I have wanted to do this for a long time but didn't quite have the money. I am retired and can afford to do this but wondering if anyone here has done it and any special problems I may run in to over a ls1 or 3 swap. I am talking about the supercharged one in the ctsv. Can someone tell me if the engine externals are basically the same as far as what accessories can go on the front of the engine. Thanks in advance.

 

The long block is a basic LSx, nothing special. Both ZL1 camaro and CTS-V LSA's are wet sump, so no huge tank to store and any common LSx pan (Fbody or corvette) will fit without issue

Main hurdles I can see are FEAD fitment, especially around the steering box and factory hood clearance for the blower, which may not be an issue since GM designed these inverted blower boxes to fit in low hoodline cars

I had to move my current blower setup 1" forward to clear the wiper motor and AC comp-A arm box, which again wasnt a big deal and off-the-shelf parts still exist to do so, I was too cheap to buy what I could fabricate for free

 

Just the kind of info I was looking for. Thanks. Definitely going to move forward with the project. Thanks.

 

the lsa has better than normal ls crank. its forged. unlike the stock common 3.622 crank.
the lsa heads are slightly heavier by 2-3lb. than a common ls3/l92.
have a wing in the intake.port and are of a better roto cast casting process.
if you really have to have a lsa. prolly make sense to build a lsa crank with forged rods/pistons. the stock are not forged. but the lsa crank prolly cost as much as a eagle stroker crank.
i was kinda in the same boat. i was originally gonna go with a stock 4.8,
but im gonna push it hard, very hard, and the thought of the stock gm motor coming apart, didnt sit well. dont get off on destroying good motors for kicks. and factored in the reliabilty and capacity and it made sense at least to me to overbuild.
coated bearings, main studs,head studs, coated pistons,blueprinted everything.
build my own stuff. do save a few bux there. built this thing to take 7500rpm shifts and up to 30psi max, but doubt my sc will ever.make that. should take 1000hp reliably.
just if youre set on buying a crate lsa motor, consider a forged shop built motor. prolly come in or even lower on the price over a gm crate motor.
lsa in zl1 and v use a electric ps pump iirc

 

I am not going to modify the lsa. I got one out of a new CTS V with only 1200 miles on it and also got the 6 speed manual out of it. Hardly broken in. With Long Tube headers and free flowing exhaust that will be plenty of power for me. I love the fact of all the power and total driveability. I will start posting some photos as I get going on the project.

 

The Cadillac T56 will pose quite a few challenges just getting it in the car. Call up a reputable T56 shop and see whats ahead of you. There was a thread about it recently here

 

thats dam near new motor. i came across a few low miles lsa motors online, i was looking around for one. but prices too high for me. for used motors.a local jy has 2012 ctsv and they want 8000$ for the engine w sc.
comes with pcm/harness.

 

Thats not a bad price considering new they are over double that and camaro LS3 dropouts are commonly 8-10k without the blower

 

i guess it may be a good price considering.
but i prefer to not drop 8k$.lol
i will have around 8-10k$ total in my car with a bullet proof 410ci.
i seen its a good deal considering the current prices.
gmpartshouse.com will sell u the complete sc and even in pieces. cool gm parts site. have a exploded view of the lsa sc with every single component neefed

 

Just a little update. I realize this is way beyond my skill level so the car will be headed to Bruce at Hawks 3rd Gen for the job. He hasn't done an LSA in a 3rd gen and is pretty excited about doing it. Photos to follow as he provides them to me.

 

This shall be quite the build if its in Bruces hands now.I expect a clean job followed by another tease youtube vid from Bruce of the car on the dyno making a pull lol.

 

Subscribed! I like to see this build

 

Bump any updates?

 

I have had a nightmare time with Passport Transport. My Camaro only has 11k miles on it so I am shipping it to Hawks with Passport transport Enclosed. I have used them before and they are great but not this time. I have called everyday and always get a different story. They are finally today picking my car up and taking it to Hawks. Bruce will be on vacation from the 4th to the 14th so right after that I should start being able to post some photos.

 

Posting this for anyone in the future that may do this

LSA FEAD

 

Interesting! Want to see more!

 

Just a little tease.

 

Looks great so far!

 

Thats awesome! Should be a fantastic driving car when finished! Some headers, exhaust work, and a little tuning and it will be PLENTY fun!

Cant wait to see the progress.

J.

 

Wow..its soo pretty it brings a tear to my eye lol.

 

It's going to have Hawks headers and exhaust system, probably a Moser rear end and some suspension work though not sure what I will do until I talk to Bruce again. I am getting very excited. Other than headers I am going for a look that it looks like it's exactly the way Chevy would have made it from the factory.

 

Can't wait to see how this turns out. I could only imagine how much fun that would be to drive. Keep us updated!

 

Made Camaro Performers mag already. Congrats!

Looking forward to seeing this come together.

 

I'm in. I want to see how this turns out. Good luck!

 

Just a few more images. What a beautiful clean job Hawks does. They are real masters. Waiting on wiring harness, heavy duty rear end, drive shaft, wheels and tires and who knows what else. Getting very exciting.

 

In the words of Peter Griffin, FREAKIN' SWEET!!!

 

That going to fit under a stock flat hood? I am really curious to see if it does, would be good news for me for another project

 

Interesting from another perspective in that it seems that Hawks can't make THEIR trans crossmember fit-up properly. Possibly another reason bolt holes seem to have been elongated?

M

 

Good eye. Brake line should be moved as well

 

Haha I saw that too when I was looking to see how they handled the exhaust/crossmember etc. I figured maybe it was because it was the cadi trans? Maybe I missed that it was swapped for an F-body unit...I dont see my trans from that angle very often so I cant tell which it is haha.

Looks AWESOME though! Nice and clean. The car was nice and clean to begin with. So the outcome should be the same!

J.

 

I'm also curious about the hood clearance. I'm also planning on an LSA or similar swap for my '83 and that is something I've been wondering about for awhile.

 

Awesome swap! This would be the same combo I would choose if I had to do it all over again. Jealous!

 

How much $$$ to do all this if you don't mind?? Looks awesome.

 

looking back at my build, I wish I would have thought about doing something like this....I have almost $6k into my blower alone!

 

Boost isn't cheap

 

now that I actually read this thread, I saw this car at hawks a few months ago. I was very impressed with the quality of their workmanship on this swap. They said there was a decent amount of hurdles to clear being that noone has done this swap before.

 

It is the 6 speed out of the CTSV. Also unfortunately the stock hood does not have enough clearance so will have to go aftermarket

 

Here are a few more photos. It's basically done except for new rear end, different pulleys to boost the supercharge pressure by about 5 pounds, and wheels and tires. You can see all the pictures so are at www.91zl1rs.com

 

Subscribed. New Ideas now. Maybe no more original at this point even though everything is running perfect. Hmmmmm.

 

Here is my idea for stripes only flames rather than what's in the photo.

 

Nice clean swap. What wheels you getting?

 

Chrome ZR1 wheels, 11 inch on back and 9.5 on front. The tires in the rear will be Micky Thompson 315/35R17 drag radials and probably 275's on the front but haven't decided on the exact tire. Biggest problem I will have is traction as I don't have the new goodies such as traction control on the beast but it will take a little more skill than just punching the pedal. More fun than a person can legally have with a car. Nice looking 85 you have buddy.

 

 

That's REALLY nice. Can't wait to see 1/4 times.

 

Sorry if I missed this early in the thread, but what kind of hood is that? The sunnoco style one?

 

Yes it's a Sunoco style hood.

 

Wow... Just wow... That car is flat out gorgeous.

Ive been drooling over Camaro Verts for a while now. Kind of want one in stock form just to drop the top on and cruise. And an auto so my wife wont be scared of it haha.

I love that color/stripe combo you picked! Car looks amazing and I bet that sucker is FUN on the street!!!

J.

 

Nice! Do you have any interior pics?

 

Do they make that style of hood for T/As?

 

any updates?