with point gaps, changing spark plugs every few thousand miles, trying to get the carb dialed in, and on and on. I'm glad you're making progress, and if you build the drivetrain the way you're doing the body, it may take you a while but it will be a fantastic machine, to suit you, and you'll enjoy driving it for a long time to come. All the best to you and your family.
When you pull the motor apart, inspect the cam bearings very closely. Some of them have walked out of position and causing oil pressure issues. Also check for wear on the bearings. Any discoloration or brass showing through replace the bearings. Melling makes high volume and high pressure pumps that are good for the 5.3, but if you use a high volume pump, make sure to add oill capacity. I dont remember the rpm number, but you could pump the pan dry at high rpm with a tight motor. Enjoy the videos.
Great update, there is a lot to learn about the LS swaps for sure. Luckily there is also a lot of information online. I think you will need to move the alternator for the DSE subframe. I'm in a similar situation with not unlimited funds. If you watch the first few episodes of my build you will see I bought an LS3 off e-bay that was is a car-b-que and the intake plastic was melted into the cylinders! I had to buy just about everything for it, but I saved a lot of money. One last piece of advice, is to not just test fit the trans in the tunnel to make sure it fits, but at the correct driveline angle. I had to do significant modifications to my tunnel AFTER I thought everything fit.
Nice I am old school lol 475 hp is good for me used to race late model outlaw dirt and asphalt 700hp get a 100 mph in a block G forces are something else! Love your videos you do things right your car should really be awesome.
I put a LS 5.3 in my 69 camaro and I'm using the Holley terminator xmax on mine and it's the best thing I have ever done. Holley makes a oil pan for a LS in a camaro. The 799 heads are some of the best heads. You can look in the spark plug holes and look at the top of the pistons. if they are dished it's a 5.3 if they are flat it's a 4.8 I put a 2005 corvette intake on mine to clear the hood because the truck intake is too tall. I'm also running the Holley mid mount drive system.
I’ve got a 67,had a 396 that let go.After adding up the upgrades and machine work to redo the big block it just didn’t make sense anymore.I had an LS3 built(N/A)that should be coming this week.Same concerns:Wanted power but reliability.Same as you I plan on driving this car till I die.The motor made 603HP and 597TQ on the dyno,that’s more than enough for me and still have smooth power delivery. Ended up costing me about 20K but I should be good for the next ten years.I’m struggling a bit with the bills but it’ll pay off in the long run. Good luck with your choice
I'm older but I like the boosted idea but that cam needs to be milder. They make cams for boosted applications usually not 'monster' cams with tons of lope and overlap. I'll bet you'd like that a lot better. I don't know much about the LS platform but it seems like at least a decent set of rods might be good insurance too.
I love the newer engines. Skirted blocks, 6 bolt mains and don’t leak oil like old iron. Easier to diagnose with all the sensors. Having said that I would only modify a basket case with a run of the mill drivetrain. Lot of questions about the old stuff rounding off cam lobes etc as well.
Hello Roger they are great engines you have it now . Give your self some time to think about what you want to do for sure . Im sure you can get your money out of it if you change your mind . Do what makes you happy . Cheers my friend
You can do what you need with the factory computer.The learning curve with hp tuners is a little steep at first. Evans performance is a good online source for learning how to tune, can binge watch for $50/month. I'd recommend just get it running first before you rip it apart. It's easy to start tossing money at it when it may not be really necessary.
nice purchase Roger, perfect for your first turbo set up, sure you know sloppy mechanics , and that tranny is sure a good deal for the money, go for it ...
Nice, I'm doing something similar, in a way more difficult becuase it's a Gen V LT1, so not so many swap parts available yet. In any case you're always welcome to ask me what I am using to do the swap. I am going with an automatic, it's a 4L80E and would probably be way cheaper than manual the transmission your looking at. With 411s and 28" tires I will be at 2400 rpm. Save money and use the computer that came with it and a standalone harness. You can buy a diablo computer to program it if needed. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome man, I am not a LS fan especially in a classic, but hey it will be reliable and make plenty of power. plus everyone is putting those motors in everything so parts and perf parts are easy to find. thanks for sharing the video
hay roger thanks for sharing and dont beat yourself up ls stuff is confusing but power can be had cheap and reliable. do you need a 6 speed or will a tremic tko or tkx do. much cheaper. just had my neck fused from c 2 to t 1 so watching videos hoping i will be able to work on my cars again thanks for the insoration
Alright Mr Fireman do I have a response to you. first off here is a good video and channel that i would recommend if your looking into turbo charging your engine to watch: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gskkfFZXwzI.html I was all in on turbo charging my 68 Camaro project then I thought about the cost weight and complexity of that type of setup. I don't know what your plan is for your car once it is done is but I want to do a autocross/optima ultimate street car. turbos just didn't make sense for that application. now if you just want to run it down a drag strip that would be a good application for turbo chargers. also be mindful of the amount of power going through your rear end. don't want to break gears that gets expensive quickly. as for the transmission. I would recommend either a Tremec 5 or 6 speed. in my reading 5 speeds hold 600 lbs of torque and don't have to have much if any modifications to the floorpan. looks to be running 3000 bucks new might be able to find a used one. 6 speeds hold 700lbs of torque and you will have to modify the floorpan. the 6 speed is around 3500 dollars new again could be able to find a used one. the 6 speed will be better on the highway. I don't know your rear gears and wheel height or else I could calculate how much rpm you would be at 75mph. just my opinion if you want to go with that z transmission go ahead. Just remember build your car the way you want it. don't feel like you have to explain it to anyone.
Strange 3:70 trutrac Ford narrowed 9” with moser axles, 6 speed with clutch and all the goodies will be 6700.00. I plan on mostly street driving, I have c6 based dse front sub with dse 4 link rear, want it to handle good may take it to hallett raceway at some point, love the way turbos sound, thanks I’ll watch the link you sent.
