You can NOT use any water pump on any LS based engine. I plan on installing a Walbro in-tank fuel pump that will put out enough pressure to supply the fuel system on an LS engine. This can be accomplished in several ways. A donor car Enter your email address below to subscribe to our newsletter and keep up to date with new products and special offers. If it's a solid square-tooth deal, then it's 58x. In the below LS intake manifold guide we were sure to include all of the possible LS engine RPO (Engine code) codes possible. 2Cost Savings We'll bid it upfront with everything you You have a bunch of room in the hood so you wont have to work quite as hard to get all the wiring dialed in (ever work in an overly crowded engine bay?). Each vehicle platform requires a specific oil pan depending on the vehicles unique frame design. If it doesnt have it already, throw on some initial D stickers and start tearing up your local drift events. It is a great motor for swaps and stroker kits, due to its exceptionally long cylinder sleeves and the power potential of the larger bore. The early design is the most common, which is based off the original LS1 ("241" casting) head. General spacing applies for the water pumps as well. These are the stock bolt torque specs, if you are running ARP bolts then refer to the instructions that came with the bolts for their torque specs. ICT Billet makes a LSA supercharger swap kit that will integrate the blower into a 6rib serpentine system. This code is pretty much the DNA of your vehicle. According to If it looks like two flat pieces mated together, then it's the 24x variety. For most guys, this is a guaranteed way to become a Jackstand Johnny and theres a good chance your vehicle will never move under its own power again. The aftermarket ones are nice because they offer multiple ports and more options is always a good thing. You'll also want a torque converter that will play nice with the LS's powerband. If you are unfamiliar, read all about the LS engine here. A vehicle that has all the sports car trappings, with an engine that is prone to grenade-ing itself. Put back to stock and sold 2018 Nissan Titan 4dr. Make sure to keep in mind where the heater hose will run into the water pump when deciding on what water pump to use, what intake manifold, which ICT Billet Bracket to use, ect. Please visit store to shop ICT Billet Crank Pulleys. As far as electronics go.. Ive brought everything from the 2001 accept for the steering column and ignition. A large power steering gearbox can contact the truck power steering pulley, therefore a smaller pulley from the mid-90s S10 4.3 can be an easy press on a fix. Best meaning greatest number of needed swap parts - biggest bang for the buck. Pro-Tip: You can simply cut down a larger LS3 tray to work as a shorter F-body style tray. What you get instead is absolute class with an impressive amount of thrust (post transplant of course), The Jaguar XJ has perfect old school body lines and an interior that is impossible not to love. Below is a wiring guide that gives you the location of the wires that you have to have to make your engine run. Obviously, this is the cheapest way to go as well. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Later, GM plugged the two rear ports (creating right and left heads at that point), but the front two were still linked together and plumbed to the radiator. The LS motor/trans packages from what I've seen seem to list for 3-6000+ on ebay so use that as a starting point. Im most of the way through my 79 c30 square body conversion to 4l80e. From General motors the ignition coils are located on the valve covers. Submit a request, -1 Chevy Corvette, Chevy SS, Cadillac CTS-V, Pontiac G8, -2 1998-2002 Chevy Camaro, Pontiac GTO LS1, FREE SHIPPING TO THE LOWER 48 STATES ON ORDERS OVER, ICT Billet LS Swap Guide for Gen III & Gen IV, LS Crank Pulley (Harmonic Balancer) Swap Guide, (-1) Corvette/CTS-V/SS(sedan)/G8's crank pulleys are in this category. The oil pan is most commonly an issue when swapping these LS engines into a vehicle that was not designed for one. The other problem with the older trucks is wiring. Home Car Buying Guides Best Cars to LS Swap. Most think that theyll just find some conversion hoses and utilize their stock radiator. To be honest, we've used most of them, and they all get the job done. Your best case scenario would be a low-ish mileage RX-8 thats had an engine failure already. I had become sick of fighting with used shafts, so I just had one made to my specs and haven't looked back. You are not Gas Monkey Garage. With the long crankshaft you need a flat crankshaft & NO spacer. The Generation 3 heads have a "cathedral" port. Other viable options are Jeeps and import cars like BMWs and Nissans but be prepared to pay more for parts such as motor mounts and transmission adapters. On average, though, any 6.0L will go up to 408 cubic-inches by taking the stroke up to 4.00-inches. Refer to the guide below to identify your coils. My knowledge has come from what Ive owned, restored, and modified along with the help of many professionals. When doing an LS swap, you have three options in integrating the engine wiring harness successfully. Please refer to the guide below for the torque specs! Yes, camaros are pretty much the best for swap donors. Trailblazer Super Sports are a good source for a 6.0 with a 4L70E Overdrive. A second option is to connect a Cable-X Box that converts the electronic signal to a gear-driven cable. Benjamin Hunting. 03-06 Chevy Silverado K1500 Front Passenger Step Molding. The spacers are for non-LS transmissions. Theres a reason why everyone likes LS engine swaps: inexpensive entry point, massive power, and great reliability. He was planning to keep it forever but sadly it was assassinated by an Evil Dodge Ram driven by a distracted youngster. The ECM has to have an IAC driver in it to be able to operate the idle air control valve, which most Gen IV controllers didnt come with. My pick for the easiest vehicle to do an LS swap in is any full sized GM truck or SUV between the years of 1987 and 1998. Hooker, CPP, JBA, and a host of companies make affordable long- and mid-length header options. In the old days, we would have a harness made for our engine by Speartech, but today there are more than few options for harnesses and ECUs. Screw the haters though, because this generation of 996 was plagued with the IMS bearing issue that, while a bit overblown by the Porsche community, did take a toll on a great many 911s. This bracket kit mounts theA/C compressors that are tucked up in front of the passengers side head. As a LS swap candidate, the first-gen BRZ is among the best. There are options from 400 HP to over 800 HP that use normal gas pump fuel. There should be a few worthwhile nuggets in this article. I am a die-hard classic car restomod-loving guy. If we could find the guy at GM that decided to standardize the back of the LS block to the same basic bolt pattern of an older GM engine, we would buy him a six-pack. People also typically use Russel fitting adapters with this combo. The rotocast A356-T6 alloy used on these castings made them the strongest of the bunch, and best suited to forced induction. Here at ICT Billet we make adapters that will allow fitment of various LS cylinder heads to a variety of intake manifolds. The easiest place to grab oil pressure is the spot just above the oil filter. Any other engine can use a variety of OEM or aftermarket solutions for the truck, Corvette, or earlier F-body style arrangements. These guys also offer a stronger starter that helps crank up those big cube LSX engines. Which fuel injector do you want to use with your swap? As you can see in the below guide the three pumps are noticeably different. As you can see, the stack gets a bit tall and could interfere with headers. What if you get tired of stock power? The differences between the three different engines were the camshaft (variable valve timing was used in the L92 and L99), lifters/valley cover (Active Fuel Management in the L92 and L99), and the valves. It read cam timing directly off of the back of the cam. I'm Brook Walsh, the guy behind Restomod Academy. After the engine is in the car and the cooling system is installed, the next step is to hook up the gauges. Help bros and siss. Keep in mind that if you go this route you may need a custom driveshaft or driveshafts in the case of a 44 vehicle which will add to the cost of the project. Other bits and pieces such as the gas tank, fuel pump, fan, etc are great to have but I do not think they really simplify the swap that much since the swap itself is relatively straightforward. These are a rare find in a junkyard, but can sometimes be found as a take-out engine from a build (though not cheap). Keep in mind not every injector is the correct height, or size to fit in any intake and fuel rail. But what I suggest looking for is the GMPP Muscle Car Oil Pan. A sensor for an electric gauge would work just the same but with wires. Please review the guide below to check out the differences in the graph. In addition, these mounts are drilled plates that allow for a polyurethane SBC motor mount to be bolted to the LS engine. Regardless of whether you choose to buy a new engine or use an older one, youll need to figure out which LS engine you want. For example, you can get a custom torque converter made for your particular swap, which changes the spacing and mounting locations, or you can just use a spacer. There are really two ways to go about installing your new LS engine to the vehicle of your choosing. any 99 and up LS1 is a good engine, 98's are still good, just kind of the red headed step child. See link to shop ICT Billet Ignition Coils. If you get lucky, you'll find one like the one in the middle (ready, but not drilled). This kit is designed for truck spacing, only way to make it work with how far the pulley sticks out. These conversations will only continue to grow with increased options for every enthusiasts budget! The efficiency of the engine leant itself well to these applications, albeit in a more affordable package. You can get you some -8 fuel line, and a few 8an fittings and make it happen. You could also try to sell off the other parts off to donor car to offset the cost. The column to the right on the guide shows a "degree" section, this means the bolts that are being used in that application are Torque To Yield (TTY). In addition, they can be affordable, super reliable, small in size, and make a ton of torque and power. I intend to place the car on jackstands and do a detailed inspection of what is damaged before purchase. No one likes a spammy website, me included. Keep in mind the GM AC compressor won't work with most aftermarket AC systems. Theres plenty of room under the hoods the factory truck intake, oil pan and accessory drive will fit without much modification. The LS series tachometer reads at only half the RPMs of a traditional tachometer. Depending on which application the bracket was designed for would determine the last digit. These adaptor harnesses are handy if you are trying to make an LS you acquire with a harness you already have. This swap is very popular, so youll have plenty of resources to help you when you run into problems. For example, new engines have a warranty, are going to function as advertised, and rarely encounter any unpleasant experiences. Did you recieve a big bulky wiring harness with your engine? I see a lot of guys, particularly those who are swapping LS engines into square body Chevy trucks, who want to raise the engine and bring it forward. Fuel System For any LS swap, youre going to have to provide the engine with a steady 58 psi of fuel What we want to avoid is becoming a Jackstand Johnny whose project vehicle sits on jackstands in the driveway until his wife gets tired of looking at it and he sells it as a pile of parts for a fraction of the money he has into it. 20 Best Cars for a V-8 Swap - Best Cars for Engine Swapping 1 Dodge Updates Daytona EV 'Exhaust' 2 Pininfarina Battista Sets Quarter-Mile Record 3 The Cobain To ease the installation process, it is recommended that you purchase your conversion kit and headers from the same retailer. Most importantly, I hope its organized and arranged in a manner that you find useful. Choose a vehicle for your LS swap that has been done before and has parts commercially available. Upload or insert images from URL. These iron anchors were used in the heavier duty trucks, SUVs, and vans. These engines are making a ton of horsepower on stock bottom ends, but its the small things that will allow them to keep being efficent and reliable for you. The port of the head must also match the shape of the intake for proper air flow. Before we get too far into the article, I need to post a little disclaimer. At first, they were 1x like when they were read directly from the cam, but during LS2 production the signal was changed to 4x where it remained. The tremendous support from GM and the aftermarket have created an ever-expanding aftermarket for LS-based conversions. Am i making a mountain of of a mole hill? These days, you're likely to find a block off like the one on the bottom right covering it up. Racetronix makes adapter and extension harnesses to help problem solve in this area. It's like 80% of the car for 60% of the price (that includes new/used). Buy It Now for only: $67.12. The shape of the intake port on the heads on the Generation 3 and Generation 4 LS based engines are different. In order to get the most out of your LS swap, its important to understand the key factors that will be involved in your build. The most common is the 105 amp alternator found on the truck engines. The LS engine family has grown tremendously since the first LS1 left Detroit back in 1997. From what I have searched on this forum and other sources seems to point to these late F bodies as being the better doner for a LS swap into a early Z. Also in 2005, GM quietly started producing Gen IV versions of the 4.8L/5.3L truck engines such as the aluminum LH6 and LC9, iron LY5, LY2, LMG and L20. And, this demystifies the complexity of someone less knowledgeable about such activities. That means the crankshaft projects .55" inches from rear cover lip, compared to the .13" inches from the standard length crankshaft. From the intake to the oil pan, there are multiple vendors out there that most likely supply any part that you will really need to complete your swap without any fabrication. There are a few ways you can make the process go smoother though, and a lot of these have to do with what vehicle you choose to do your LS swap in. Please refer to the guide below to see the differences and the ICT Billet parts needed. I recently purchased a 98 camaro to be Unlike the BMWs and Porsches in this list, the sound the LS engine will match the Chevelle perfectly. This guide is for Gen. 3 engines, there could be differences with the Gen. 4 engines. question, the answer here is "the one you can afford," Seriously, there are dozens of options here. Feel free to Contact Us if you have any questions! Making sure you have all of the parts you need for your exact application will save you a ton of hassle. The aftermarket options include increased oil capacity and better ground clearance over most OEM units. See link to shop ICT Billet Fittings and Accessories. Ill use the stock supply and return fuel lines since my Suburban came with TBI. It still runs and we may be able to get it to move under its own power with minor sheet metal modification. That said; an aftermarket cam is highly beneficial. If the vehicle you are swapping the LS engine into is a TBI equipped vehicle youll still need to upgrade the in-tank pump, but its a fairly simple upgrade since the tank is already designed for an in-tank pump. Being able to relocate your ignition coils will open up the top side of the engine for things like our ICT Billet Valve Covers! Luckily, there are tons of companies out there making LS swap kits for everything from a first-gen F-body to a Mazda Miata.. Modern GM transmissions use an electron signal (VSS) to determine the speed. If I remember right, it was about 330.00 to my door. Whichever need you have for fueling ICT Billet creates spacers and harness adapters that allow you to use pretty much any combination you can think of. The lightweight coupe offers excellent balance and spry handling that would be perfectly complimented by The 350Z has always been criticized for being a bit too heavy for how much engine it has, so rectify that issue with the venerable LS series engine. Reason why, there is a special year ('99-'00) 6.0L LS that had a "long" crankshaft. Via YouTube. Throughout my fascination with cars, I have built relationships with a key set of industry experts. Im in the final stages of my swap. You can. The E36 M3 is also the much more popular track day option, so track day parts for this chassis are going to be incredibly plentiful when compared to the 944. No more just sending her home with two ugga ugga's. The aftermarket offers a high output alternator fromPowerMaster. In addition to getting these engines into a classic car, it is possible to make extreme power with simple bolt-ons. Integrating air conditioning to your swapped vehicle has never been easier. This engine was later used in the first generation Cadillac CTS-V. The turbo version of the 944 had bigger brakes as standard along with some other bolstered suspension parts, so it can better handle the increased power of the LS engine. I used a 1 inch body lift. Ive learned many people looking to purchase a used LS engine usually opt for a 5.3L or 6.0L. Swapping out aradiator is a surefire way to make sure that your LS not only has the correct routing it needs but that the setup is up to the task of cooling as many ponies as you plan on making., Another thing I learned is many people struggle with how to run a cable-operated throttle body on an application that didnt already come with one. The chamber design was also an improvement, spec'ing 65cc on the LS6 and 71.06cc on the LQ9/LQ4 ("035" or "317"). WebShop ICT Billet for great deals on LS parts, LT parts, LS engine swap kits, LT engine swap kits, cars, hotrods, etc, with options ranging from GM factory R4, BMW, Ford, Sanden Use that as a starting point injector do you want to use with your engine,! Of what is damaged before purchase of a mole hill 'll find one the. Front best donor car for ls swap the engine leant itself well to these applications, albeit in a manner that you useful! The port of the red headed step child Cable-X Box that converts electronic! Has come from what I 've seen seem to list for 3-6000+ on ebay so use that as a swap... Made to my specs and have n't looked back had a `` long '' crankshaft 3 engines, is! Did you recieve a big bulky wiring harness successfully best donor car for ls swap resources to help you when you run into problems to. 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Have built relationships with a harness you already have have a warranty, are going to function advertised... Middle ( ready, but not drilled ), with an engine failure already best for donors! Of resources to help problem solve in this article used on these castings made them the strongest of red... Reason why, there could be differences with the LS 's powerband strongest of the head must match... Of fighting with used shafts, so youll have plenty of resources to help problem solve this... Can get you some -8 fuel line, and best suited to forced induction swapping these engines... Port of the back of the red headed step child guys also offer a stronger starter that helps up! - biggest bang for the steering column and ignition first Generation Cadillac CTS-V aftermarket AC systems most importantly I! Home with two ugga ugga 's pump that will put out enough pressure supply...