White'89

iTrader: (8)

Just bought my motor last week (5.7L LS1 from an fbody). Pictures of the motor and car are below. Hopefully I'll have an update in the next couple days of a pretty and clean motor once my intake manifold comes back from its dip in the hot tub.

I'm thinking of painting the intake manifold white. Does anybody know if someone sells plain LS coil covers? I have a few ideas for decorating them.

1ADan

iTrader: (4)

welcome to the club and make sure to keep the pictures coming. it encourages some of the lazy ones around here (cough cough me cough cough) to keep their swaps going.

as for coil covers, there are not too many out there i've come across, most just fill in the vette ones and go from there

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

I'll have to admit to not liking coil covers.

Did you not get the harness or ECM with the engine? What are you going to do for a transmission?

White'89

iTrader: (8)

I got both the harness and ECM with the motor but I got a little gung ho and started ripping it apart as soon as I got home. Harness is getting spliced together with my original one right now...figured Pocket did a good enough job with his threads that I shouldn't add more clutter to the mess.

As for the trans I'm gonna use my 700R for now and I'll collect up the pieces for a manual swap once Its running. Also using stock manifolds for now because I saw the price of Hawks LS swap headers , although I have heard nothing but good things about them.

Pictures are coming, hopefully with a little more detail for the people also trying to mate their 700R4 to an LS motor.

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Well got bored and decided to clean my throttle body and just wasn't satisfied. So I 'ported' it. I just basically removed the little ridge by the butterfly and 'knifed' the butterfly itself. My throttle shaft didn't want to come out so I did the best I could. However I would still like to make the throttle blade open 100% horizontal.

'Ported' and Turtle Waxed

White'89

iTrader: (8)

I got the motor a little cheaper because the back of it is a bit beat up because aparently a bolt came loose in the bell housing and someone didn't care....so I've come to find out I lost the gamble. There is a small hairline crack in the back of the oil pan so I've sent that across the street to be tig welded.
The rear engine cover was a bit beat up to, but was salvagable. However me and the rear main seal got in a fight and it cracked . While they are dealing with that I get to drill and heli-coil the bolt from the rear cover that broke off in the block.
Just ordered a replacement rear cover and a (1)4ga-(4)8ga power distribution block. I want to do things a bit differently and keep all that mess away from the starter, still contemplating a battery relocation since this motor is already gonna have me needing lowering springs in the front....

Pictures are coming tomorrow, I keep leaving my camera at home

But here is the Rear main cover.

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Got the intake manifold back from its spa treatment today and bolted it on. Hopefully next week should be eventful as a few things I have ordered will be coming in.

Got the EGR hole covered up with a 1 3/8in Freeze plug(just have to epoxy it). She is lookin good and I should be getting the oil pan back early next week so I can get everything done with the motor.

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Can anyone for sure identify these manifolds? They came with the motor but he told me they may not have come from a 98-02 fbody.

They have a goofy flange pattern.

Mike Massey

iTrader: (8)

I like the egr freeze plug mod "looks like a good mod" bigtime cleanup . I believe those are fbody manifolds but its been awhile im looking forward to see ur swap everyone here seems to tweak their own to suit their needs and taste. good luck hope i can help with something.

Air_Adam

Those look like the later '01/02 style F-car manifolds... I picked up a pair for a buddy a few weeks ago and they looked pretty similar to those.

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Got the oil pan back today and that pretty much sums up the motor. The Fel-pro gasket I got for my oil pan is pretty thick so I shouldn't have too much to worry about with the back side being uneven. There was no way I was going to put the pan back in with a hairline crack, and there was also no way I was gonna shell out $350 for a new one.

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Well my father wont let me roll the car over to the shop till after the first of the year. But that gives me plenty of time to roll in some dough and order shiny stuff.

Till then I'll just give you guys my little story. I'm 19 and have been working in and around my fathers shop since I could walk. Unfortunately nothing has ever sparked my interest or made me think the way engineering a vehicle for the better does. Earlier this year I bought a Ford Ranger with a blown motor dirt cheap, fixed it, and sent it down the road and bought my GTA(I know, my dad hates me buying nothing but projects too). I am incredibly optimistic with the idea that I could get a great job working on cars and make enough money to satisfy the endless pit of ideas in my brain. This car is intended to be a good example of my abilities because I plan to attend Wyotech and make things reality.

My dad doesn't have quite the passion to work on them the way that I do(which probably comes from 20years of nothing but routine maintanence), but he is still there to fill in the blanks and provide me with any tricks of the trade. And I guess if it wasn't for his big shop full of tools this wouldn't be possible either.

Hope to have updates soon!

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Getting alot of parts in. Just as an update here are the manifolds after being sandblasted and painted with some dupli-color ceramic engine enamel.

Prokilllsx

Good lookin car. Good luck with it.

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Bad news, ^^Those are truck manifolds. Good news, their for sale.

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Quick update. I'm up to a grand total of $2320 with everything bought with the exception of

Fuel hose, heater hose, radiator hoses, Fluids, torque converter, and PCM tune.

I've sold various old parts for a total of $397, so I don't think I'm doing to bad. But I also did not include all the other miscellaneous items I bought like rear LCA's, 4th gen monsoon radio, poly bushings, etc. Wonderbar, and SFC's still to be ordered.

White'89

iTrader: (8)

And we are underway! Getting everything pulled apart I realized I had been lied to ALOT when I bought the car....but thats ok its in good hands now.

I know the torque arm is still attached...don't question my methods!
Firebird001.jpg?t=1297561615
There is just a good feeling having a car completely gutted. I know its pretty dirty this will change soon.
Firebird002.jpg?t=1297561496
Just a pile of AWESOME!
Firebird003.jpg?t=1297561675

Pm gm

Nice car... Good luck with your build...

quickkris2006

iTrader: (2)

looking good.. a good trick that i used is acetone on a rag to clean the underbody of the car.. it works wonders. and u should look into coating the underbody with a truck bed liner like herculiner.. makes it look amazing.. check out whitedevils swap.. he did the same..

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Almost ready

Hopefully you're going in from the bottom with it. Its easier plus having a lift makes it pie

daddy33

iTrader: (5)

Looking good! Keep up the progress. Must be nice having a lift, I've been working out hard just so I can get the tranny lifted up off the ground when Im under the car lol

White'89

iTrader: (8)

I wasn't going to at first but since I'll have to take everything apart to install the poly control arm bushings I might.

And darn you pocket I followed one of your older diagrams of the fuel system and bought straight fittings instead of 90* and after looking under the car I wish I had. But I bought them from the local speed shop so hopefully they will take them as trade ins on some 90*'s.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Sorry, I drew a revised diagram after discovering that myself. Scroll a bit farther down the page

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Got the rear end dropped today and took out the fuel tank(PITA). I can't imagine what those of you guys do that don't have access to the equipment that I do.

Does anyone know if the walbro pumps are supposed to list the 255lph on the side? Mine just came in sealed plastic bags when I ordered it so I don't see any way to tell for sure.

I don't condone siphoning your neighbors gas.(Unless he has a mustang)
Firebird003-1.jpg?t=1297645790
Side by side comparison of the Walbro 255 and my stock TPI pump. The Walbro is only a tiny bit bigger so its basically a straight up swap besides splicing in the Walbros connector.
Firebird004.jpg?t=1297646366

dprest68

iTrader: (1)

I'm pretty sure that's what my Walbro looked like when I did my FP swap
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tpi/...p-install.html

Yeah, it was a PITA for sure.

White'89

iTrader: (8)

To take out the springs to remove the A-arms I had to put a jack stand caddy corner in the back as I did each side. The car currently has no SFC's and probably flexed about an inch in total from the springs pushing up on it(I did the floor jack method).

Got about 70% of the wiring done and figured I would finish it up this weekend. For future reference, unless your seriously into learning about automotive wiring I suggest you send your harness to Pocket and spend your time elsewhere on your build.

Rough mock up.
Firebird001-1.jpg?t=1298101818
The connectors went through the hole by a hair, however I don't have all the wires installed or the C207 so it will be a miracle if I won't have to make the hole bigger.
Firebird002-1.jpg?t=1298101818
What a mess.
Firebird004-1.jpg?t=1298101996

stoning_volcom

very very good progress mine is taking forever! good work man keep us posted!

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Believe me, I'm trying my best not to get carried away . I've already been talked into replacing the ball joints which were not bad, and undercoating it with truck bed liner.

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Got the motor mocked up today and I was really surprised by how much clearance there actually is. I'm using the spohn motor mounts and I don't think things could be any better, it practically fell into place. I bought a torque converter from a guy on LS1tech but he sent it USPS parcel post() so it may be awhile before I get to put the trans in.

I also installed an LS2 timing chain just because the little bit of free motion the crank had when I tried to turn it by hand was getting to me.
Firebird001-2.jpg?t=1298788421

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Awesome

The next big step is the first fire

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Oh and the front control arms with new poly bushings were a mother $%@(&*$&*@$ to install. Did you guys use your old 700R4 trans cooler lines on the 4L60E?

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Yes, the cooler lines fit. Youll have to mix/match the fitting on the trans case from your old 700R4. I dont recall exactly which went where because I swapped to AN6 lines shortly after

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Getting there little by little. Its time for all the little things that everyone does differently.

Power steering lines. Used the 4th gen pressure hose and a piece of 3/8 hose on the return. Plenty of clearance.
Firebird001-3.jpg?t=1299025817
Had to do a little cutting to the A/C box for the coil pack bracket to fit.
Firebird002-2.jpg?t=1299025817

dprest68

iTrader: (1)

Looks like a real tight fit for that back coil

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

It really is, it wouldnt work with my straight up mounts, i couldnt imagine with a 1 inch set back, but without the adapters i use it might still work? I used truck coils, it mounts up higher and i think the LS2 coils i will be using on my 86 TA will also clear possibly.

White'89

iTrader: (8)

The amount that has to be trimmed from the A/c box can easily be done while still letting it keep its seal, you just loose 1 screw that holds it together. And it could look a lot better I just did it kind of hastily and with the motor installed.

daddy33

iTrader: (5)

Looking pretty sweet. Those Spohn motor mounts are an awesome piece for a perfect fit. Keep us updated!

mille_3

iTrader: (3)

You're making good progress. I'm in the same boat with the coil. I'm still trying to decide what to do. I might end up tilting the top of the coil towards the firewall and redrilling a new mounting hole into the bracket.

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Almost there! Still have fuel lines to run, coolant hoses to deal with, and wiring to finish up. Although I may end up pulling the dash just for good measure and remove all the wiring I can(like for the VSS buffer box) and tidy things up.

Better pic of what I did to make the lokar throttle cable work.
Firebird007.jpg?t=1299366605
It's so inconspicuous, I love it. Also still have exhaust and fuel lines to add, wish I had gotten hawks hump crossmember.
Firebird002-3.jpg?t=1299367322
Ended up applying all of the bed liner undercoating with a brush because every roller I tried made it clump really bad. And I still have some touch up to do because I couldn't get around the lift to prep.
Firebird003-2.jpg?t=1299367427
Trans cooler lines are a pain, but manageable. Ended up adding some hose to one of them because the previous owner had one kinked pretty good, I foresee some -6an lines in the near future.
Firebird004-2.jpg?t=1299367574


Needless to say I'm getting restless at this point.

scooter

iTrader: (11)

Been following this thread for a while now, lookin good but you didnt need to do that to the cable/pedal. You can just use the factory GM end and slide it onto the Lokar cable, I have done this with several GM cars now. Makes it look/work just like factory..... almost

mille_3

iTrader: (3)

I don't know how you manage to get a wrench on your tranny lines. I had to let mine down a bit. Maybe I need to find someone with skinny forearms .

Is that a plug in the dipstick location or a grommet? If it's a grommet, I must be missing mine.

White'89

iTrader: (8)

I sold my stock cable so there was only one choice.

Yes there is supposed to be a grommet there for your dipstick to go into so it doesn't leak fluid. And I took out the crossmember and let it down a hair, but it I still could have done without, used a normal size wrench to.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Yes, theres a grommet there and you def need it. 01259475 like $3 at the dealership or go grab one from a 700R4/4L60E in your junkyard

mille_3

iTrader: (3)

That's probably why the old 700R4 was leaking all the time. Only had an o-ring when I pulled it out.

White'89

iTrader: (8)

The dash is definitely coming out after what I've found.

FireBird004-3.jpg?t=1299733780
Got a surprise when I took off the driver side kick panel, can anyone spot whats out of the ordinary? And what its from?
FireBird001-4.jpg?t=1299733780
This is just unacceptable. Someone pulled the yellow wire out of the connector and stuck a wire with a female spade connector in to fix it. Needless to say I'll be going to the junkyard to find one of these to splice in.
FireBird005-2.jpg?t=1299734509

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Dont you love professionally installed aftermarket alarm systems?

BTW, the VATS starter relay is the one covered in goop sitting the the little recess behind the kick panel

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Yep, but this one was easy compared to the last one I uninstalled. And on this one they actually soldered the connections. Here it is all pulled out. Most of the modules were already missing.

FireBird007-1.jpg?t=1299774066

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Soldered connections! Id been ages since Ive seen that

1ADan

iTrader: (4)

i know what you mean. the "alarm" I pulled out of the 87 was pretty gruesome (not as bad white's though), not a spot of solder anywhere. I spent a good couple hours just trying to get that thing out and resolder/heatshrink back to original. still may end up replacing the ignition switch for good measure.....

White'89

iTrader: (8)

Is there a place I can find what all the under dash modules go to? and possibly pinouts.