LTX and LSXPutting LT1's, LS1's, and their variants into Third Gens is becoming more popular. This board is for those who are doing and have done the swaps so they can discuss all of their technical aspects, including repairs, swap info, and performance upgrades.
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Well it has finally started! I picked up my engine from a member on the boards here. We met in Des Moines and did the transfer of the engine into a minivan!! It was a very interesting ride back here to chicago but we made it in 1 piece! The problem was getting the engine/trans from the minivan to the ground without an engine hoist! So we took some straps we had tied it to a concrete post then to the engine and pulled forward until it was teetering on the edge, then wiggled it onto some flat stumps I had laying around. Talk about a crazy way of doing it! But thats all we had at the time. So after 30 min of jigging it around it is out and waiting to be put in the car. Here is a list of parts I have:
2002 Ls1 w/56K
T56 Tranny
4th gen Rear End
KYB shocks/struts = 130$
Eibach Sportlines = 210$
Hawks engine mounts = 80$
4th Gen Steel driveshaft
Computer
Wiring harness
4th gen fuel tank
fuel lines
radiator
4th gen dual fans
Skulte performance crossmember = 200$
Total = 4400$ (so far)
I figure as long as the engine is out i will upgrade the cam and heads but still researching which ones to go with. I also need the spacers for the wheels to fit correctly....
Here are some pics of the beginning stages, will post more as I begin the swap in the next couple of weeks!!
Well I finally got the swap underway and it was a pain in the *** to get the engine in there!! We pulled a 24 hr non stop swap in it was finally in. The hardest part was getting at the bolts to undo the engine mounts that were in there from the v6, so we took off the a-arms to access them easier then put in the new ones with polyurethane engine mounts and after about 5 hrs of the engine hanging in the air and jimmying it around and cursing its mother, it was in!!! Fits like a glove once it is in but i would highly recommend to anyone doing the swap take all suspension components off first! Then we bolted up the Skulte crossmember for the tranny mount, it looks awesome, lots of room the hawks headers and the true duals that are currently being worked on! Just took the rear end out and am working on the fuel tank and gas lines today so this weekend i should start bolting everything back up, then its on to the wiring! So hopefully by mid august should be up and running!! engine swap 1.jpg
So now everything is off the car and am piecing it back together starting with the gas tank, then putting in the rear end, then drive shaft, then front suspension, then headers and exhaust, then fire up the engine! Here are the latest pics.....
I picked up my engine from a member on the boards here. We met in Des Moines and did the transfer of the engine into a minivan!! It was a very interesting ride back here to chicago but we made it in 1 piece! The problem was getting the engine/trans from the minivan to the ground without an engine hoist! So we took some straps we had tied it to a concrete post then to the engine and pulled forward until it was teetering on the edge, then wiggled it onto some flat stumps I had laying around. Talk about a crazy way of doing it!
Heh - THAT brings back a few memories!! When I ordered my engine, I had no way of knowing that we'd need to trade in our pickup two days before the engine arrived...
When I went to get my engine, the only remotely-usable vehicle available was a little Jeep Liberty... So, we folded the rear seats down, used a forklift (& a good bit of "body english") to load it in - it was really tight at the top, it nearly didn't even make it in. Fortunately the ride home was uneventful.
Getting it out & onto the concrete floor was a challenge, especially since I didn't have an engine hoist or anyone to help out. Finally one of my local F-buds came over around 9pm, & between the two of us, we were able to wrestle it out. We wound up using a refrigerator dolly as a ramp, & carefully slid it down to the floor that way...
Nice to see another swap in progress, good luck with it!
As you can see i had to notch a little bit of the frame to get the t56 to fit in nice, but now that it is in its like it was meant to be!
Now i am just waiting on gm to get the fuel level indicator bracket so my 3rd gen gauges will read correctly. I ran the fuel line but havent fastened it down yet till the tank is actually up in there... I just put the spohn LCA's and adjustable panhard bar on the rear end so just waiting now basically for that little piece to come in.........
fuel level indicator bracket? You mean the fuel pump canister? I just had to rig mine since I whittled it away trying to use a universal. If you're getting the canister, can you post the part number for it...so I can order it when my rigging wears out?
fuel level indicator bracket? You mean the fuel pump canister? I just had to rig mine since I whittled it away trying to use a universal. If you're getting the canister, can you post the part number for it...so I can order it when my rigging wears out?
He's refering to the fuel level sender on the side of the LS1 pump assy. if you use a sender from like a 97 grand prix it's a direct swap and then the 3rd gen fuel guage will read correctly.
It was a very interesting ride back here to chicago but we made it in 1 piece! The problem was getting the engine/trans from the minivan to the ground without an engine hoist! So we took some straps we had tied it to a concrete post then to the engine and pulled forward until it was teetering on the edge, then wiggled it onto some flat stumps I had laying around. Talk about a crazy way of doing it! 
But thats all we had at the time. So after 30 min of jigging it around it is out and waiting to be put in the car. Here is a list of parts I have:
When I ordered my engine, I had no way of knowing that we'd need to trade in our pickup two days before the engine arrived... 
