Hey, one of the things I haven't seen too many posts about is what to do with the heater core hoses. Do you use the heater core hoses from the LS1 motor or do you retain it from the 3rd gen? I was wondering because I am buying a new harness for my swap and I sold the old motor and the guy is picking it up in about 2 weeks and I'm not sure if I should keep the stuff from my car and use it with the swap, or will it even work?

 

I kept that pipe that runs along the frame rail, and the heater diverter valve.

It all depends how you want your hoses to run. I kept my original Ac stuff, so I wanted the diverter valve to help keep the heat out of the passenger compartment.

-jason

 

http://www.team3rdgen.com/modules/3r...eater_hose.htm

 

I went to a Napa with the diameter hoses I needed (they are 2 different sizes) and bought the longest hoses I could with 90s on the end. Sorry no part #s...

 

anyone else had a problem with the heater core blowing when racing their ls1?

i popped one in under 50 miles at the top of 3rd gear somewhere in the 120s... I thought I popped a head gasket, I think that would take less work to fix than pulling my dash would.

 

Your heater core was on its way out... Ive never head of anyone having premature core failure just from running the LS1. Mine see's 7k rpms regularily and Ive never had an issue in two different cars.

As for what hoses to use, just get a 3/4" and 5/8" hose with 90* ends just like 3.1 said. Most parts stores will have the hoses. Simplest solution. I tried to use the 4th gen hoses...but decide not to.

I also just plumbed a heater control valve in...Im going to start a thread on it.

J.

 

well it was a brand new heater core, which is why I was asking. I know I'm running the ls1 radiator and cap which is a higher pressure one than a factory thirdgen cap. Didn't know if it was linked or not. Under 50 miles on the heater core then boom.

 

Huh...that still sounds wierd. Maybe you got a faulty one. The core shouldnt really get any more pressurized than usual. The coolant should just flow through it pretty easily. Maybe there was a blockage on the return side of your water pump? Hard to say. Thats why I hate hard to replace heater cores...because faulty units do exist, and you wont know til its allll back together.

But like I said...kinda hard to say. I havent heard of anyone blowing a core and it relating to the LS1 swap. And I know there are guys beating on there cars way harder than me without issue.

J.

 

Well I used it on my motor setup before this without issues with a gen I motor for most of those miles. It's just that it blew at the top of 3rd which made me question the higher rated radiator cap which raises system pressure. I bought another heater core and hopefully this one stays together. Sucks they're all made in china crap these days.

 

i just ran 2 rubber hoses. 5/8's and 3/4 diameter. looks fine.