1989 IROC 305 TPI/ T5 to 6.0 LQ4/ T56
 

I'm close to dropping the 6.0 into the car and have decided to start a thread for my swap into my 89 IROC convertible. I bought the car 10 years ago and have been happy with the stock 305. I ran a best 14.8 at the track a few years ago, but last summer, I could tell that it was getting tired. I purchased a LQ4 shortblock off of a friend of mine 2 years ago in hopes of starting the build then. House projects and other bills put that on a hold up until this past September. I found a lot of parts on ls1tech classifieds along with ebay. I was patient over the past few months searching for the best deals. Here is what I started with back in December.

ENGINE:
6.0 LQ4 short block
Manley Rods
SRP Pistons/Rings
PRC Stage 2.5 5.3L heads
TSP Torquer V2 232/234 .595/.598 112 LSA
TSP Ported Oil Pump
LS2 Timing Chain
LS6 Intake
LS1 oil pan
Hawks/ Stainless Works LT's 1 3/4 w/3" collector, custom Y & Elec. cutout
stock ls1 clamshells, spohn motor mounts

accessories/sensors/miscellaneous parts (stock LS1)

TRANSMISSION:
2002 T-56 w/ PCM and wiring harness
New Slave Cylinder/Throwout
TICK Master cylinder
Spec Stage 2 Clutch
Spec steel flywheel
HAWKS T-56 swap crossmember
2002 Center console (may or may not use)

Suspension
BMR subframe connectors
UMI torque arm
UMI panhard bar
Eibach sportline springs
BMR strut tower bar

I dropped the motor off at Andy Jensen's Engine Technologies in Nescopeck, (Northeastern) Pa. in the beginning of December. My original plan was to have him go over the bottom end and use what was there. He called a few weeks later and said that the crank was good, but the pistons and rods needed to be replaced. Picked up the motor 2 weeks ago and I am in hopes that I'll be dropping it in this weekend. I'll post pics of the progress that I've already made over the past few weeks.

Re: 1989 IROC 305 TPI/ T5 to 6.0 LQ4/ T56
 

The motor and trans were out after weekend.
Attachment 376426

Once they were out of the way, I cleaned the engine bay and the undercarriage the best I could and sprayed with black semi-gloss.

I followed the diagram that is found on a lot of threads which made things very simple.
Attachment 376427
Attachment 376428

Also managed to sneak the Tick MS in without removing/loosening the brake booster. The car was an original T5 so there weren't any clearance issues.
Attachment 376429

Re: 1989 IROC 305 TPI/ T5 to 6.0 LQ4/ T56
 

Just bolted on some parts over the last few days. Ordered all of the coolant hoses, coolant crossover pipes, belt, PCV system and catch can. I had to get a new power steering resevoir since the used one that I got along with all of the other accessories 2 months ago had a crack in it. Pretty sure I caused the crack with all of the boxes being carelessly moved around the garage a million times. Along with the cracked resevoir, I saw that my PS pulley had a small crack starting. Order a new one of those as well. Spending money to spend more money.
Found out that the stock 3rd gen. torque arm mount bolts directly to the T56. Also scored an LS6 intake, 28lb injectors, UMI lower control arms, and FAST 78 throttle body from my brother. I'm glad he is upgrading his parts at this time. Makes it easier for me and saves on shipping costs.
I am hoping to drop the motor in the car this weekend or next. Then it will be on to the wiring and a FROST mail order tune. Hopefully by that time I won't need to order any more parts. Although I thought I had everything I needed last weekend until I made a new list and UPS dropped off some boxes at my house. My goal is to have the car at least running by mid to late March. This will give me time to get the little **** sorted and figured out. Our room is booked for the Ocean City, Maryland Cruise Weekend. As long as everything is up and running, I'll be driving it down there!
Attachment 376424
Attachment 376425
the headers will be coming off before I drop the motor in, just had to see what they looked like bolted on

Re: 1989 IROC 305 TPI/ T5 to 6.0 LQ4/ T56
 

This past weekend, I trimmed the tabs on the 4th gen fans and attached to the 3rd gen radiator. Also sold the T5 so that will help pay off some of the bills.

Re: 1989 IROC 305 TPI/ T5 to 6.0 LQ4/ T56
 

:thumbsup: i hope to make it back to o.c soon with a car. It's not fun at all without your own car.

Build is looking good so far!

Re: 1989 IROC 305 TPI/ T5 to 6.0 LQ4/ T56
 

Thanks...I was in OC last year with my car. Wasn't so much fun driving around though....coolant temps were through the roof sitting in traffic along with the car running like ****.

Re: 1989 IROC 305 TPI/ T5 to 6.0 LQ4/ T56
 

Any updates???

Re: 1989 IROC 305 TPI/ T5 to 6.0 LQ4/ T56
 

I got the car on the road in April. Here is a link to my build thread that I did over on LS1.com.

http://www.ls1.com/forums/f124/1989-...q4-t56-162098/