LSA in a 91 Camaro
#1
LSA in a 91 Camaro
I have wanted to do this for a long time but didn't quite have the money. I am retired and can afford to do this but wondering if anyone here has done it and any special problems I may run in to over a ls1 or 3 swap. I am talking about the supercharged one in the ctsv. Can someone tell me if the engine externals are basically the same as far as what accessories can go on the front of the engine. Thanks in advance.
Last edited by porkenstein; 04-03-2014 at 05:07 PM.
#2
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Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: Supercharged 6.0
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 3.73
Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
The long block is a basic LSx, nothing special. Both ZL1 camaro and CTS-V LSA's are wet sump, so no huge tank to store and any common LSx pan (Fbody or corvette) will fit without issue
Main hurdles I can see are FEAD fitment, especially around the steering box and factory hood clearance for the blower, which may not be an issue since GM designed these inverted blower boxes to fit in low hoodline cars
I had to move my current blower setup 1" forward to clear the wiper motor and AC comp-A arm box, which again wasnt a big deal and off-the-shelf parts still exist to do so, I was too cheap to buy what I could fabricate for free
Main hurdles I can see are FEAD fitment, especially around the steering box and factory hood clearance for the blower, which may not be an issue since GM designed these inverted blower boxes to fit in low hoodline cars
I had to move my current blower setup 1" forward to clear the wiper motor and AC comp-A arm box, which again wasnt a big deal and off-the-shelf parts still exist to do so, I was too cheap to buy what I could fabricate for free
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Car: 02 SS
Engine: 408 TT (1108rw-93/m1)6700rpm
Transmission: TH400(slipping)
Axle/Gears: 12bolt/3.42(whines😠)
Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
the lsa has better than normal ls crank. its forged. unlike the stock common 3.622 crank.
the lsa heads are slightly heavier by 2-3lb. than a common ls3/l92.
have a wing in the intake.port and are of a better roto cast casting process.
if you really have to have a lsa. prolly make sense to build a lsa crank with forged rods/pistons. the stock are not forged. but the lsa crank prolly cost as much as a eagle stroker crank.
i was kinda in the same boat. i was originally gonna go with a stock 4.8,
but im gonna push it hard, very hard, and the thought of the stock gm motor coming apart, didnt sit well. dont get off on destroying good motors for kicks. and factored in the reliabilty and capacity and it made sense at least to me to overbuild.
coated bearings, main studs,head studs, coated pistons,blueprinted everything.
build my own stuff. do save a few bux there. built this thing to take 7500rpm shifts and up to 30psi max, but doubt my sc will ever.make that. should take 1000hp reliably.
just if youre set on buying a crate lsa motor, consider a forged shop built motor. prolly come in or even lower on the price over a gm crate motor.
lsa in zl1 and v use a electric ps pump iirc
the lsa heads are slightly heavier by 2-3lb. than a common ls3/l92.
have a wing in the intake.port and are of a better roto cast casting process.
if you really have to have a lsa. prolly make sense to build a lsa crank with forged rods/pistons. the stock are not forged. but the lsa crank prolly cost as much as a eagle stroker crank.
i was kinda in the same boat. i was originally gonna go with a stock 4.8,
but im gonna push it hard, very hard, and the thought of the stock gm motor coming apart, didnt sit well. dont get off on destroying good motors for kicks. and factored in the reliabilty and capacity and it made sense at least to me to overbuild.
coated bearings, main studs,head studs, coated pistons,blueprinted everything.
build my own stuff. do save a few bux there. built this thing to take 7500rpm shifts and up to 30psi max, but doubt my sc will ever.make that. should take 1000hp reliably.
just if youre set on buying a crate lsa motor, consider a forged shop built motor. prolly come in or even lower on the price over a gm crate motor.
lsa in zl1 and v use a electric ps pump iirc
#5
Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
I am not going to modify the lsa. I got one out of a new CTS V with only 1200 miles on it and also got the 6 speed manual out of it. Hardly broken in. With Long Tube headers and free flowing exhaust that will be plenty of power for me. I love the fact of all the power and total driveability. I will start posting some photos as I get going on the project.
#6
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Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: Supercharged 6.0
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 3.73
Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
The Cadillac T56 will pose quite a few challenges just getting it in the car. Call up a reputable T56 shop and see whats ahead of you. There was a thread about it recently here
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Car: 02 SS
Engine: 408 TT (1108rw-93/m1)6700rpm
Transmission: TH400(slipping)
Axle/Gears: 12bolt/3.42(whines😠)
Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
I am not going to modify the lsa. I got one out of a new CTS V with only 1200 miles on it and also got the 6 speed manual out of it. Hardly broken in. With Long Tube headers and free flowing exhaust that will be plenty of power for me. I love the fact of all the power and total driveability. I will start posting some photos as I get going on the project.
comes with pcm/harness.
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#8
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Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: Supercharged 6.0
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 3.73
Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
Thats not a bad price considering new they are over double that and camaro LS3 dropouts are commonly 8-10k without the blower
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Car: 02 SS
Engine: 408 TT (1108rw-93/m1)6700rpm
Transmission: TH400(slipping)
Axle/Gears: 12bolt/3.42(whines😠)
Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
i guess it may be a good price considering.
but i prefer to not drop 8k$.lol
i will have around 8-10k$ total in my car with a bullet proof 410ci.
i seen its a good deal considering the current prices.
gmpartshouse.com will sell u the complete sc and even in pieces. cool gm parts site. have a exploded view of the lsa sc with every single component neefed
but i prefer to not drop 8k$.lol
i will have around 8-10k$ total in my car with a bullet proof 410ci.
i seen its a good deal considering the current prices.
gmpartshouse.com will sell u the complete sc and even in pieces. cool gm parts site. have a exploded view of the lsa sc with every single component neefed
#10
Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
Just a little update. I realize this is way beyond my skill level so the car will be headed to Bruce at Hawks 3rd Gen for the job. He hasn't done an LSA in a 3rd gen and is pretty excited about doing it. Photos to follow as he provides them to me.
#11
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Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
This shall be quite the build if its in Bruces hands now.I expect a clean job followed by another tease youtube vid from Bruce of the car on the dyno making a pull lol.
#14
Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
I have had a nightmare time with Passport Transport. My Camaro only has 11k miles on it so I am shipping it to Hawks with Passport transport Enclosed. I have used them before and they are great but not this time. I have called everyday and always get a different story. They are finally today picking my car up and taking it to Hawks. Bruce will be on vacation from the 4th to the 14th so right after that I should start being able to post some photos.
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#21
Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
It's going to have Hawks headers and exhaust system, probably a Moser rear end and some suspension work though not sure what I will do until I talk to Bruce again. I am getting very excited. Other than headers I am going for a look that it looks like it's exactly the way Chevy would have made it from the factory.
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Car: 88 Firebird Formula
Engine: 350
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt 3.45
Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
Can't wait to see how this turns out. I could only imagine how much fun that would be to drive. Keep us updated!
#25
Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
Just a few more images. What a beautiful clean job Hawks does. They are real masters. Waiting on wiring harness, heavy duty rear end, drive shaft, wheels and tires and who knows what else. Getting very exciting.
Last edited by porkenstein; 01-24-2014 at 11:29 PM.
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Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
Haha I saw that too when I was looking to see how they handled the exhaust/crossmember etc. I figured maybe it was because it was the cadi trans? Maybe I missed that it was swapped for an F-body unit...I dont see my trans from that angle very often so I cant tell which it is haha.
Looks AWESOME though! Nice and clean. The car was nice and clean to begin with. So the outcome should be the same!
J.
Looks AWESOME though! Nice and clean. The car was nice and clean to begin with. So the outcome should be the same!
J.
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Car: 89 formula 350
Engine: ls1 magnuson tvs2300 supercharger
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 4.11 Dana 44!
Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
looking back at my build, I wish I would have thought about doing something like this....I have almost $6k into my blower alone!
#36
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Car: 89 formula 350
Engine: ls1 magnuson tvs2300 supercharger
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 4.11 Dana 44!
Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
now that I actually read this thread, I saw this car at hawks a few months ago. I was very impressed with the quality of their workmanship on this swap. They said there was a decent amount of hurdles to clear being that noone has done this swap before.
#37
Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
Haha I saw that too when I was looking to see how they handled the exhaust/crossmember etc. I figured maybe it was because it was the cadi trans? Maybe I missed that it was swapped for an F-body unit...I dont see my trans from that angle very often so I cant tell which it is haha.
Looks AWESOME though! Nice and clean. The car was nice and clean to begin with. So the outcome should be the same!
J.
Looks AWESOME though! Nice and clean. The car was nice and clean to begin with. So the outcome should be the same!
J.
#38
Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
Here are a few more photos. It's basically done except for new rear end, different pulleys to boost the supercharge pressure by about 5 pounds, and wheels and tires. You can see all the pictures so are at www.91zl1rs.com
Last edited by porkenstein; 04-03-2014 at 05:11 PM.
#42
Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
Chrome ZR1 wheels, 11 inch on back and 9.5 on front. The tires in the rear will be Micky Thompson 315/35R17 drag radials and probably 275's on the front but haven't decided on the exact tire. Biggest problem I will have is traction as I don't have the new goodies such as traction control on the beast but it will take a little more skill than just punching the pedal. More fun than a person can legally have with a car. Nice looking 85 you have buddy.
#44
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Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
That's REALLY nice. Can't wait to see 1/4 times.
#47
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Re: LSA in a 91 Camaro
Wow... Just wow... That car is flat out gorgeous.
Ive been drooling over Camaro Verts for a while now. Kind of want one in stock form just to drop the top on and cruise. And an auto so my wife wont be scared of it haha.
I love that color/stripe combo you picked! Car looks amazing and I bet that sucker is FUN on the street!!!
J.
Ive been drooling over Camaro Verts for a while now. Kind of want one in stock form just to drop the top on and cruise. And an auto so my wife wont be scared of it haha.
I love that color/stripe combo you picked! Car looks amazing and I bet that sucker is FUN on the street!!!
J.