Sonny_T

I have an 85 TA, 305 HO Car, 5 speed. I have seen video posted by ghettocruiser and reading post of many to educate in the process of swapping.

Phase I:

Engine & Transmission Related:
1. Engine-LS1 with AC
2. Transmission: T56
3. Modified existing thirdgen K Member, or buy an aftermarket one that accommodates AC
4. Engine mount bracket
5. Engine mount bushing
6. Transmission Cross member
7. Throttle Cable bracket

Front suspension & brakes related:
Not required. Existing third gen system will do.

Clutch Related:
1. A master cylinder-retro fit.

Exhaust related:
1. Long tube (optional)
2. Y pipe
3. Other pieces of pipe to fit it.

Fuel related:
1. Buy a 4th gen tank with pump in it.
2. Install fuel lines.

Rear suspension:
Not required. Existing third gen system will do.

Differential & Driveshaft:
Not required. Existing third gen system will do.

Questions
1. I have not included any wiring or other electronics, or sensors, or air related stuff, I am thinking to make those as phase II. Am I missing any mechanical & fuel related pieces in phase I?


2. I do not require any other modification of present suspension and brake.


3. If I install 4th gen tank with pump, do I still need regulator, or regulator is within the tank(?). Can I simply remove the old tank and slap 4th gen tank & pump.


4. Issue ghettocruiser had with shifter was nothing to do with TIC master, or slave cylinder. Hence TIC master cylinder is good to use, correct ?



5. For exhaust and with long pipe can I use my existing one catalytic converter and do not need to put two cat in two bank. Correct?

Sonny_T

Long tube: hawks price range is 600 to 1200. Ebay has ranges from 200 to 1400.

Questions (may be silly):
1. Is there different type of long tubes that makes it emission legal, or not? ( I do not mean materials or diameters). As an example some in ebay says 'race tube', is that mean this is made for race where others are not.

2. Price ranges are due to quality of materials , or due to functionality?

3. Can you put only one cat with 'long tube format' to make it street legal.

4. Can I buy a $200 long tube and have the same performance of an $800 of same diameter for at least 2 years, or not?

5. How many O2 sensor do I need to for LS1 to make it street legal. Is it 2, or more. If more, where those goes?

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...k-plastic.html

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

If "street legal" = "emissions legal":

The emissions equipment requirements are based on the engine, not the car. So, you have to have the equipment that the car out of which the engine came had, in the car into which it is swapped. So, what needs to be in your '85 depends upon what you're saying from what the engine came. For instance, if you say it's an LS1 from a '99 Firebird, then it'll have to have EGR; but if you say it's an LS1 from an '01 Firebird, it won't.

But, it isn't likely you'll find emissions-legal long tube headers, because the cats were right after the exhaust manifolds in all the LS1 cars. Even if there were such long tubes out there, you can't fit 4th gen f-body long tube headers in a 3rd gen f-body without major chassis modifications. You might be able to fit cats after Hawks 3rd gen LS long tube headers, but they'll have to be of the type that is legal in the car from which the engine came.

You can, however, fit 4th gen f-body manifold-replacement headers in a 3rd gen, which will allow you to fit 4th gen f-body cats behind them (you'll need custom exhaust work to make this happen).

You'll also have to have the front and rear O2 sensors on each side, the evap system (which makes the 4th gen LS1 tank a good choice), A.I.R. system, etc.

Or, you could just use this for the engine:
http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...rentProductId=

Or, if you want to save about $1500:
http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet+Perf...58008/10002/-1

Sonny_T

Thanks.

Sonny_T

five7: thnx. It is clear now as for as long and short tube and 'street legal'. Can you elaborate on 'front and rear oxygen sensor'. Is that means one near exhaust manifold and other near the end of long tube before entering to Y tube.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

From the factory, the "front" O2 sensors are in or right after the exhaust manifold. The "rear" O2 sensors are behind each cat before the pipes merge.

The front O2 sensors are used to provide mixture ratio feedback to the PCM. The rear O2 sensors monitor cat performance.

Sonny_T

thnx. Understood O2 sensor and evap. Need to read more on LS1 A.I.R system. In any case I have to make my 85 TA street legal in NJ. I will be using it for daily ride.

Sonny_T

Any one has a photo with cat connected to a long tube. Thanks.

88blackiroc

iTrader: (1)

I used a tick master in my car. I recommend installing it prior to engine install, it was a pita to get the supplied bolts started into it.

Sonny_T

Few Questions?

1. Do I have to make hole bigger to put TIC in
2. Do I need to make new holes to put TIC bolts in
3. Do I need to make new holes on FW for new engine wiring harness. (and where)
4. Should I set up the wiring prior to installing engine, or can I do it after putting engine in.
5. Can I just buy tubular K Arm, and rest of the other pieces per front wheel can remain stock and K arm will marry in with stock pieces. Or do I need other modification
As an example I can still use the stock strut, spring, hub, spindle, wheel, calipers, rotors etc.
6. Will buying 'hawkthridgen' trans crossmember is the only piece that I need for tran. Do I need to do any other mod? As i had saw some picture with torque arm attached to trans cross member did not look like came from hawksthridgen.
7. I thought of using long tube, but changed my mind as I did not get any info on 'long tube+cat passing emission'. Thirdgen has some photos with long tube where routing looks poor and not sure if it has cat. So it will definitely be short tube & cat. Historic plate in jersey is not daily driver friendly

Thanks.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

I believe some of the tubular K-members out there for LS allow you to use the factory A-arms, strut mounts, springs, etc. I'll leave it to you to research that with each supplier.

The Hawks LS1/T56 transmission crossmember allows you to use 4th gen tranny and torque arm mounts. As long as you aren't doing 5000 RPM clutch dumps with sticky tires, you'll be okay. Their crossmember does free up exhaust routing options.

It really depends upon how strict your emissions inspection is out there in Jersey. My 2000 LS1/T56 swap into an '82 Berlinetta with LS6 intake, Hawks long tubes with 2-1/2" collectors, Magnaflow 2-1/2" spun cats, 4th gen LS1 plastic tank, sniffed VERY clean, but I didn't have the A.I.R. or EGR system installed, so they failed me for visual. I protested that the engine didn't need that stuff because it was an engine swap (a bit of a stretch, admittedly), so they sent me to a referee station. I was raked over the coals there (very long list of shortcomings), and I just sold the car rather than fuss with it any more. It was that experience that provided the background for my responses above.

If all they do where you live is look for cats and do a sniffer test, you'll probably be fine with a similar setup. BE ADVISED, though, that this does NOT meet Federal emissions rules.

Sonny_T

As I read many good LS1/T56 swap, I was ready to spend, only then I started to pay attention on emission. Jersey has been always tough. Unless you car has ALL required pieces, and can be tweaked to pass emission, you are happy for daily drive, else aggravation with inspection folks can be a losing battle. Once I had fixed my parking break and it was working, but stupid inspector speed up with hands break on as if he was in a race and failed me. He literally damaged the nicely working emergency brake. I had a verbal fight and I lost. I do not want L69, and remembering difficulties on tuning carb for a proper idle was not fun especially in cold Jersey morning. Spenidng 7 to 10k on LS1, and not having assurance on emission is definitely a waste for me. Any how, I have abandoned long tube and am happy with short one provided it passes emission. It seems there has been a lot of successful swap, but very few had details on their experience with emission. May be most were interested in racing only, or live in a place where they have way to circumvent the emission. Still waiting to hear some one from Jersey did the LS1/T56 swap and passed state inspection.