I have a 91 Firebird parts car with no engine or transmission. I've been considering using it as a testbed for my LS1/T56 swap. What I mean is (so I can minimize downtime for my car) to install the LS1 and T56 in the Firebird and modify that k-member for A/C clearance as well as test it the wiring and fuel system in that car. This way, I can work out any bugs in the system before installing it my car. I know it seems like a lot of extra work, but when I consider that the Camaro is my only car and my DD, I don't want to take several weeks to get the swap in and then run into problems in getting it running.
Does anything think this is a waste of time or forsee and problems with it?

 

Yes and no. Preparation certainly can never hurt but I dont think a full mock up in another car is nec although it will certainly make the final swap go faster. I think it would be wise to notch a spare K member if you have one and bolt the engine in etc. on the garage floor. Buy or build your choice on many things. Then drop the body on fab up exhaust, fuel plumbing, cooling lines, ac if using, air intake and thats about all I can think of right now.

As for wiring? Its actually not nearly as bad as it seems.

MrDude has it hit square in the sense you dont "plan it all out in your head" before hand. Just take EVERY single wire from your cars engine harness and the LS1 engine harness then Label them according to pin out. Cut out the ones you know you dont need. Then start connecting them one at a time. I had my nephew and my neighbor helping and we mapped out the entire wiring ( going from carb to LS1 and full fuel sys wiring cuz carb had mech fuel pump ) in about 6 hrs.

Good luck!

 

i don't think you'll run into any real problems, but this sounds pretty time consuming, although if the camaro is your daily driver i think it would be time well spent and it would seem that you could get the swap done in less than a weekend after mockup and teardown is complete, i would just make sure you have some spare parts incase anything breaks during the process of test fitting. just along the lines of bolts and whatnot though.

 

Just let me know lol so I can help!!!!

 

Sounds like a plan. I'll need all the help I can get. I'll let you know when things start coming out of the donor.
Thanks for the input guys. I think this will really save alot of down time for my car, but if I can get everything operatingin in the 'Bird, I think I could get it swapped into mine (like was said) in a weekend or so. I'll make sure to have extra hardware, though.
And thinks for the input on the wiring. This is my biggest concern.

 

Just be sure to get ALL the pin outs for your car and the engine you buy. I also recommend the chassis harness if you can get one cheap enough as it has the correct plugs for your fuel system ( if you go fourth gen tank ) and the plugs for the engine harness as well as fuse block and relays you may or may not need depending on swap car. All weather pack and good quality.