I just drove my car down to Hawks. Bruce is going to replace the old 305 TBI/ auto with a 2002 ls1 , a 6 speed and 3.73 posi. He will also add a bunch of go fast goodys to the project.
The trip from New York to S.C. took 14 hours and three Qts. of oil.
Do you think I need a new motor? LOL.
I was very impressed with Bruce and Co.
Check out his web site and follow along with the project!

 

You shouldn't have to worry about that oil loss on the way home because your wallet will be much lighter Can't wait to see some pics.

 

Out of curiousity how much are they charging you (parts, labor, trip to them....etc, etc)

 

FLYNLOW,
The cost is about the same as your swap. I won't have a firm number till it's done. To get there about three tanks of gas some tolls and about $350 for air fare back home. By the way, what did the corvette motor covers set you back.

 

$95 for the Corvette Fuel Rail Covers, brand new from GM.........you can find used ones on ebay.com cheaper, but with shipping you only save a few bucks.......


So what go-fast goodies are you planning on installing??

 

Cooooooool. See, the number of LS1'd thirdgens is growing by the day.

Be sure to get in the LS1 registry in this forum. Maybe the mods. will make it a sticky if we have more than 10 people in it.

Let us know how its coming along. Any mods planned? Like FLYNLOW said.

Good luck.

 

Have fun with it! I would of went LS if there was a bit more support for the motor swap then.. true to form as soon as the LT went in the custom mounts etc started being sold..

it will make a great base for mods later, and eventually a great base to rebuild on..

all these paid swaps makes me want to get in the business..

 

I have givin Bruce a free hand on the mods. I only chose the rear gear and told him what my budget for this project is.
He was talking about a cam, valve springs,pushrods, larger TB, and some porting. I guess we will see how far the cash goes. My feeling is if you take it to an expert just let them do their thing. And hope they keep to the budget.

 

LOL, I feel ya on that one, I did the same thing with Roy, told him my budget and what i could afford.....

Depending on what type of cam, you should be looking at 375-400 HP at the rear wheels. Not to mention you are getting the LS6 engine, so that always gives you an advantage....

What are the plans for exhaust.......?

 

Most cams in an LS1 won't make 400rwhp. and i thought he was getting a 2001 LS1 not an LS6.

 

Obviously not with the cam alone....., and i'm sure the cam isn't the only thing he's doing.....

Insert word "intake" and remove "engine".......should clear up the miscommunication.......

 

Not all of the 2002s are ls6 blocks mine is a ls1 block but it has a ls6 intake. Bruce thinks we are talking about 375 to the wheels. But only the dyno knows for sure.
For the exhaust he is porting the manifolds( the 2002 flow as good as shorty headers) keeping the cats and using my 3" Edelbrock system.

 

Lay off the cheba there buddy.

 

I think he meant rwhp. I seriously doubt without some major streetability issues you can get a monstrous cam alone and have 400 rwhp. Although, then again i've seen some Ls1's hit like 427 rwhp with just a cam swap and no head work. But most do intake mods also and fail to mention other mods. So I really can't say. Besides, dyno's don't mean jack squat. Take it to the 1/4th and tell me what you run and then we can talk. My cousin dynoed 313 rwhp on his 00' trans am. He ran a pathetic 14.2 at the 1/4 here. Yea he is a crappy driver, but who is to say most of these guys putting down lots of power aren't?

 

The1/4 mile will tell you how fast car and driver are.
Dyno will tell you HP andTQ. and I think that's what we were talking about?
I doubt the car will ever see the 1/4 mile. I have no plans to race it.

 

Bruce's Formula ran like 12.70s with 410s and a stock motor (not sure what year) with cats, and that car was LOTS of fun then...can't imagine what its like with the Magnacharger that is on it now!
BTW 370rwhp is possible with just a cam swap...and with today's cam technology not that difficult to do anymore. I do completely agree on the validity of dyno numbers, though. Its like the joke says, what to 500, 600, and 700hp Supras all have in common????





12 second timeslips!

 

With just a cam you should be in the 350-360 range...

custom cams get more.. but are harder to tune, google Joe Overton..

heads and cam LS1s are pushing the low to mid 400s more and more these days.. reliably without insane unliveable combos..

whichever way you go, make sure it gets a nice dynotune.. Carolina Auto Masters is close enough, to stop at on your way back..for 400 bucks they will tune your car all day on the dyno, reflashing the ecm for things like max power, but also idle, cam surge etc. until you are satisfied... no mail order or non-dyno tune will work quite as well..CAM

 

Just a heads up, as i found this out the hard way.........Once you start making all that power, some more suspension mods are necessary and some slicks, otherwise you won't move off the line.....

 

You obviously don't know anything about LS1's..... it doesn't take that much to get to 400RWHP with these motors. Its not uncommon to go over 400RWHP withOUT heads.... just a cam and full bolt-ons in a M6 car and you'll most likely get close to 400 if not more. I can't wait to get mine done and hit the dyno and track.

 

Why don't we all just post dyno sheets on our windshields then if the 1/4 doesn't matter.

 

Engine Performence = Dyno
Driver/Car Performence = 1/4 time

 

Well thanks for clearing that up...

 

Well considering he's not taking it to the track, one of those measurements goes out the window........

So in his case 1/4 time doesn't matter......

So yes, he should throw his Dyno sheet on his window....

 

I get what your saying....I just don't see the point . To say you have an engine with so and so horsepower? If your not gonna take it to the track, whats the point? Street race? That gets old after a while, not to mention tickets add up.

 

One hell of a daily driver.....:lala:

I agree with you for people who install high horsepower engines and turn them into trailer queens, but for a daily driver a high horsepower engine is fun.....

 

Let me clear this up. I am in my late 40's. I have no desire to be the fastest gun in the west. (you just get shot in the back).LOL When I was young I had the time and no money to build something like this project. Now I have the money and no time. That's where Hawks comes in. When it's done, it is what it is. 300-400 hp who knows? Bruce will do the right thing . My company car is a huge Volvo This car is like a anti-volvo LOL. Sometimes you just need that. I will not be taking it to the track. But I might give a stoplight spanking to a young lawyer in a boxster every now and again. LOL
Flynlow, Don't worry it won't be a trailer queen. I'll drive it almost daily.

 

 

I see your point then. When I went to the speed shop they keep asking me if I wanna throw this and that in. I just tell them, I just wanted "Fast", im not looking to be top dog, because the top is slippery. I always get a weird look when I say that. I just want to be able to hold my own. However, track time is fun . Much more fun than street racing.

 

Looks like a nice swap!!

You may also want to beef up your 10 bolt rear, if you are making 400 rwhp. If you only use street radials, you are going to have a bitch of a time trying to hook up to the road - lots of smoke though!!

Or, you can get a sticky tire that bites better; but you'll need at least some reinforcement to the back, or one day you'll stomp on it at a stoplight - and it'll stomp back. I don't know that you need to go Ford 9" or 12 bolt though. I'm going to on mine only because I plan to take it to the track and throw on some drag tires once or twice a year. I've heard you can beef up the 10 bolts for under 600 bucks and it'll do the job for what you are planning.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GTA91 - nice looking site, dude. I just registered!

 

Yeah I know. The rear could be a problem. I am thinking about a 12 bolt maybe next year. It's just not in the budget now. My 235/60 tires will serve to keep the rear alive for now. I will be buying one of those Jegs diff covers .
As long as I keep away from slicks it should hold up. I think thats where others have gotten into trouble with the 10 bolt.

 

Bruce has just posted some new photos of my engine swap on his website. (HAWKS) check it out. Man am I pumped!!:rockon:

 

Great pictures.......

As far as the fuel line. It looks as though you have the exact same set-up as me. A word of caution make sure there is enough slack there to allow the engine to move and the fuel line to move with it.....I found out the hard way that the fuel line comes with not enough slack.......just a heads up.....

Are you going with the corvette fuel rail covers?

 

whats wrong with trailer queens??

i wont have a choice when i get my lt1 put in this winter..

(im hoping to have 350-375hp) then when i supercharge it itll go up..

i wont be able to drive it cuz the gas will be rediculous...and the cops are already breathing down my neck for the way the cars look now so imagine what will happen when they have to hold their ears when i drive by (because of the lump of cam im goin with)....

i just think you are being too hard on cars that have to be trailored.. im not gonna trailor it everywhere...just most of the places (shows) that ill attend...specially the ones in the states..

comin from canada...thats a far drive..

iroc2nv

 

The same thing that's wrong with having a beautiful wife you can't touch.......

 

iroc2nv, It's ok with me if you want to trailer it.


Flynlow, I will be getting the fuel rail covers. When I saw them on your car I liked the look. And to tell the truth the LS1 isn't a pretty engine to look at. It could use the help.

 

Ohhh the torture.

 

yes...but you get to "ride the car" with the wife she has to "ride you" so theres a difference...


but..my iroc is just that...a show car..i have put 4000kms on it in 5 years..i think im doin good by not driving it too much

so..anyways...

iroc2nv

 

thanks man

and congrats on your recent install

iroc2nv

 

So how is the swap coming? Must be nearly done?

 

Check out Hawk's main page........

 

It's done!!! I am flying down to S.C. tomorrow morning to pick it up. I will be driving it back to N.Y. I will do a post on the whole project after I get back.

 

Now we are talking.......:hail:

There's nothing like turning the key to a camaro after a fresh LS1 swap....

Enjoy it.....

 

Please tell us a actual $$! I'm thinking about doing this in the future.

 

there is a breakdown on another post here for the swap but the rough numbers for these two are in the 9-10k range.. the base swap can be had for about 7k..

I am sure they will correct me if I am wrong..

Eventually I will be doing these swaps on a limited basis in MD during the summer (both LT and LS) but looking at 2005 to setup for them not this year..

 

I'll mention it right now, you'll need a minimum of $7,000 if you aren't doing this swap yourself.....

How many bells-n-whistles do you want? I could have easily gone up to $15,000 or $20,000 with my swap with all the add-on parts.....

 

lol shes sleeping.. looks like a sleeper . i see where all the money went tho. i am only 16 and im thinken about this swap.. hmm i wonder if it will be done before college knowing that im going into 11th right now... hopefully it would.. i was thinken bout buying the Ls1 motor and trans together then getting one part by part till i have everything.. shouldnt go too bad, damn 7 grand!!! lol are you talken about the Ls1 brand new. cause i kno i can get one for about 3-4 grand...plus since i have a v6 im gunna need more converting to a v8 also that im auto right now ughh wTF!!! lol looks great guys.. all the ones with LS1's deep pockets or what lolol later

sean

 

No, $7K is a total for a USED LS1 and tranny, and all of the necessary swap components to put it into a 3rd gen car. A brand new crate engine version of the LS1 is almost $7K BY ITSELF!

Sweet, can't wait to see the list of "go fast goodies" and what kind of performance differences you feel. Gonna be fun!!

Adam

P.S. For anyone considering this swap, I've got TWO of them going on - but I'm going to sell one of them. I am willing to sell it as it is now - with just the engine, tranny, rolling chassis, and some of the needed swap parts............ or I am willing to (with a deposit from you to cover it) finish the swap to YOUR specifications. I'll even DELIVER it to you if you'd like, depending on distance!!

 

You got that right! Things can get out of hand very quickly if you dont watch the...If I put in a cam I better get new lifters and then I will need rocker arms, then push rods and then intake and then TB.... Well you get the idea, it turns into "dude where's my car" !! lol My best recommendation is not to get over welmed because every time I get everything I want a company comes out with a new part.

BTW In a month I will have a few stock LS1 parts for sale not to mention a BBK 80mm ported TB that is now. ($300 shipped and it is yours)

 

not to get too far off topic but did anyone buy the Hawk's k-member for their swap? i posted a question in the aftermarket product review forum and got no responses. i plan on buying everything from Bruce to do my swap (except the motor and trans) . are you satisfied with the k-member? read some posts in another website about BMRs and bad welds so that's why i'm looking at Bruce's products . 600.00 is some serious cheddar to me and it's only the tip of the iceberg for the stuff i need to buy to complete my project.any comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

I bought one of Bruce's tubular k-members, but it hasn't arrived yet. I'll post a review about it once it's in the car.