When I do the LS1/A4 swap, the car will be getting a new K-member, new struts and new springs. All of that stuff is being replaced. The brakes front and rear are being switched over to an LS1 set up. The rear end will also be replaced.

For my application, would it be worth dropping the cradle?

I agree for engine only it's a waste of time.

 

do it one shot, mount the engine on the cradle and drop the car on it.
i did the same swap, but in pieces because i was waiting for the stupid kmember to be made, but if i was to do it again i would have everything mounted then drop the car over it.

 

Engine only might be a waste of time...but engine and trans only is definetly not a waste of time. Im willing to bet I could drop my k-member with the motor, trans, and headers intact without even cracking the clutch hydraulics and then separate the motor in less time than it takes to unbolt the motor from the trans, slide the trans back, pull the headers, pull the hood, move all the stuff out of the way, probably pull the intake if you dont want to crack it, bolt chains to the heads, and pull the motor through the top.


For your project, its definetly worth it to put it all together outside the car and install it as a unit. You are getting a new k-member anyway... You can bolt your motor and trans up, install them on the k-member, install your headers or mainfolds, and just drop the car right down on all of it. Piece of cake man! After that just bolt up the a-arms, install the struts and spindles, and then install your LS1 brakes. That part of my project went really really fast. I was starting with all new parts except for the k-member, like you, which was nice. After the motor was bolted in the front end all but put itself together!

Good luck man!

Justin

 

just for the record.... i can pull the trans and the T56 out together EASILY..

but i do have a tubular kmember, so that could be what makes it so easy.

 

MEH... I dropped mine in together from above with a notched K member. Pain in the *** and I have an overhead crane with dolly. It would be easy with a tubular but getting the oil pan to cross member clearance is sooooo tight with the LS1 that it made things difficult. If I wanted to scratch up my fresh painted engine compt it would have been easy but there isnt much room if you want it neat.

In short stock k member I'd remove it and drop the car over.

 

Its great to get input on this from folks who have done the swap. I really appreciate it.

 

No doubt the tubular makes it easier... But you still have to pull your hood off. And you still need to remove exhaust while its in the car correct?? Or does the tubular give you room to sneak the exhaust out too?

Justin

 

Ooooo.... a dual trans car. You must get some sweet gas milage on double overdrive.

The tubular k gives you so much room to play with, I'm sure you could drop the exhaust as well.