Hi.
I recently acquired an 86 IROC Camaro shell, and I want to do a full build from the ground up.

Unfortunately, this is my first build of any kind and have no idea where to start.
The car is currently at the body shop getting straightened out, prepped, and eventually painted.

The plan is to LS swap with a blueprint 427 mated to a 4l80e transmission.
I know I would need a new rear end, updated brakes, updated suspension, reinforcement mods (sfc, torque arm, etc…), require, full enterior, the works.

Essentially, I know everything I need to do, I just have no idea the order of operations. What goes first, second, so on and so forth.

Any help would be appreciated, as well as any advice or warnings as well.

 

What you're asking for would require writing a book. While you're waiting for that guy to come around and write it for you, spend some time reading all the sticky threads in the 'engine swap' and 'LTX-LSX' subforums.

As for a 'warning,' whatever you figure your budget to be for this project---double it right now.

Start a build thread in the 'Members Camaros' subforum; those who have walked the same path you plan can be a valuable source of help when you hit "the wall."

Good luck.

 

what ironwill said

 

Agreed. Follow some of the other builds on the forum. You’ll find a lot of great ideas and many posts lamenting certain decisions. You also have to decide how far you want to go with mods. For example, there’s no sense having the body shop prep for paint first if you’re going to tub the backend or build a custom radiator support. Even something like welding in subframe connectors will be less stressful if you don’t have to tiptoe around expensive body work. Check out my build thread in my signature for a few examples of what not to do.

 

Set aside an easy $30k and that should get you pretty much rolling and leave some cash on the table for unexpected things. I found the bigger stuff like motor, trans, and suspension was the easy part. It's the smaller stuff that really nickel and dimes a guy to death

 

Best way to start is pull the engine and trans. DO NOT cut any wires yet. Much info is available to attach new harness to old wires. Clean and paint the engine compartment. Run new brake and fuel lines while nothing is there. Much easier to move around. Maybe drop the tank and replace the fuel pump or buy a new tank such as Aeromotive stealth tank with pump. Remove the steering gear and have it rebuilt. Much easier without an engine in the way. Maybe replace the power booster and master cylinder. Search the forums for replacement steering shafts. If keeping AC, now would be the time to replace the evaporator. Front end work could also be done. Tie rods, center link, idler arm, ball joints and maybe control arm bushings. Next could be brake hoses, caliper upgrade or replacement front and back. All this can be done before even starting with the engine and trans.

You better cover the fenders with some thick padding for protection if you are getting it painted. Maybe just get it primered and get the final paint later. You will be crawling all over the engine compartment and leaning against the fenders doing work. I also had to remove the nose for engine hoist reach. As long as the rear still works, that can be done last. Interior work can be done at any time. I removed everything and applies sound deadening material. Easy to run wires. I went with the Dakota digital dash.

 

This post is the exact reason this forum is 1000000% better than any facebook/discord/whatever website/chat room. 20+ years of history here to search and reference!

 

I agree. I have gotten so much help anytime I ask questions. Only issue I see is links on older threads are not active sometimes or pictures no longer exist.

 

The thing that always kills me about projects of this sort isn't the "nickel and dime" stuff, although that can REALLY add up to ALOT of nickels & dimes. Where I always seemed to fall down was, when I thought I had something figured out and then finally bit off on the parts or services, and then it turned out to be a mistake. It REALLY hurts when this involves major parts. Doing stuff twice, 3 times, MORE, that's where I always got skinned. I don't know how to avoid it, except, be disciplined and ONLY spend on THE VERY NEXT step. Not 5 steps into the future. Plan for em, take em into account, be ready for em, butt DO NOT BUY until whatever you're clicking on today will ACTUALLY BOLT UP TO whatever you already have.

In any project, change orders are the death by 1000 cuts.

 

Planning is key. I start with a spreadsheet with links and prices for every single thing, so I can batch purchase them in stages.

Plus you can figure out where your budget is going to go in advance, and whether or not you need to scale it back.

 

There's a decent book called "GM LS-Series Engines: The Complete Swap Manual" that can be found on the South American Rainforest site and I'm sure other places. Not thirdgen specific but it's a decent guide about swapping an LS in a vehicle that didn't come with an LS -- it's like a Cliff's Notes for LS swaps. I have the first edition from 2011, but there's a second edition published in 2023.

Pat

 

Get the suspension and wheels on the car, steering column so you can roll it around if needed.

After that do all the plumbing (brake lines, fuel lines, fuel tank).

Lay in wiring. Some wire you won't be able to finish because you won't have things in the car to know where it terminates.

At this point you can start dropping in the engine and mechanicals and stuff. That goes really fast and is very satisfying. Don't install radiator until after the stuff is on front of engine. It just keeps you from banging up your radiator.

Do more wiring until you're really sick of it. LOL!

Interior pretty much goes together last. If you put together the interior too early then you'll be taking it back apart again when you realize you need access to something.

And don't worry about redoing something two or three times. That's just part of the learning process. The most important thing is to just do something and not get stuck in analysis paralysis. Always move forward with something even if you have to switch topics.

And have fun! Start a build thread here and we will love to read it.