89 IROC-Z... LS1 & T56 build
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Car: 89 IROC-Z
Engine: 355ci SBC
Transmission: TH700R4 - 2500 stall
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9 bolt
89 IROC-Z... LS1 & T56 build
Figured I'd jump on the bandwagon and add my swap to the list on here. My car started life as a B2L 350 car with an auto Trans, dark red metallic paint and nearly loaded with options. I actually traded a 98 Z-28 even for this car a couple years ago. It was in decent shape and ran well, but like it goes with this hobby... Stock isn't good enough.
So I sent the car to a local body shop to get a complete tear down and base/clear paint job. They did excellent work... added a burnt orange tint to the paint which made it Inferno Red Metallic. It really pops in the sunlight... Well on the way home from the body shop my transmission looses overdrive. So I pull it out, trying to decide what to do... LSX & T56.
I've owned several fast LS1 4th gens... So it was a no brainer to install my favorite powertrain into my favorite car. But it's an expensive swap and has taken me almost a year to get to this point. Anyway, here's the car...
So I sent the car to a local body shop to get a complete tear down and base/clear paint job. They did excellent work... added a burnt orange tint to the paint which made it Inferno Red Metallic. It really pops in the sunlight... Well on the way home from the body shop my transmission looses overdrive. So I pull it out, trying to decide what to do... LSX & T56.
I've owned several fast LS1 4th gens... So it was a no brainer to install my favorite powertrain into my favorite car. But it's an expensive swap and has taken me almost a year to get to this point. Anyway, here's the car...
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Car: 89 IROC-Z
Engine: 355ci SBC
Transmission: TH700R4 - 2500 stall
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9 bolt
Re: 89 IROC-Z... LS1 & T56 build
This is the car when I first got it... Still looked good for its age. And that dark red metallic is a sharp color.
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Car: 89 IROC-Z
Engine: 355ci SBC
Transmission: TH700R4 - 2500 stall
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9 bolt
Re: 89 IROC-Z... LS1 & T56 build
Managed to trade my 05 Honda CBR 600 even for a clean 99 Z-28. This would be used as my donor car. I pulled the engine, wiring and all belt driven accessories to use on my 89. Turned around and sold the body as a roller which in turn paid for my T56. This is by far the best way to do a swap...
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Car: 89 IROC-Z
Engine: 355ci SBC
Transmission: TH700R4 - 2500 stall
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9 bolt
Re: 89 IROC-Z... LS1 & T56 build
Once the motor was out I pulled a valve cover to check to see how clean the engine was... It was nasty. Looked as if the oil was never changed.
Decided to tear it down and freshen it up...
Decided to tear it down and freshen it up...
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Car: 89 IROC-Z
Engine: 355ci SBC
Transmission: TH700R4 - 2500 stall
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9 bolt
Re: 89 IROC-Z... LS1 & T56 build
Bored it out to a 3.905 with Speed Pro flat top Pistons. Clevite H series bearings, ARP rod bolts, etc...
Cam is a Comp LSR 227-235/614-621 lift on a 113LSA. Using Comp Magnum pushrods, LS7 lifters and LS2 trays.
Heads are 799 LS6 style heads. Using Brian Tooley .660 dual springs and had a 3 angle valve job.
Kept the stock LS1 intake for now as I plan on buying a Maggie in the near future.
Cam is a Comp LSR 227-235/614-621 lift on a 113LSA. Using Comp Magnum pushrods, LS7 lifters and LS2 trays.
Heads are 799 LS6 style heads. Using Brian Tooley .660 dual springs and had a 3 angle valve job.
Kept the stock LS1 intake for now as I plan on buying a Maggie in the near future.
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Car: 89 IROC-Z
Engine: 355ci SBC
Transmission: TH700R4 - 2500 stall
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9 bolt
Re: 89 IROC-Z... LS1 & T56 build
I'm using a Painless extra long LS swap harness. Hawks fuel lines and regulator and 1-3/4 stainless long tubes.
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#8
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Re: 89 IROC-Z... LS1 & T56 build
Looks great man, I'm jealous lol. I'm doing pretty much the same (LS1/T56 into a red '89 Iroc) but I have to work with California SMOG regulations.
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Car: 89 IROC-Z
Engine: 355ci SBC
Transmission: TH700R4 - 2500 stall
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9 bolt
Re: 89 IROC-Z... LS1 & T56 build
I bet that makes it quite a bit harder doesn't it? Thankfully in Georgia I don't have to worry about emissions. Regardless though this swap will be worth your time. Well worth the money too
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Car: 89 IROC-Z
Engine: 355ci SBC
Transmission: TH700R4 - 2500 stall
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9 bolt
Re: 89 IROC-Z... LS1 & T56 build
How do you guys hook your two vacuum lines that come from the firewall near the A/C box? Do you run them to a T then to the vacuum port on the rear of the LS1 intake?
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Car: 89 IROC-Z
Engine: 355ci SBC
Transmission: TH700R4 - 2500 stall
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9 bolt
Re: 89 IROC-Z... LS1 & T56 build
And how are you guys mounting your ECM? There isn't much room behind the dash with all the HVAC duct work. The only way I can see to make it fit is to remove the passenger side A/C duct. I'm using a Painless harness so the fuse block is practically right next to the ECM connectors. Just looking for ideas...
#12
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Re: 89 IROC-Z... LS1 & T56 build
Oh yes it does and on top of that pretty much all the guides here include removing all the smog equipment and I may have been a little hasty in my laziness of not doing my own due diligence and research.
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Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: Supercharged 6.0
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 3.73
Re: 89 IROC-Z... LS1 & T56 build
The strait end went to the heater core bypass valve. Cap this one
The 90* was vacuum for the HVAC system. Hook this to the rear of the intake
And how are you guys mounting your ECM? There isn't much room behind the dash with all the HVAC duct work. The only way I can see to make it fit is to remove the passenger side A/C duct. I'm using a Painless harness so the fuse block is practically right next to the ECM connectors. Just looking for ideas...
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Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: Turbo 5.3
Transmission: 4l80e
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"
Re: 89 IROC-Z... LS1 & T56 build
Really good looking car and swap. I see you're using the LS1 coil packs and brackets and still have the AC condenser box. How did you get that to fit? Mine hit on the back and wasn't able to be bolted on.
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Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 10bolt w3.42 Torsen
Re: 89 IROC-Z... LS1 & T56 build
I tried for over a year to trade my '04 1000RR for one! My bike is CLEAN!! And low miles. They all said 1 of 2 things. 1. "Not interested in trades". or 2. "I'm not into sport bikes, if it was a Harley I might be interested". I did get a couple guys who were interested but decided no because they were scared of the liter bike! lol I finally just bought a parts car and kept the bike!! Was a lot of fun to have while the car was down!
Swap is looking great!!
Swap is looking great!!
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Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 10bolt w3.42 Torsen
Re: 89 IROC-Z... LS1 & T56 build
I trimmed the end of the bracket and bent it so the coil angled towards the valve cover. Got the idea form a guy on here. Sorry but I can't remember who. Found it with the advanced search feature.
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