I just began my LSx swap. :smile: I am replacing the current 305 tpi and 700r4 with a 5.3L LM7 and a 4L60e. Hopefully this will be done for the warm weather. Here is the new engine and trans waiting to go in. Here is the car’s home for the next few months. Random interior shot.

I started with a running, driving car.



And it begins.



The swap is already done!



Here's where I left off until this weekend.

It would be interesting to see a "LS1-styled" intake on a 1st gen block. Obviously a whole new port redesign would be needed to match up, but the top could still look almost the same.

I'm surprised nobody makes an "LS1 style" manifold for the gen 1.

There is, its called the TPI

TPI has the plenum on top, LS1 has the plenum on bottom. Both are LTR setups. LS1s were designed for the 5.7 engine so they flow quite well for them. TPIs were designed for 305's so they flow good for them and nothing else

We understand that.

We were referring to a lower plenum/upper runner intake (LS1-style) on a Gen 1 block.

I've wondered the same thing as Stephen.

It's been a while since I posted about my swap. The old engine has been out since mid January. I opened up the new engine which had been sitting in the garage for a while.





Tried the magnetic pen trick for the lifters, but broke a piece off and couldn't get to it. So the heads come off.





Old cam out.





LS6 cam in.

Got the LS6 springs installed. I removed the AC and have a non-AC heater box going in. Also started priming parts for paint. I'm still waiting on head gaskets and oil pan parts before the engine can go in.

that is a trick little spring compressor!!! where can i get one?

keep the pictures coming. happy to see more LSx swaps!

A guy on LS1tech sells that tool. Search ls1tech for "tims tool". I have one and it works great.

Thunder Racing makes something similar as well.

http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog...id=89&pcid=171

Grab some 1/4 plate and a torch to make it yourself

i'm liking this idea best

Slow progress. Got the heads back on. Getting ready to install the oil pan, paint the engine, and start making the harness.

VHT coating on the 2001 TA exhaust manifolds. Here's a before and after.



The oil pan is on and the engine is painted.



Color is Rust Oleum universal red.



LS6 intake painted Rust Oleum aluminum color.







Pretty much ready to drop in next weekend.

Why didnt you leave the heads natural? Most do.

Looks nice, although I would have left the heads as their regular aluminum color. I'd also do a thorough cleaning of the engine bay before that puppy goes in.
Just my

I like the look of painted heads better than just a painted shortblock. I do have my work cut out for me in terms of the engine bay. It will get a good cleaning, and it still needs the new mounts installed.

Personally, I prefer the look of natural aluminum, even with a painted block, but it ain't my car. . .

Most do, makes you think it has some iron heads like that.

My engine is painted orange block + heads and it looks great with the polished TPI on top! I would have gone with a polished LS6 intake tho!

you figure out a way to polish a plastic intake and you let us know how that works for ya!

What kinda Reward do I get, if I tell you how to?

plating and polishing are two different things in my book...in general, plated or coated plastics look cheesy...

Yes but......

This finish is not a spray paint or vacuum metalizing. This finish is the combination of special catalyzed base coatings; a silver metal deposition (similar to the material used in mirrors) and a protective acrylic urethane top coat (similar to the industrial clear coat on your car). The combined layers result in a durable non peeling coating that will not flake or yellow. Yes, the finished surface will accept conventional paints to enable striping, accenting with graphics or airbrushing.

could be cool. the biggest thing i hate is the paint chipping off of plastic stuff...

Have the intake powder coated chrome

Yes, the composite intakes can be powder coated

The engine and trans went in as a unit.

I had to sit through an extremely dull meeting earlier this week, and during that time, my mind drifted to thoughts of the LS1-styled SBC intake. I even drew pictures in my notes.

The conclusion that I've come to, is that there would be at least two major issues to overcome:

The first is that the water neck will interfere with a throttle body. The solution here is probably to offset the throttle body to the passenger side, but that may impact runner placement to some extent.

The second, is also coolant related. The SBC routes coolant through the intake. The LS1 does not. I'm not sure that you can put the plenum as far down on an SBC as an LS1 because you need to route the coolant through it. Likewise, that hot coolant right under the plenum will heat up the incoming air charge more than in a TPI system, which has the plenum set way above the coolant with a huge air gap in between.

My other question is just how much of a role does the intake manifold play on the overall strength of a small block motor? From what I can see, other than holding the distributer in place, there really isn't much of a need for an iron or aluminum intake. I'm kind of surprised that somebody hasn't started making conventional-style SBC intakes out of plastic.

Someday when I have huge amounts of extra time and money (i.e. never), maybe I'll start experimenting with some fiberglass mockups.