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LTX and LSXPutting LT1s, LS1s, and their variants into Third Gens is becoming more popular. This board is for those who are doing and have done the swaps so they can discuss all of their technical aspects including repairs, swap info, and performance upgrades.
Alright so I decided to pick me up a 92 Z roller a few months back for a LS swap I've always liked the way they looked I just felt like the LS was the engine that this car was meant to have. This is gonna be my build thread, I've been studying up on the stickys here (which are extremely helpful to say the least) on LS swaps, so I feel like I've got most of it down, (except the wiring) but any help is much appreciated.
Alright here is a list, pictures, and prices that I paid for the parts that I have so far
1992 Z28 roller $1200
DBW/4l80e PCM and Harness $100
4th Gen oil pan w/pick up and windage tray $175
4th Gen gas tank $50
Spohn LS swap engine Mounts $90
4th Gen Water pump $120
4th Gen harmonic balancer $90
harmonic balancer bolt $15
LQ9 Motor $1000
machine work $450
flat top pistons $280
gasket kit $325
Torquer V4 cam $380
ls7 lifters with trays $125
Rod and Main bearings $70
4th Gen power steering pump w/bracket, alternator bracket, and LS6 intake $140 (this one was a steal of a deal)
Intake gasket $25 (kit didn't come with one)
Ls clamshell mounts $110
4th Gen 102 amp Alternator $75
DBW Throttle body $50
Maf $50
4th Gen Radiator $60 (broken)
Replacement radiator $100
K&N Air filter $30
Pick up tube O-ring (part #12557752) $12
4l80e Transmission W/flexplate $580
4l80e Crossmember $200
Starter $50
Fuel tank line & Fittings $200 (1000-06-01 -06AN female hose fitting X6) (640850 -06AN to 3/8 quick connect fitting X3) (10 ft of stainless braided hose) ( CT2-666X P 3/8 TEE fitting from home depot X1)
(800-159 doorman fuel repair kit from advanced auto X1) (800-153 fuel repair kit this is one flared closer and connects to fuel feed line and comes with a compression fitting from advanced auto X1)
Head bolts $75
LS2 Timing chain $150
EV1 injector pigtails $15
Fuseblock for Harness $50
241 Heads W/dual springs $325
Valve job $225
TSP pushrods $40
knock sensors $25
Melling high pressure oil pump $140
4l80e cooling lines W/adapters $115
DBW Pedal W/Harness $50
PCM Reflash $110
1 7/8 Speed Engineering Headers $320
Radiator fans $100
Cold air intake tubing $100
Radiator hoses $40
Thermostat $20
torque arm and SFC $400
C5 wheels $350
wheel spacers $100
transmission line and fittings $160
Harness rework $290
Main belt $30
4th gen brakes $50 (broken)
brake line $15
big brake upgrade kit $200
battery $140
power distribution block $30
catch can $60
Lokar transmission dipstick $100
engine dipstick $30
Torque converter bolts $10
02 Sensors $50
Fuel Tank filler neck $35
Spark Plug Wires $35
Radiator Fan Pigtails $20
Oil Port Adapter $10
ECT sensor $40
Driveshaft $140
Oil Filter 2 at $12 ea.
Coolant $20
Oil 10 quarts $60
Fuel Filter $7
Gas Cap $15
Heater Hoses $15
PCV hoses $15
Relays $5
Exhaust and mufflers $225
MPVI2 w/ credits $500
Exhaust manifold gaskets $20
Tune by Frost $300
Brake pads $60
Brake calipers X2 $120
Heater core $40
Total= $11,758
Last edited by Formula Fore; 10-31-2018 at 12:59 PM.
Reason: Updating list
Oh man that's awesome! I'm starting my lq9/t56 (turbo) 85 iroc build in 2 weeks... I havnt don't nearly the amount of research I need to do. I've seen lq9's and t56's in my area.. just plan on buying the big stuff then get all the little stuff afterwards.. the iroc I have has a lt1 in it. gonna sell it and buy lq9 then purchase t56. I'm going to be following your build very closely.. im very interested. cant wait to hear more.
I am in the process of doing an LQ4 and 4L80e swap into an 87 LT. I found Hooker-Holley have a cross member for the 4L80e but dont know anyone who has used it yet.
I am in the process of doing an LQ4 and 4L80e swap into an 87 LT. I found Hooker-Holley have a cross member for the 4L80e but dont know anyone who has used it yet.
picking up all the parts this Friday. hoping to do it all in under a month.
The Hooker 3rd-gen crossmember is likely to give you installation issues if you use it with engine brackets other than the Hooker engine brackets it was designed for use with. This is because the Hooker engine brackets move the engine/transmission mating plane forward by approximately 5/8" from the stock SB Chevy position.
Finally got some free time to get into the engine a couple days ago and it was just a complete mess. Ended up having water in the oil, spun bearings, rusted cylinders, bad lifters, hell you name it and it was either spun or rusted. So disssembled it all and took it to the machine shop yesterday, and to my surprise the block is still good to go, just needs a bore and hone i am however gonna need to go get a new crankshaft, piston tops, and rings. I wasn't planning on a complete rebuild, so I just have to add this to the ever expanding budget.
I'm just going start removing the harness from the car and strip it while I wait on the engine to return from the machine shop. I still need to read over pockets sticky a few more times though
Have to say I've never seen an LS engine, either in person or in pictures, with that much rust inside it. Wow.
Since you have to get a new crank and pistons anyway, might as well make it a 4" stroke. New rods wouldn't be a bad idea while you're at it.
Having done both an LS1 4th gen plastic tank and kept the factory 3rd gen tank, I'd recommend selling the plastic tank and just getting a better in-tank fuel pump for the 3rd gen tank.
Having done both an LS1 4th gen plastic tank and kept the factory 3rd gen tank, I'd recommend selling the plastic tank and just getting a better in-tank fuel pump for the 3rd gen tank.
Five,
Can you elaborate a little more? I have been researching this and most folks say it was a great swap, mostly due to the internal baffling and return-less set-up. Did any 3rd gen tank come with baffling? 1LE?
Can you elaborate a little more? I have been researching this and most folks say it was a great swap, mostly due to the internal baffling and return-less set-up. Did any 3rd gen tank come with baffling? 1LE?
Not only the 1LE, but also all 92s, and possibly all 91s, afaik.
Have to say I've never seen an LS engine, either in person or in pictures, with that much rust inside it. Wow.
Since you have to get a new crank and pistons anyway, might as well make it a 4" stroke. New rods wouldn't be a bad idea while you're at it.
Having done both an LS1 4th gen plastic tank and kept the factory 3rd gen tank, I'd recommend selling the plastic tank and just getting a better in-tank fuel pump for the 3rd gen tank.
yea it was pretty jacked up but these things can take a pretty solid beating thankfully. On the 4th gen tank i mostly went with it because I can find them for pretty cheap around here.
Finally got the engine back from the machine shop today and it cleaned up nice bored .030 with some flat top pistons. Just ordered a Torquer V4 cam after talking to Chris from Texas speed, it should be in tomorrow afternoon so now it's time to start assembly on the engine
What have you found so far for the member to use with the 4l80? I' currently doing the same just lq4 with 4l80 and trying to find the best option for it, I'd rather not have to make one if I don't have to even tho i work a metal shop 😅😅 I don' really have the time to make one at work
What have you found so far for the member to use with the 4l80? I' currently doing the same just lq4 with 4l80 and trying to find the best option for it, I'd rather not have to make one if I don't have to even tho i work a metal shop 😅😅 I don' really have the time to make one at work
haven't really gotten around to that part of the car yet been super busy at work lately and dealing with the engine is a task all in itself. I will let ya know when I do get there, though it might not be any time soon with the rate this is going haha.
I found a set up through Holley they sell a one, it' a bit pricey and I'm waiting for it to come in, if it works out well for me I'll let you know, I also used their motor mounts too as it's a whole series to be used together
I found a set up through Holley they sell a one, it' a bit pricey and I'm waiting for it to come in, if it works out well for me I'll let you know, I also used their motor mounts too as it's a whole series to be used together
I'd appreciate that a ton I'll look for your word on it in a few thanks
Ended up having to get different heads as the originals had a crack in them, so I found some 241 heads with dual springs, and some chrome moly pushrods for a pretty good deal, just had to send them off to get a valve job done. Got them installed today along with the rockers and push rods and a few other things. Just need to paint and hang the rest of the accessories and I'm done with the engine building portion of this project
Nice i just got mine in yesterday, trans would be in too but ran into a problem with my flexplate not fitting the torque converter I got so now I need to figure out what one i need.
Nice i just got mine in yesterday, trans would be in too but ran into a problem with my flexplate not fitting the torque converter I got so now I need to figure out what one i need.
nice looking good does that holley Crossmember look like it's going to work?
Got some more work done on the engine it's mostly put together accept for a few accessories, I also got the old fuel tank removed and installed the 4th gen tank was a pretty simple swap just needed to figure out wich fittings i needed and it bolted right in. So now I'm going to start really focusing on the LS harness and get it torn apart and put back together using pockets guides of course I'm not the best at wiring so this part might take me a while
Last edited by Formula Fore; 04-25-2018 at 11:29 PM.
Having done both an LS1 4th gen plastic tank and kept the factory 3rd gen tank, I'd recommend selling the plastic tank and just getting a better in-tank fuel pump for the 3rd gen tank.
I put 3 LS plastic tanks in and it is totally worth it, for the low fuel drivability alone is worth it,especially on an LS swap
Nice job on the fuel tank. Which fittings did you use end up using to connect to the fourth gen sending unit?
Thanks it took me a while to get it all figured out, and for the sending unit i used Russell quick connect 3/8 to -6AN part# 640850
i will update my price list with the part numbers and quantities of all the parts i used for the fuel tank to try and help anyone looking to swap in a 4th gen tank
Last edited by Formula Fore; 12-07-2017 at 10:03 PM.
I found a set up through Holley they sell a one, it' a bit pricey and I'm waiting for it to come in, if it works out well for me I'll let you know, I also used their motor mounts too as it's a whole series to be used together
Watching this... Have you started a thread on your build?
Been a while simce my last update but I got the alternator bracket hole drilled and tapped, the 4l80e connected, got the fittings, the PA racing Crossmember, some stainless line, and im getting ready to install this weekend. I'm also just about finished with the harness just got a few more wires to lengthen and shorten and connect the fuse block
thanks the harness has been a real pain but i think i got the hang of it now and as far as the 4l80e goes i personally haven't done a test fit yet i've been waiting on the weather to get a little warmer around here we Texans are not familiar with this 20 degree weather it is supposed to be warming up this weekend so hopefully i can get some more work done
Edit* Also sent in the PCM yesterday to get vats removed and a mail order tune put in I do have to say all of these little things really do start to add up, never in my life did i think i would ever spend this much money on fittings lol
Last edited by Formula Fore; 01-04-2018 at 07:47 AM.
I do have to say all of these little things really do start to add up, never in my life did i think i would ever spend this much money on fittings lol
Yeah, I know what you mean. There were a few things on my car that I felt cost a stupid amount of money for what I got out of it. The fuel system was one of those things.
It was a great day to work on the car in the low 70s so I got around to installing the engine and tranny and it feels very satisfying just a few more odds and ends to the up and will be firing up soon
Finally Finished up the painful process of wiring the harness today and got the lights working now im just waiting on a few pieces to be delivered and if all goes well the first start up attempt will be tomorrow
Been upgrading a few things I ordered the BBU kit with the hubs and bracket for the 4th gen brakes and modified the spindle myself and I also got some C5 Y2Ks for a decent deal. Also got around to ordering the pieces for the cold air intake and it looks pretty good
Last edited by Formula Fore; 04-07-2018 at 05:22 PM.
09-21-2017, 04:55 PM
it is supposed to be warming up this weekend so hopefully i can get some more work done 
so I got around to installing the engine and tranny and it feels very satisfying just a few more odds and ends to the up and will be firing up soon
