Finally getting time and money to build my Iroc somewhat like I want to. It's been 2 years in planning this build, then replanning, buying, then selling, and buying some more lol. I'm finally to the point where I know what I want and I'm in the process of working on it.

Unfortunately I can only work on this SOME weekends and at night. I just opened up a shop in the SF Bay Area so I've been busy working on everyone else's cars. It sucks but it pays the bills.

So this is what it comes down to... I got a good deal on an LS1/4L60e and a 5.3, separate deals but both in exchange for labor. It's how I got most of the parts that I'm using, except the ones I bought brand new.

I've got an 86 Iroc now, but looking to get another 89 to use for the swap since it's in better condition, I should be picking it up this week. So the build goes as follows....


Engine:
-5.3L LM7 from a 2001 Suburban
-TEA Stg 1.5 706 Heads
-PRC Dual .650 Lift Springs
-Thunder Racing 7.400" Pushrods
-Synergy Motorsports Oil Pump
-LS2 Timing Chain
-LS6 Cam from a 2001 Z06
-LS6 Valley Cover & PCV
-LS6 Intake Manifold
-2001 Camaro Exhaust Manifolds
-All New Gaskets
-New Knock Sensors
-New Engine Mounts
-NGK TR55 Plugs

Trans
-Rebuilt 4L60e with Shift Kit has about 70k miles on it (We'll see how long it lasts)
-PTC 3500 Stall Converter

Fuel
-4th Gen Fuel Tank w/ Stock Pump (for now)
-Stainless Steel Fuel Lines and Russell AN fittings
-Corvette Fuel Pressure Regulator
-97 Grand Prix Sending Unit

Rear
-4th Gen Rear
-3.42 Gears

Suspension
-BMR Lower Control Arms
-Edelbrock Panhard Bar
-Edelbrock Torque Arm
-New Monroe Shocks and Struts
-New Tie Rod Ends (Inner & Outer)
-New Sway Bar End Links


I will be using Spohn Engine Mounts and Spohn Transmission Mount w/ Driveshaft Loop

I'm putting it together as a Stock-ish NA setup and after its running will go on to add Twin Turbos, hence why I'm using the 5.3 Block instead of the LS1 Block with the 317 Heads that I have.

Now, Onto the pics....


The 5.3 Block before I put the heads on and Painted it




2.00" Valves in the 706 Heads




Heads on...




706 Heads and PRC Dual Gold .650's




Some of the parts




More Parts




LS6 Cam, LS2 Timing Chain, Synergy Pump and Valve Covers on...











--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EDIT Video added to post #77

Having a Parts Washer DEFINITELY helps, Took me a few Hours to Clean the F-Body Oil Pan, But its clean, and installed...




Manifolds, Balancer, and a few other parts...




Edelbrock Adjustable TQ Arm




4th Gen Tank




Eibach Pro-Kit Springs




Spohn Trans Mount Powdercoated Red, It's a Shame it'll be hidden under the car!




Where I spend most of my days...

got my attention

sub'd.

Big congrats on your shops success!

Thank you!!! I just wish I could get a little time for my own projects lol....

Figured I'd post a couple pics of the car... just picked it up on Wednesday. I'd been eyeing it for a few months. I also have another 89 and an 86. The 86 was the previous swap candidate but it's in worse shape than this 89 though. In one of the pics you can see the primer black 86 in the background.


It's been repainted a Pearl White, has a little paint damage on the front end. Left Front fender needs to be replaced, but it runs and drives. Needs a few little things but I'll take care of those quickly. Going to put in the lowering springs and Shocks/Struts on Sunday. Possibly add the ZR1's I've had set aside.

Going to be a nice car. Great daily driver.
3rd gen wheels will not fit a 4th gen rear. You will want 4th gen, or C5 wheels. Active trade for both on Ebay. C5s seemed the better deal when I got mine. You WILL need to hang out and wait for the right deal, but it looks like you are pretty good at that.
Another wrinkle you are probably aware of, CA wants you to use all the 4th gen smog equipment that came with the engine.
You may want to snag some brakes, too.
Keep us posted.

I used my 3rd gen 16" stock rims on my 4th gen rear end swap for almost 6 months. No rubbing or clearance issues here. WCS, you might need a 1"spacer. No need for a wheel swap

heres a pic from right after the swap

I mentioned it in my other reply, but I've got a set of Chrome ZR1's, I've also got a set of Gunmetal ZR1's, 4th Gen Wheels. For the time being until I put in the 4th Gen rear I'm going to use the 2" Spacers. I have A set of LS1 Brake Rotors and Calipers as well, along with some Brackets for the LS1 brake swap.

Ahhh didn't take a pic of the brakes, but I have some in my garage at home, they just haven't made it to the shop yet.

Also, yes, I'm aware of the Swap Restrictions...

Here's a few pics of my 2000 SS... Been around Camaros for most of my life... Debating on painting this Iroc the same Blue as my SS or keeping it Pearl White and Putting a Blue Stripe on the SS Style hood...

Video from when I first installed the cam a year and a half ago....

Hey, wheels and brakes.....looks like you are set.
Think a good white, with a blue stripe (front to back)- use that blue- could look great.... part of the family, but its own critter.
Might want to work with just how the stripe (or stripes) go, sometimes tricky.... lots of history, US racing colors.

Getting ready to pull the 350




My Girl helping out with the work




Ready to pull out









All Out...













Just pulled the engine today, going to begin work on the harness tomorrow night so that I can get it ready to go back together. The less down time the better... I'd like to get this thing running in the next 2 weeks or so... We'll see how this goes.

2 weeks, I love it. Some small details you may find.
#8 coil gets into the HVAC box... like others, I cut a small relief in the box (and glassed around).
I have to change #8 plug from the bottom.
Also, many lift the front and put the LS and Tranny, with K attached, in from below. Works pretty well.

Thanks. I'm most likely going to drop the K-Member so that I can paint it and the engine bay so I'll probably put that in together this time. I'm using the 1LE AC Delete box so I won't have any interference with the HVAC box.

subscribed.

Pressure washed the engine bay and the undercarriage a little today between XMas shopping and all the other fun involved in the holidays... Also planning on undercoating it so it stays nice and clean... A few pics, Going to start working on the harness tomorrow as well...













Also, put the Eibach Pro-Kit Springs in along with new sway bar end links last week before the engine came out... Doesn't seem like it's low enough for me, but We'll see after I put the ZR1's on...

Nice and clean underneath. When you pull the heat shield, you can make sure there is no corruption hidden away there. New exhaust location has nothing to do with SBC versions. As you know, it goes elsewhere.
I have the alum block LS1 and my car was to the moon with Pro Kits. To dial in the ride height, I went to Sportlines (in the rear- coil overs up front) and skinny spring isolators. 1/4" total with 2.
Love your approach, but wonder if the Monroe shocks will be able to keep up with what you have when you put turbos on.

There shouldn't be much corrosion or rust since it is a CA car, as far as dirt, I have no clue. The rest of the old exhaust will come down when I drop the rear, just so that I don't have to cut it up. I'm thinking Sportlines will be the best bet, Eventually I want to go with a Tubular K-Member and coil-over kit, but money is tight at the moment. So we'll see what it does and then adjust as needed.

Nice build....

what type of powe are u making with you combo with the 5.3

Pic of first time on ground with LS1 and ProKit springs.

(cleared the air).

what kind of power are you making

Hey Giraffe- Just adding a pic for a Dec 24th post about going to Sportlines, from Pro Kit springs..... he was talking about his car being up in the air with Pro Kits.

Just busting your chops, breezing through the thread I didn't see his question.

BTW: In the pic you posted the car is pretty tall, but in your sig it is a lot lower... Did the springs settle in? If so can you post a larger version of the picture for reference?

I'd like to make about 320-330 with the stall. Being that it has ported heads, ls6 cam and ls6 intake I think that'll help over a stock 5.3. The auto with stall and not having headers will kill my HP but I'd rather not waste the money in doing Headers since I'm going Turbo in a couple months. I'm looking to get mid 12's on this setup without the turbos.








Here's an iPhone pic of my Iroc the night that I installed the springs. Seemed to only go a half inch lower if that. Needless to say I'm thinking about going with Sportlines on it... I want to see the look with the 17" ZR1's on first but I doubt it'll be much change.


Also I have a couple updates in a bit...

Car looks good! What's up with the exhaust? Lol

that is different how did you get the exhaust like that

if you have the head work done by tea you should have at least 370 to the wheel.those tea head work really wake up all of the ls motors.espeacialy if you got a nasty tune for every thing to come together.

Exhaust was like this when I bought the car about 3 weeks ago... 12/12/12


Well being that it's just a 5.3 with an LS6 Cam and a Stall I'm not sure... I'd love to make 370 but we'll see... I use Synergy Motorsports out here in the Bay Area for my tuning, even with customer cars, so I'll contact him for a tune.

My girl wants to get an Iroc and do an LS Swap to it, so it looks like she's going to be using my 86 Iroc and doing the rehab to it... double trouble lol.





Looking for more info on running the LS1 Fuel Tank, I want to get it in this week so that everything can be completed, but I'm not sure which lines to use. I want to use stainless steel braided lines but they're a little too expensive for my taste at the moment. Gotta get this thing running since I shoved my foot in my mouth and said it'll be at the track on January 12th lol

that little 5.3 can make 500 horse power without no power additives or a stroker cranks.just head work and a cam and header and a after market intake.the 5.3 its a very strong little motor the 4.8 is stronger as far as stock parts holding up to high horse power goes.hell that motor also can be build to push out at least 460- 470 hp max with out power additives.by you having those heads worked on by tea that shouls help your 5.3 push over the 430 hp mark and beyond.even with the ls6 cam and the head work and a nice tune with your stall you should see at least 370 or 360 to the wheel.you should add some 1.8 ratio full rocker arms and that little 5.3 will sing.

In stock mode the 5.3 with a damn good tune and headers can make around 335-340 horses if you get the l33 which i think has the stock 4.8 piston(which are flat tops)you should make 360hp alone with no bolt on except for the headers.these motors are seriously detuned from the factory. so if you add the head work and the cam,headers,and full roller 1.8 roller rocker arms yea with the stock intake you should be hovering at 410-420hp easly at the least.those little 5.3 are very under rated.

damn matt, glad too see that that thing is coming along great, ill try and get you that ac delete box asap, might even hook u up with the one on my z28, since it will be a while before I complete my ls swap.

- geary

Yeah the 5.3 is pretty strong, that's the reason I'm using this engine and not the LS1 or the LS6 Blocks that I have. I hope it gives me good power, although I'm not running headers. 370 would be real nice to get... we'll see when I strap it to the dyno.



Thank you sir!!! Let me know, otherwise I'll get one off flea bay... I may head out to Pick-N-Pull in Fairfield on Tuesday for a few odds and ends. I need to replace the Headlight harness on this car since some of the connectors are fried. You gotta come check out the shop sometime!!

Removed the Original seats... the carpet needs some MAJOR cleaning... but I'm replacing all the red stuff with black for a cleaner look once the engine is running...




Installed the original seats from my SS... Going to probably get these recovered in Black Leather and White Suede or white leather eventually, but that'll come later







Removed the rear from the car to swap it with the 4th Gen rear with 3.42's... You can see the 86 Iroc in the background which is going to be built up next...







Sprayed the Engine Bay black, used Rattle can since I don't have a sprayer, came out pretty good, going to sand it a little and coat it a couple more times before the engine goes in it...






Also pressure washed the trans... yeah yeah yeah I know... I shouldn't have... oh well I'm going to build another one for it so that when this takes a dump on me I'll have another one ready...




4th Gen rear sitting under the car, not bolted up yet, since I've got to drop the tank first.

I thought I got a pic of the undercoating, I guess I didn't yet, I'll get one tomorrow... I've also got an Edelbrock PHB, BMR LCA's and new shocks for the rear.

The only thing holding the build up at this point is the fuel lines and the wiring harness. Going to finish that this week... I'd like to get it to the muffler shop next week so that I can hit the track in the car on the 12th... Easier said than done...

thats cool your building the suspention at the same time

Thanks, I'd love to be able to get the Tubular K-Member and A-Arms but money is short, especially with a new business. Those will be coming soon though...




UPDATE: Got the fuel lines figured out, so I'll be getting that in Friday evening if I have the time, I also began to work on the wiring harness the other night, I've got pics but I forgot my Camera at the shop, I'll get pics up shortly...

UPDATES: Finally getting around to posting them...

Wiring = Blah!!!! Got the 4th Gen harness stripped down, and working on laying it out on my engine. Still haven't figured out where the MAP and IAT will sit, but I'm going to give them enough room so that I can wire them up near the Driver's side fender.





Organized Mess...




2" Hole saw so that I can run the wiring thru to the Inside of the car...




Drilled the hole for the wiring wasn't as bad as I thought it would be...




View from the inside of the car, I hit the bottom of the heater box slightly but oh well, it won't hurt it.




Also got the 1LE heater box and BIG THANKS to Geary (92z28outlaw) for hooking me up with it!!



Here you can see how the hole clears the heaterbox and is still far enough above the frame rail to keep water out...




I've still got a bit more to do, I also need to sand the engine bay so that I can get the black paint to lay flatter. It would help if I had the proper spray equipment but for now I'm only using rattle can.

Began Mocking up the wiring on the engine as well...

Drilled and Tapped for the Alternator Bracket...








Also this is how the Iroc sits at the moment... Still have to drop the tank and do the fuel lines, also finish the undercoating....



Also my girl is now starting to work on my 86, which We will be building for her... well, her building it with my advise and direction... Fun lol

Maybe its just me, but I like the black seats with red carpet combo, its different.

how did I miss this?? looking good so far!!

I just dig those 50s Sci-Fi movie posters.......... LOL

Your project is moving along very quickly! Sounds like you have the tank figured out as far as lines go. Tank is really a direct bolt in. Filler hose needs to be shortened b about 2 inches to allow the gas door to shut. I have a 0-90 ohm sender if you plan to keep the factory fuel guage, and haven't yet got a hold of one, its NIB. Hope you get it done in time, you might just make it.

Ehhh... it's different... I don't particularly care for the red interior, but that's the card I was dealt lol... The black seat/red carpet look isn't bad though.



Thanks. Just started the thread about a month ago. Trying to get time to finish it now...



Lol!!! Had to take a pic of how I was feeling about wiring


Thank you, I'm trying to finish it up this weekend, or Monday at the latest, I'd like to get it to the muffler shop ASAP so I can have it at the track next weekend, crazy, I know. I've got the Grand Prix Sender, but I'll need another one for my girl's Iroc swap. PM me.

This wiring is making me CRAZY!!!!

It's the last thing I need to get done... the Tank is in, the rear just needs to be bolted up, but this is taking longer than I wanted it to... But day to day life and running a business have gotten in the way of some of it.

Matt

This is how I feel. I can't think about it for 20 min. with out a customer coming in the door, Not really a bad thing just slowing me down! Keep up the good work!

EXACT same boat I'm in...

Got a few updates, but I've left my Camera at home the last few days... Still working on the harness, that's the last issue holding up the build. Trying to figure out an easy way to run the 4th gen radiator as well, but may just end up flushing out the stock 3rd Gen radiator and running that... was hoping I didn't have to though since the 4th gen radiators I have are in better shape... anyone have any input on this??


Sorry these are iPhone pics, the only thing I had at the shop lol



Engine in the car, bolted up...




ZR1's on, got a set of 2.5" Spacers for free from a friend, hopefully it won't sit too far out but nonetheless all 4 wheels are on...




Used both stock 4th gen Power Steering Lines




Knock Sensors and Harnesses in... All Accessories on...








Pushed it out of the shop today just for a little more motivation lol