The LSX Swap Build Thread
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Took carriage I built for transporting car to and from paint shop and turned it into a engine/trans carriage. Waiting on paint to dry on trans housing then hooking up to engine and then going to lower car onto assembly and bolt in.
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
I am basically running the same set-up (with the UMI solid mounts) and just a heads up, I would make sure you leave your k-member and engine mount brackets loose until you get your transmission aligned where you want it. Specifically, the shifter location. What trans crossmember are you running? I would strongly recommend the Holley unit as this was the only cross member I could find that finally got my entire drivetrain in alignment with the car. I fought this for the longest time and spent way too much money on trans cross members.
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
I am basically running the same set-up (with the UMI solid mounts) and just a heads up, I would make sure you leave your k-member and engine mount brackets loose until you get your transmission aligned where you want it. Specifically, the shifter location. What trans crossmember are you running? I would strongly recommend the Holley unit as this was the only cross member I could find that finally got my entire drivetrain in alignment with the car. I fought this for the longest time and spent way too much money on trans cross members.
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Update: Just talked to Hawks and they say what I have is the exact setup they used on a 87 Formula currently in their shop and all fits well. We will see.
#159
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
No factory assembled cars are perfect, and all vary quite a bit. So some parts may fit better on some cars compared to others.
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Certainly there is variability and it only compounds itself with aftermarket parts (which are often developed and fixtured off OEM locations using a small sample of parts, thus exacerbating the effect of variation). That being said, be prepared to have nothing just align perfect. Some of my observed issues was with oil pan clearance, but with the holley unit I was able to more accurately locate the trans which helped rotate my engine in the mounts. It seemed far more precise than the hawks and BMR units. I wouldn't be surprised if Holley had GM drawings/math data, whereas most aftermarket company's reverse engineer their fixtures (which is not a bad thing per say), just might make things more frustrating come assembly time.
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Talked to Hawks today. Had a issue with crossmember not fitting correctly. Turns out driver side frame rail has a bulge/curve built into it from the factory. So instead of doing some massaging on my freshly painted underbody, I’m going to plasma cut one ear off the crossmember and that should solve problem. Bruce at Hawks was very helpful and like Shifty said, some things just don’t always fit perfect.
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
I used to have one of those. Really hard to live with on the street. Smacked everything on the road, and sometimes smacked the road itself. Ended up cutting it out after a year and cannibalized it to build a custom torque arm.
You can see how low it is in the picture linked below (post #519). Can't express how bad it was to live with. It would be only a matter of time until serious damage occurs to the car when the bar finally runs up against an immovable object. Couldn't drive onto the alignment rack at the tire shop. Couldn't drive onto my own trailer.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...ml#post6049860
You can see how low it is in the picture linked below (post #519). Can't express how bad it was to live with. It would be only a matter of time until serious damage occurs to the car when the bar finally runs up against an immovable object. Couldn't drive onto the alignment rack at the tire shop. Couldn't drive onto my own trailer.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...ml#post6049860
Last edited by QwkTrip; 02-20-2020 at 12:54 AM.
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Car: 1985 Iroc-Z
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Axle/Gears: 3.55 Wavetrac
Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
I used to have one of those. Really hard to live with on the street. Smacked everything on the road, and sometimes smacked the road itself. Ended up cutting it out after a year and cannibalized it to build a custom torque arm.
You can see how low it is in the picture linked below (post #519). Can't express how bad it was to live with. It would be only a matter of time until serious damage occurs to the car when the bar finally runs up against an immovable object. Couldn't drive onto the alignment rack at the tire shop. Couldn't drive onto my own trailer.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...ml#post6049860
You can see how low it is in the picture linked below (post #519). Can't express how bad it was to live with. It would be only a matter of time until serious damage occurs to the car when the bar finally runs up against an immovable object. Couldn't drive onto the alignment rack at the tire shop. Couldn't drive onto my own trailer.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...ml#post6049860
#165
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Sure. It's an incredibly well-made product. Just couldn't live with it long term.
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Remaking crossmember. Then to powder coat. Then maybe I can get this drivetrain in.
#168
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Fitting and bending/flaring new brake lines to rear diff. Went with PowerMaster starter as it fit under Stainless Works headers. Still waiting for my crossmember from powder coat. Then car will have to sit for a few weeks. Having cataract surgery on both eyes back to back. No lifting, straining, etc. till I recover. Good thing is I won’t have to wear glasses again except for possibly reading. More delays. But that’s how life goes. Stay tuned.
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
OK. All eye surgery done. A few more days and then I can start getting work done on my car. Hope all are well, this China Virus(not a racist term), has got the world in a frenzy. Hope all of my fellow ThirdGen peeps are staying well, and don't get sick. Stay tuned.
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Well, I'll tell ya.... I worked from home all last week, I've got a window office now, wore sweatpants every day, got 4x more work done than normal, ate nothing but fantastic scratch cooked meals, and lost 5 pounds. I've even considered exercising (still just under consideration though). Two more months of this and I'll be on the cover of Health magazine.
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Well, I'll tell ya.... I worked from home all last week, I've got a window office now, wore sweatpants every day, got 4x more work done than normal, ate nothing but fantastic scratch cooked meals, and lost 5 pounds. I've even considered exercising (still just under consideration though). Two more months of this and I'll be on the cover of Health magazine.
#175
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Finally back working on car. Rebuilding A/C -heater air box. Blasted “doors” with soda blaster to remove old foam materials and replaced with 3/16” closed cell foam. Replaced heater core.
Works great. Tested all vacuum valves with vacuum pump, all holding. Just need to button up an that’s done.
Works great. Tested all vacuum valves with vacuum pump, all holding. Just need to button up an that’s done.
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scooter (03-31-2020)
#176
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Yeah now is definitely the time to change the heater core weather it needs it or not. Save you the hassle of crawling under the dash and cursing hose clamps...
is the foam you're using sticky back or are you glueing it down?
is the foam you're using sticky back or are you glueing it down?
#177
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Glued it using spray aerosol adhesive. All door foam is new.
#178
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Ok cool. I need to replace some of mine. I melted a little during welding cage bars. I was thinking of just that. Spray adhesive. Ill probably give it a go too. Thanks
#179
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Finished installing new fuel lines from rear to front. Stainless lines are a PITA. Had to reroute due to LSX swap and different type of crossmember. On and off several times to get it right. Next going to install engine/trans assy. Wish me luck.
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Starting engine/trans install. By myself. Getting my 10,000 steps in today.
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#183
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Which valve covers are those? I am hoping to run the tall holley ones to clear my YT rockers but I dont think its going to clear the stock AC HVAC fan assembly.
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Don’t know what brand name the valve covers are. Came with engine. They are powder coated billet.
#185
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Had to do some more modifications to the crossmember. PITA. Also have to make a spacer between it and the rear trans mount. Engine and trans sit a bit higher with the UMI K-member and mounts.
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
I don't know who really makes those valve covers but LME sells them. Katech also sells tall valve covers with a coil relocation kit.
I asked a Marine shop what it would cost to reshape my AC box and it was surprisingly inexpensive. Never did it, but that is another option.
I asked a Marine shop what it would cost to reshape my AC box and it was surprisingly inexpensive. Never did it, but that is another option.
#187
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Well I got them from LME. They built the engine. Didn’t know LME sold them.
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Well I hit a snag. Can’t get enough front to rear movement on the engine due to the front of the oil pan hitting the k-member. Currently have the F-Body LS-1 pan on engine. Looks like I’ll need the Holley retro one. The pan I have is supposed to have plenty clearance for the UMI K-member. NOT! Back to square one.
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Well I hit a snag. Can’t get enough front to rear movement on the engine due to the front of the oil pan hitting the k-member. Currently have the F-Body LS-1 pan on engine. Looks like I’ll need the Holley retro one. The pan I have is supposed to have plenty clearance for the UMI K-member. NOT! Back to square one.
#192
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Well I hit a snag. Can’t get enough front to rear movement on the engine due to the front of the oil pan hitting the k-member. Currently have the F-Body LS-1 pan on engine. Looks like I’ll need the Holley retro one. The pan I have is supposed to have plenty clearance for the UMI K-member. NOT! Back to square one.
#193
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Can’t use the Holley crossmember due to using the 2” Stainless Works headers. Wish it was that easy.
#194
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Need to move engine forward but getting stopped by oil pan hitting K-member. Or is there some wiggle room on the K-member itself? I squared it up with the guide pins and bolted it in.
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Oh, the joys of aftermarket parts. I ended up making my own trans crossmember and torque arm because of stuff like this. Well, I didn't do it, I paid somebody.
On the bright side, you're having fun tinkering in the garage in beautiful Spring weather.
On the bright side, you're having fun tinkering in the garage in beautiful Spring weather.
#197
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Just asking... You arent using UMI motor mounts right? Could that be something to look at?
#199
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Need more forward movement of the engine. Pan is butted up against k member. Going to take a break and reavaluate Monday.
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Re: The LSX Swap Build Thread
Do you actually want the engine to move in the engine bay, or are you just trying to line up the trans mount to the newly painted crossmember?
I fought and fought and fought with my BMR k-member trying to get the Hawks trans mount to line up. Finally reversed things and took a die grinder to the trans mount and the bolt slipped right thru. I'm famous for 5 minute fixes that take me a month to figure out.
I fought and fought and fought with my BMR k-member trying to get the Hawks trans mount to line up. Finally reversed things and took a die grinder to the trans mount and the bolt slipped right thru. I'm famous for 5 minute fixes that take me a month to figure out.
Last edited by QwkTrip; 04-11-2020 at 02:13 PM.