Due to a recent accident that requires the replacement of my K-Member and the fact that my transmission's bell housing is cracked into 2 pieces, plus milage etc., I'm going to be performing a complete LSx swap.

Here is what I am considering...

First off, I'm in CA. From what I understand for this to be legal, I need everything I can get from a donor car, transmission, fuel tank, everything. So for me this means I must buy a donor vehicle unless I get lucky and find all the parts in the same purchase. I'm going to be keeping my stock interior and not going to a 4thGen interior so all that really matters is that all drivetrain components are intact. Sounds like I'll be looking for a roll-over or a side collision. A rear or front impact may mean damage to the fuel tank or certain engine accessories.

The most obvious choice would be a 01-02 LS1 F-Body. Another option would be an 05-06 LS2 GTO.

LS1 Vs. LS2:

If I go LS1, I would end up building an LS1 stroker and having to upgrade various parts like intake, cam, heads, etc. My goal is 500RWHP N/A and CA emissions legal.

If I go LS2, I think the only swap component I'd be missing is an LS1 F-Body fuel tank, which I'm sure I can get anywhere. Going this route, I'm likely to find that the LS2 is in perfect running condition and thus not needing a rebuild prior to the swap unlike and LS1. However I would atleast upgrade the cam and see what else is available for the LS2 basic bolt on wise. Personally I'd rather go this route. I know it will be more $$$ however I'd have the latest and be making more HP stock Vs. the LS1.

Logistics:

The LS1 swap in my mind is a cut and dry deal. Everything needed for this swap is available no problem.

The LS2 on the other hand leaves me with a few questions.
1) Does the LS2 use the same motor mounts? In other words would an LS1 K-Member work just fine?
2) Headers. Will the LS1 3rdGen headers work or are there LS2 3rdGen headers available?
3) Accessory configuration. Are there any forseeable problems with the GTO accessory setup or would a Vette or an SSR LS2 be more desireable for a 3rdGen swap? Or are they all the same, lol?
4) Last would be the Drive-By-Wire. Rather than convert this over to cable, provided that I have the entire donor vehicle, would I be able to simply convert my 3rdGen to Drive-By-Wire? I'm thinking the pedal assembly only in addition to all the harnesses right?
5) Wiring Harness. I know there are LS1 harnesses available for plug and play with the 3rdGen dash but is there also one for an LS2 available or atleast any places that could make one? Maybe one of the places that do the LS1 harnesses could make me a custom LS2 harness?

My goal is a very clean and perfect swap in everyway possible. I want the finished product to be in everyway as if GM had built the car that way. Aside from the Stainless Steel colored ceramic coated headers and the black colored Tubluar K-Member, I want nothing to stand out as aftermarket under the hood. I want a clean bone stock appearance.

Lastly is the question of availability. It should be easy to find a wrecked 01-02 LS1 F-Body to use for a donor vehicle. What would be a reasonable price for one though? $8K? Less, more? I know it would be much harder to find an LS2 donor vehicle however. I'm guessing an wrecked SSR or GTO would be around $15? I'd also like to point out I want to stick with an automatic transmission. Eventually I'd like to throw in a new 5 or 6 spd auto.

Of course if I can get super lucky, I would find a complete LS1 with transmission and all accessories and harnesses. How much $$$ should I expect to pay for all that? For an LS2 I would also need the parts needed for the Drive-By-Wire conversion. But like I said I'd be much happier with an LS2 so hopefully that will work out. I'd also like to add that knowing the LS2 will cost a decent amount more and be in running condition, I'd more than likely leave it stock and only do a couple basic mods like cam and stuff and do more as time went on after the swap.

Something I'd also like to discuss would be an LS7 swap. I know I can get ahold of an LS7 for what I plan on budgeting for the complete LS2 swap but I also know that an LS7 swap would need allot of custom pieces made. What all would be needed for this exactly do you think? Custom headers, what else? Also what about the accessories like the A/C compressor, alternator, PS pump, etc? The LS7 is also Drive-By-Wire, correct? I'm guess the engine harness and PCM will come with the engine. I'm also guessing I could find a place that would modify the harness the plug and play with my 3rdGen dash. Of course I'd still need an automatic transmission and 01-02 F-Body fuel tank. I guess where there is a will, there is a way huh? Lol. And LS7 would be awesome. It would be unique and of course have power and coolness bragging right, this year anyway, lol. Something else I should also mention is that no matter what LSx engine I go with I plan on a dry sump setup because I'm going to be auto-x'ing. I would already have this with the LS7. What would you guys estimate and LS7 swap would run me assuming I can find an LS7 outside of a new crate engine.

So, any comments, answers, etc? Looks like judging by eBay prices, I can get an LS7 for $14K, and an LS2 w/Trans for $7K. The LS1's w/Trans are about $3K.

 

as far as i know all the LS family * besides the ls7* are the same, Size and engine mount wise, so i would think those headers would work


thats about all i know :P

 

from what i've read also the crate LS7 does not include the dry sump system that has to bought seperately

 

for the most part any Gen III is going to bolt up the same, i see you are in bakersfilled, i'm over in fontana if you ever wanted to check out a car with a ls1 in it or have any questions.

Justin

Oh but mine doesnt pass smog here, but I do know what needs to be done to do it.

 

Thanks for the information guys!!!

 

I'm in Los Angeles/ Van Nuys. not too far from you- you're welcomed to come by and check my car out too. I have installed everything to be officially legal- I just need to make the appointment and get certified.

call these guys "International auto wrecking" and ask for Jack

http://www.internationalautowrecking.com/

They sold me my LS1 and let me take everything I needed off the donor car to complete my swap. I paid cash, too, so I'm sure that helped.

tank, fuel lines, emmisions, A/C, everything...

good luck!