Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Ok I guess I will go ahead and start a thread. I have been wanting to do this for a while now and have been gathering parts slowly. This 2002 LM7 with 862 heads (130,000 miles) will be going into my 1989 RS camaro. At the moment the car has got the most reliable sbc I have ever owned. When I bought the car it was a TBI and I converted it to carb (600 edelbrock) and it has had quite a few miles put on it without having to pop the hood. I am now looking to jump out of the stone age and start building LSX motors. I am looking to have it done by mid march at the latest. I have about $4,000 to spend and I'm hoping to get it going and get some new interior with that. Anyway we got the motor to the shop to night and started taking it apart. This is my first time pulling a ls apart and we had a blast. My brother in law and I have built many old sbc's and even a transmission or two but we have never touched an ls motor so this pretty new to us and I like it. The motor came apart very easly. Enuff talking time for pics!!!

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

This is the car, and the guy in the pics is brother inlaw

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

S10 has some weight on it

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Pulling it apart

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Got a few questions... the pass side head is CLEAN but... the drivers side and the rest of the motor is dark brown like it has gotten hot and burnt the oil. Does this look like the case or is it fine?

The motor turns over very easly and still has cross hatching but the dark oil stains worry me.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

More info on the swap.. I have 2 harnesses a pcm, ls1 intake,255lph fp,f body oil pan,ls1 injectors and rails,4l60e with converter. I have been reading for the past 6 months to the point some times i dont want to even think about messing with a car lol. I will be using the truck acc. with an L99 wp and ten. we will be modifying sbc headers with ls1 header flanges so i dont get raped on a set of freakin long tubes (watch for this b/c i havent seen it done and documented well) we will be running the vette filte/reg. I also found a local guy about 2hrs from me that makes stand alone harnesses and tuning for CHEAP we are talking 1/4 price and has been doing it for a while. I am planing on getting an lq4 and swapping everything over from the lm7 if i dont run out of money. This is going to take a frew weeks but i will keep you posted with pics and updates.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Those oil deposits are nothing compared to the crud I found when I took apart my 143k mile LQ4 (will be going in the '57 eventually). I was planning on using L92 heads, so I pulled the 317's. I tried cleaning them up without disassembling so I could sell them, changed my mind and put them on the LS1 in Berlinetta #1 instead. My engine builder cleaned them up (said it was some of the most difficult gunk to clean up he's ever seen), shaved them to LS1 size chambers, assembled them with new take-off L92 beehive springs. The builder said the guides and stems were in like-new condition. That was summer of '10, I've been running it pretty hard since then with no issues.

It's possible your engine had a head replaced some time in its life. It isn't uncommon for trucks to be rode hard and put away wet (mine was in a 3500 fleet van). While it's fair to say the previous owner of your engine didn't use synthetic oil, those deposits don't look all that bad. It would be wise to have the heads disassembled, cleaned up, and checked out before you put them back on, though.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Oil color looks fine, might have just had a clogged PCV as its centralized in the drivers rear, right under it

Should be an interesting swap. Keep doing your research and dont turn the first bolt on your swap car until the entire swap is ready to drop in and go. Research is free and the more you know, the easier it will be when running into little hiccups and issues not often discussed

POP6482

iTrader: (2)

I just started tearing down my 305 TPI T5 over the weekend. Im building an LQ4 with a T56. The motors is currently at the engine shop. As you said, I am also hoping to have this swap done by early March. Good luck. I'll be checking in to see the progress!

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Good luck man, you got a build thread?

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Thanks for the replys on the oil issue. I dont plan on pullin the small block untill i got EVERYTHING i can think of. I have even made up a list for everything down to hose clamps lol. We also plan on redoing the front end of the car. I took it on a 4hr trip last weekend and it was all over the road.

I just read on an older thread that the truck windage tray has to be cut to work with the f body pan, what is the fittment issue? I havent sat my new pan on the motor yet but is it going to be obvious whats wrong?

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Cut the section for the front main off and notch it for the F-body pick-up tube. Its very inexpensive from a dealer new, so only go to it if you're desperate to save $20

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Ok got to tinker with the motor tonight. I saw a guy (zipster) on ls1tech that was able to pull out the water neck on the truck wp out, and was able to plug it with a freeze plug and drill a new hole on the front and insert a threaded pipe. Sooo my brother and I gave it a shot...

The neck is in there pretty tight lol. We took a flat screwdriver and a hammer and made the neck fold in on its self in 3 diffrent places and took some channel locks to and and it wouldnt budge. I then tryed putting the neck in the vice and just kept cranking on it and crushed it a little more, then we started twisting and pulling and it came out.
I havent measured the hole that the neck came out of but i was told there is a freeze plug that will fit. On the boss on the front of the pump you are to drill with a hole saw a 1 1/4" hole and thread a piece of stainless or galvaniized pipe. I was planning on going with th L99 pump but for $20 you can make your trunk pump work if you are on a budget and using the truck acc.
He also showed me a cool way to mount the alt. and I wont have more than $20 in it also. What do yall think about the pump mod???

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

You can see here its close to the wp but there is plenty of room. We didnt have the right size hole saw but i will put pics up when we get it drilled and tapped.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

water pump on

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Another question... what is good to clean that crap off of alum.? I dont want to paint it, im lookin for the natural alum. look

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Ive found a wire brush and degreaser does wonders for nasty cast aluminum

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Ok got to drill on the WP today... I was told 1 1/4" pipe for the pipe for the hose. Well come to find out 1 1/4" pipe thread pipe is bigger than that. We ended up using 1" pipe with 1 1/4" hole saw.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

We used a lot of cutting fluid and the bit stayed sharp. Tip, Drill for a few sec. then pull your bit and clean it. Metal was building up under the bit and it wasnt cutting. Also make sure your hole is perfect center, we were off by just a hair but it didnt matter.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

We also bought a 1" pipe plug to use as the tap. The other guy used one end of the pipe as the tap and cut it off after the hole was threaded and the rest was the water neck. This plug worked out good b/c it has somthin to put a wrench on. We cut the plug with a sawsall and tap oil. We later found out that you need a wider gap to be able to cut better.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Ok got a question... I had to pull a head "broken manifold bolt" to take to the machine shop and it looks like it has cosmetic gaskets. I read that Ls1 head gaskets are identical but can you put MLS on a block that came with cosmetic?

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

No one?

dprest68

iTrader: (1)

I don't see any reason why you couldn't. I would recommend putting on the same gasket that came off of it though (a new one of course) or at least one that has the same thickness. Otherwise is could make your compression ratios a bit different from the other side of the engine. Not sure how that would affect the engine. BTW, it's Cometic gasket!

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Ok I have gotten a lot of stuff ordered and thought i would post an update.

headgaskets
head bolts
intake bolts
intake gaskets
coolant crossover gaskets
valve cover gaskets
injector seal kit
plugs
wires
MAF
upper and lower rad hoses
power steering pressure hose
ex. gaskets
Harness and tune

i still got to order motor mount adaptors and a few other odds and ends but i about got everything together. meeting with a guy tomorrow to pick up a set of manifolds (hard to find a deal).

I will be getting my harness back middle of next week i will post up some pics of all the junk

ransam

iTrader: (2)

I am gathering parts for a 5.3 swap myself and its good to see someone keeping the truck acc. as i would like to myself. Im doing bodywork and paint at the same time so any where i can save money is helpfull. What are you doing about the steam line from head to head? I just set my ls1 intake on and it seems to be hitting. Havnt looked into it too much as i dont have it on a stand yet and it needs disassembled and cleaned anyway but im guessing i can just order one from a dealer or a ls1 and it will line up?

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

My 5.3 has the rear to cross over ports plugged and just the front 2 are connected. The nipple (gigady) that the hose attaches to had to be bent down to clear the intake, its real ez to bend.

I am having a hard time finding a way to plug the hole in the wp where the old water neck was at. I bought one of those rubber freeze plugs today but im not sure if that will hold, and i dont know if the throttle cam will clear the bolt that sticks up from it. I also got a pipe plug and thought about tapping the hole and plugging it with the plug and then cutting off the top of it to make it flush. If the pipe plug idea goes threw i will drill and tap it for the steam line, if not i will use the heater core return port on the rad.

If you need any help just pm me.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Who all used the 4th gen throttle cable? 12565559 part# for cable and 12552278 for bracket

i was just going to get some opinions on this before i order it.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Well i just got them in, I dont think there will be a problem getting them to work.

ps. My harness will be here tomorrow, I will take some pics.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Well i got a few things done. I got my harness in (not happy), I got my water pump welded up, and I also got all my acc. mounted where I will be running them in the car. The way I have my alt. mounted should work ok, my belt size is going to have to be perfect b/c of the way I have mounted it there isnt much room for "stretching the belt", a fbody alt. would make it a lot ezer b/c i could mount it lower but the trucks alt. is longer and it hits the head. I also am going to have to come up with some type of brace for the front of the alt. Im down to just a few things that I need to order and I will be ready to drop this thing in. 02's,upper rad hose,motor mount plates,trans mount, a few fuel line fittings, and my corvette filter and reg. My brother and I have a date set to do this, we are shooting for the first weekend in april. I am planning on taking a a cuple days off and making it a 3 or 4 day weekend.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Got it out last night.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Last night I was able to get the fuel system pretty much done, I am waiting for my filter/reg. to get here and I will be done with fuel.
I also started on some of the wiring, I am going to need to find a pin out for my car to see what wires go to the temp, and oil.
Motor mount plate adaptors and wiring harness should be here today or early next week (had to send back the harness ) and I am going to stab it in. Im lookin to try and start it next weekend.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Well I got my harness in the mail today. I went ahead and put it in. I wasnt able to do the 2" hole saw mod, I ended up having to cut a rectangle out b/c of how my harness is set up. It took me a while to get it all wired up, but all the connections are soldered. I also got to test the fuel pump out and its working great.

At this moment all I need is a fuel filter and motor mount plates and yall get to see a first start video.

POP6482

iTrader: (2)

Awesome...I just finished all my wiring last week and fired it up. Working on looming everything. Still a lot to do but feels good to hear it run.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

I am going to loom mine at the house, The car is at my brotherinlaws shop so im just going to do all the little stuff at the house. Im ready to get it back so i dont have a 30 min drive to work on my car.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Well not that anyone cares but I got it in. With an egine lever I did it by myself in no time. Come to find out the stock tranny crossmember won't work with the 1" set back plates.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

A few pics

dprest68

iTrader: (1)

An engine lever? Are you talking about a cherry picker? What are you going to do about the trany crossmember? Looks like you'll have that thing running in no time.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

No its a leveler you can tilt the engine with it. I plan on cutting the center out of the factory cross memeber and moving it back and welding it up. I hope to start it this weekend.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

IT RUNS!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozTQ1wDfS9c

watch this one before you start telling me it isnt running right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j4-sOOb9B4

I ended up putting the alt. on the drivers side. It ended up being a PIA to tighten the belt, so I made a little bracket and mounted it on the drivers side witch worked out a lot better b/c I was able to use the factory tesnsioner.

dprest68

iTrader: (1)

Ah, a leveler. Okay. Yeah, I have one of those too. Congrats on getting it running. It sounds great!

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

I got the exaust done today and it sounds killer. I love this damn car now... If anyone is having second thoughts about doin the swap just do it.

krzyz

nice job on the engine swap, you got any pics on how you mouted ur alt on the driver side?

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Thanks!

No but I will try to get one tomorrow.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

It has been working great. I still need to cut off that arm that holds the idler pulley but who cares its just a driver.

krzyz

that looks pretty good i may have to look into that for my swap just to keep cost down on brackets.

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

I was going to let you know that won't work, but it looks like you found out anyway. You must have some type of adjustment to set belt tension.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

I had some but it would have been a pita

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...ulators-i.html

Just thought I would add my fuel line issue link to my build.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Update time.

The car is running great I still have a lot of things I need to finish on it to tidy it up but its a whole new car now. My wife, son and I took it on vacation last week to Branson Mo. and have put about 1200 miles on the car in the last week.
On the highway I was AMAZED at the mileage i got.... 30.2 running 70ish mph and 26.5 once we got into the mountains. I never thought I would see over 26 with the 4l60 but I do have 2.73's. I am however still kinda disappointed in the power, its not at all slow but I will be doing some go faster mods in the future. But right now I think i will leave my gas sipper alone and enjoy it.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

Daddy got dual fans