LC9 V8 Truck engine swap?
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Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 5.0L V8
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 2.73
LC9 V8 Truck engine swap?
I was wondering if I could swap a LC9 GMC sierra engine into my 86? It's an LS engine so hopefully it mounts the same... But I want it because of the AFM system which would make my gas mileage astronomical hahaha. I sure hope I can pull this off...
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Car: 86 Camaro
Engine: 355- hopefully a 5.3 this summer
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: LC9 V8 Truck engine swap?
the cylinder deactivation may or may not add gas mileage, but it will definitely add a couple of extra layers of unnecessary complexity..
this isn't just a simple engine swap scenario- what is your level of knowledge with cars?
this isn't just a simple engine swap scenario- what is your level of knowledge with cars?
#5
Re: LC9 V8 Truck engine swap?
I've worked on cars, but I'm not a mechanic. I have an 84 trans am, and I've spent some time researching and planning an engine swap. Like most, I considered a rebuilt 305, a 350 crate engine, then a ZZ4, a custom built 350, etc. Then I finally came to the realization that an LS is better, do-able, and not nearly as expensive as I first thought. I'm in my 40's, and I have the time and resources to patiently and properly restore the trans am. I've made good progress with the suspension and brakes. Here is where I am now:
the demand for used LS style engines is up, so a good quality used engine and transmission was a little difficult to find. I found an aluminum 5.3L with low miles for under $1500, so I bought it. I also found a used T56 for a good price. But, I just didn't realize the LT T56 differences and the vvt/afm of the gen iv when I bought. I thought I had a good understanding when I bought, but I didn't. I had to upgrade the T56 anyway, so I got the shop to convert it to the LS style as well. Now I'm ready to deal with the engine. I want reasonable power with the option to upgrade to a remote turbo later. I'll get the DOD delete kit. Now I have to figure out the cam. My questions:
-Will the stock VVT cam be able to handle 8 psi boost?
-If not, I'll get a VVT delete kit and a new cam. Texas Speed and Performance recommends a 220 on a 114 lobe. Can a 3 bolt cam work with a 58x reluctor wheel? The LS book from Texas Speed says a Gen III camshaft can be used in a Gen IV, but I don't see how yet.
I appreciate any help you can offer.
the demand for used LS style engines is up, so a good quality used engine and transmission was a little difficult to find. I found an aluminum 5.3L with low miles for under $1500, so I bought it. I also found a used T56 for a good price. But, I just didn't realize the LT T56 differences and the vvt/afm of the gen iv when I bought. I thought I had a good understanding when I bought, but I didn't. I had to upgrade the T56 anyway, so I got the shop to convert it to the LS style as well. Now I'm ready to deal with the engine. I want reasonable power with the option to upgrade to a remote turbo later. I'll get the DOD delete kit. Now I have to figure out the cam. My questions:
-Will the stock VVT cam be able to handle 8 psi boost?
-If not, I'll get a VVT delete kit and a new cam. Texas Speed and Performance recommends a 220 on a 114 lobe. Can a 3 bolt cam work with a 58x reluctor wheel? The LS book from Texas Speed says a Gen III camshaft can be used in a Gen IV, but I don't see how yet.
I appreciate any help you can offer.
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Car: 1967 Firebird P.T.
Engine: LS3 4" Strkr 422ci
Transmission: MN12 6 speed
Axle/Gears: 3.73 8.5" 10 Bolt Eaton
Re: LC9 V8 Truck engine swap?
-Will the stock VVT cam be able to handle 8 psi boost?
-If not, I'll get a VVT delete kit and a new cam. Texas Speed and Performance recommends a 220 on a 114 lobe. Can a 3 bolt cam work with a 58x reluctor wheel? The LS book from Texas Speed says a Gen III camshaft can be used in a Gen IV, but I don't see how yet.
If you delete VVT, you need to swap the cam gear out to the new camshaft to run a Gen 3 cam and get rid of the cam phaser. Dont forget its an E38 or 39 ecm (or an E60 in your case since you want to run a 6speed MT). Ive found a few headaches with how i want to run my own LC9 so ive decided to just rip it down, swap to 24X, delete AFM/DOD/VVT and run it off an 0411 ecm with twin S/C'ers, eccentially a Gen III motor. It'd be nice to run a Gen IV ECM but I want DBC and its just too much of a pain in the ***. Especially with GM's new O.S's for these ECMs.
Since Ive had my LC9 for a few weeks and have done my research on it, my own opinion on it for a swapper is this, buy an L33 5.3 instead lol. I'm keepin my LC9 only becuase of the base cost i got it for. Good luck
#7
Re: LC9 V8 Truck engine swap?
Thanks. I talked with Texas Speed and Performance, and I went with their recommendations. They were very helpful. I bought a 220r cam on a 114 LSA. It's supposed to work well on 5.3L engine, and it will still be able to run boost without a problem (I may add boost later). I also got a DOD delete kit and a VVT delete kit. The cam is a 3 bolt, and it can work with a 58x reluctor. You probably know better at this point about the reluctor. Will changing the reluctor simplify the swap? I plan on using a Holley Avenger ECM or a Chevy performance ECM that is designed for engine swaps. I don't want a used ECM from a LS camaro that has security stuff disabled.
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#8
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Car: 1967 Firebird P.T.
Engine: LS3 4" Strkr 422ci
Transmission: MN12 6 speed
Axle/Gears: 3.73 8.5" 10 Bolt Eaton
Re: LC9 V8 Truck engine swap?
Thanks. I talked with Texas Speed and Performance, and I went with their recommendations. They were very helpful. I bought a 220r cam on a 114 LSA. It's supposed to work well on 5.3L engine, and it will still be able to run boost without a problem (I may add boost later). I also got a DOD delete kit and a VVT delete kit. The cam is a 3 bolt, and it can work with a 58x reluctor. You probably know better at this point about the reluctor. Will changing the reluctor simplify the swap? I plan on using a Holley Avenger ECM or a Chevy performance ECM that is designed for engine swaps. I don't want a used ECM from a LS camaro that has security stuff disabled.
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