Ok, usually what I see on this section is the TPI cars swapping out for the LSx.
I really want to get an LS1 or even an LS2 but my father, being the major mechanic on my car, is saying that the LSx motors are crap and to just go and get a 383 stroker. Currently im running the LG4 Carb motor that came with my car. It has practically no computer because my father took out the CC-Carb and now has a holley 650. He said that the LSx motor is too much work and that the computer is going to be a nightmare to put in etc.
I understand where hes coming from since he grew up with no computers and all, but I want the LSx because of its power gain and better gas mileage. I get like 7 mpg in the city, because he apparently build my car for a bigger engine, since i got a 4,10 rear which is HORRIBLE for my engine.
What Im really trying to say is that is it really such a hassle to change my car into an LSx, or should I just stick with the 383. I know i would probably change it into Fuel Injected, but I just want a few peoples input on how hard this would be.
Im just sick of having no gas mileage and no power right now so any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

LSx is your salvation dude.
Worth every penny.
Check out LS1tech.com for more info.

 

I second that.

 

/Third

No Offence it sounds like your dad is one of those people who say F**K Computers, ( mechanic vs a Technician)

Ls motor of any kind > Just about anything else out there now with the right mods

Ive heard of people with 450 rwhp or so and getting 25 mpg high way, Who the hell can beat that?

 

yes my dad/mechanic is one of those people who hate computers and wiring, they think that wires mess up cars and stuff like that. And now hes saying id have to change a lot of stuff to make the lsx even work. Thoughts?

 

Well now that I have done it ( like your Dad I wasn't big on computers etc. ) its not very hard to do just do your research and take it one wire at a time and first label each and every one of them. Then one at a time carefully route them and finally solder/heat shrink them. Its very easy to cross paths where you shouldn't making a spaghetti effect in a hurry. What I mean is routing is as important as the connections.

Of course if your still dead set on not wiring it up then just go for the edlebrock intake with MSD box and throw a carb on it. Makes great power and will still get considerably better mileage than a SBC.

I was originally planning to go that route myself but after seeing so many others successfully pull it off I figured I'd give it a go and if I had issues I would use the carb as my back up plan. Nothing to lose but time and as I said now that I've done it I'm super pleased about it. Cant beat the driveability of injection.

I dont think I will be building any more sbc's or BBC's in fact. I'm hooked on the new and I'm not going back. Just sold my marine block BBC yesterday hehe. Why? Can you say 6.0L 550 RWHP? I can

 

Ok so how hard is the wiring itself? I have no computer in the car right now. And i just talked to him and he bets me that if he get a reg SBC motor, he will blow me away in the 1/4 mile so its the LSx challenge....but since ill be apparently doing it by myself, how hard and how much time and patience does it take for the wiring? I will probably end up doing the whole sending it to Speartech since I hear that they are really good with the wiring process.

 

Well its kind of impossible to say LS1's are going to beat sbc's just because they are a better design. You can take sbc's to 2000 horse with turbos etc so just because its LS1 doesn't mean "fastest" so really it dsepends on what your dad builds to go against you understand?

That being said the LS1 is going to give you more smiles per mile and more mpg at comparable power levels theres no sensible argument to that its a fact period.

As for difficulty? I went from carbed to LS1 and dont think it really makes anything harder. Its not easy in the sense you have to take your time and be patient but its not hard as in trying to learn to play violin. Anyone can do it if you go one wire at a time and route carefully and look at what others have done etc. Of course no one can speak for your own ability or expoerience thats something you have to decide for your self if you understand basic things like what a relay is and what the system as a whole is trying to do.

Good luck whatever you decide

 

There are really only abaout 10 wires total you have to swap in. The biggest thing is with the car originally a carb car you will have to drop the gas tank and put in a TPI sending unit, a set of either TPI or MPFI V6 fuel lines and an electric fuel pump (255 Walbro is the best) And do this, ask your dad if he can run 10's in the 1/4 and still get around 25-29 mph on the interstate running 3.90 gears.

My LT1 gets around 25 on the highway with 3.70's and I love it.

 

so if i just do the LS1 gas tank swap it would be better? cause i saw the article about the plastic tank swap. So thats the only BIG worry what your saying. and he said about the sbc cause the LS1 is close to like a 350 (i think 364 or something) and so he said he will get a 350 and just put addons to it and he will beat me or something like that. But like i said, if the biggest headache is the wiring and gas tank, i think i should be fine.

 

if he needs some help with understanding the pure power an LSX motor will make, refer him to Chevy High Performance magazine from about two months ago. It has a real nice article comparing a standard sbc stroker to a comparable(in size) LS based motor. In the article, the lsx made MORE power and still mainained a very streetable 13hg of vacuum(street driveability) on top of that!! They go further to say that the regular sbc was just about too nasty to street drive while the LS is a very good street motor. Go with a carb, a decent camshaft and rock his AZZ at the track!!

 

And by the way, if you layout the third gen engine wiring harness out on the floor with the new harness next to it, you'll see the new harness is about half the size as the old one. That weight savings alone has to be worth something.

 

your dad needs to learn more about them before he can appreciate them.


as for the wiring.. its as simple as connecting one wire to another wire.

you just do that several times, over and over... and they're all connected.





seriously, wiring isnt hard. no aspect of it, the soldering, the cutting, stripping, ect.... its not hard.

its the INTIMIDATION factor of people who dont know what this wire does... that scares them..

it is purly a MENTAL issue.. not a PHYSICAL hardship...

now i can understand how some people might not enjoy wiring (i do sometimes, othertimes i dont) I dont enjoy changing spark plugs or greasing wheelbearings either... but i do it because it needs to be done.

 

Yea i looked at the LS1 wiring harness and i was like, wow its less than the one on my car already....but yea i gotta question for you guys, the ECM on the LS1 swap only controls the Motor and the tranny right? cause he thinks that I need wiring for stuff like the lights, A/c, guages, etc.

 

It will run your A/C, cooling fans, fuel pump, gauges and starter if you want it to. Or you can use the "old" wiring to operate those. You will want to pull water temp and oil pressure gauge reading from LSx harness.

 

Right...computers mess cars up. I mean, they make them more powerfull, more effecient, more reliable, easier to diagnose problems, and get better fuel mileage...why would anyone want a computer controlled drivetrain??

 

OK question for you guys and seeing what you would do.
As you know, i would like power and gas mileage.
Currently im running the LG4 305 with a 700r4 and a 4.10 racing rear off a 97 camaro.
What I would like to know since i have an auto atm, if it would be more beneficial to get the 4L60E or get the T-56 and all the conversion parts.
I can drive stick so thats no prob, its just its more money to convert and was wondering if the conversion is worth the while.

 

the LSx swap is the way to go.
it may be more money, it may be alot of work.
it's definetly worth it though.
power is more easily made, and you can't beat the weight loss issue.
i just finished my swap. i love it.
oh and by the way.....it's the future.

 

The 4L60E is going to be more consistant and a tick faster in the quarter unless your really sharp with a stick. The auto will also be easier on parts.

But I really like shifting my own gears! The stick gets the nod for gas mileage.

If you keep your current transmission, you'll save the minor aggravation of keeping your stock speedometer working.

 

if your dad is a partial in the conversion, or decisions, what about a carbed ls1?
i get decent milage.
not saying there is a clear advantage over EFI, but my car was setup for carb, and it was the cheaper source at the time of my install.
no complaints here.

 

6spd is a lot more cost, much more work, and as far as I'm concerned considerably more costly on fuel too cuz who drives em like a granny? No one least of all myself I wind it up a little in every gear where the auto shifts accordingly and at the end of the day gets better mileage in most real world use.

But it is MIGHTY fun to row through 6 gears hehe

 

The real difference in mileage is on the high ways...and for those who drive like grannies. haha.