Yo guys imlookin to convert my 90 RS 3.1 to the new LS1 engine. So far in what ive read this seems to be a very difficult swap. According to what ive researched online the only major problems im goingto have are making custom motor mounts and the wireing. From what ive read people are saying that you cant use the factory guages in my 90 with thels1 enigne. Is this true? If anyone could give me any information at all on this swap iwould greatly appreciate it.

 

well i take it either nobody knows anything about it or they djust plain dont wan to help

 

Sorry I can't help you try looking over at www.ls1.com

 

Oh yeah..and there is a sticky at the top of this motor swap board with information and links as well.

 

You can use factory guages. The speedometer situation will be dictated by the year of your car. Earlier camaros did not use vss until the late 80's/early 90's.

There are several wiring kits available. Thus far your mounts will have to be custom fabricated.

BILL

 

thanks for the info fellas that helped out quite a bit. I was lookin at a website speartech.com wich showed me the actual puttin in and bolting up of the motor. he makes his own wireing kits from what i can see. Are there any other companis out there that make thease wireing kits?

 

Here is a link. I used to know of another. I will post when I find the link

http://www.painlesswiring.com/harness4.htm

BILL

 

ok you guys really need to get your asses over to ls1tech.com that site has helped me out so much with questions on this swap. check this link. www.speartech.com the guy doesnt have much time to talk but if you have questions i can answer them for youprobably with the 20 page book i ahve on this swap. thirdgen resources is going to be offering the motor mount kit if they dont have them already. call roy over there and he will let you know how much they are. any other questions. yes the guages can be used jsut have to recalibrate the tach. all the guages work. this is from john at speartech.com "You can use the stock gauges just fine. I tied mine into my speedo, tach, water temp, and oil press. I did have to recalibrate the tach to get it accurate. If you would prefer to customize a little bit and use the 4th gen gauge setup, that would be ok. That will involve some cutting and fitting to make fit. I personally liked the look of the stock gauges. Depending upon the year of LS1 that you use, you need to change the coolant temp sensor at the front of the drivers side head over to the 98 Z28 style that uses 3 wires instead of 2. The 3rd wire is for the coolant temp gauge. 99 and newer LS1's don't have a sending unit for the gauge."
anything else?

Chuck

 

Chuck,

Anyone ever told you. YOU DA MAN , cant wait to save up enough money to do the LS1 swap, it has been my dream for 2 years but its kinda hard when your a poor college student. anyways when the time comes your info will help out alot. thanks

-Ryan-

 

oh yea dont forget about the fuel rely that is hard with our cars. i can explain if you want kind of complicated but pretty easy

 

Ya, two more:

1) Do you know if thirdgen resources is also going to make a transmission crossmember like what was neccesary in that speartech install?

2) Do you know what other, if any, options there are for exhaust? Stock 2001 cast iron manifolds and a hacked up MAC vatback isn't really enticing.

Thanks,
Matt

 

i have not heard about any exhaust options. the cross member you could just use the t-56 cross member if you are using a 6 speed trans. other then that i do not know of any place that makes this but it does not seem hard to do.

 

Spohn.net has a T56 crossmember specifically designed to bolt on into a 3rd gen receiving a T56 tranny. Check it out!

 

Plan to have at least 10G's in your pocket to start this project. The Motor, Trans, ECM, and wiring harness all together from a junkyard is going for average prices of $4000-$5800. Then you have to set your car up to be compadable with the motor. You can go to www.thirdgenresource.com , and look at his picture page. He did the swap on a convertable...... Basically his car is my wet dream! lol

 

That is an amazing car! It really looks good! I just wish I had the time and money to totally tear mine apart to clean and paint everything! I only hope my engine swap looks half as good as theres. (Actually my real hope is that it works!)

 

Yesterday I emailed stacey@thirdgenresource.com about my concerns with the LS1/T56 swap I am planning. Specifically I asked about motor mounts and tranny crossmember. This was her response.

"We custom made our motors mounts and transmission crossmember. We sell
those if you need them.

Let me know if I can help with anything else. Call 704-948-7280 if you want
to place an order! Please note that prices do not include shipping unless
otherwise stated."

Hope this helps.

 

www.skulte.com He has the thirdgen t-56 crossmember!!

 

http://www.speartech.com/coproj-1991ls1.html
LS1 Monte

There are some links for the ls1 swamp. Spohn makes a crossmember and adjustable torque arm for a T-56 in a third gen. Its $355. Heres the link

 

Can you still have A/C with an LS1?

 

Yes you may still have A/C with an LS1. It would be more complicated, but still is possible. The first link I gave has air and I think the monte does but am not certian.

 

Yes it can be done. The right side of the frame has to be notched so the AC compressor can clear. AC Lines have to be fabricated also.