The swap bug is starting to bite real bad. I am looking to swap a LS3 and Tremec magnum into my 88 IROC. I really don't want to do a lot of fab work so I am trying to find kits to use for the swap as in accessory drives, engine and trans.The GM Connect and Cruise packages look really good. I stumbled upon a site that looks interesting. Has anyone dealt with Silver Sport Transmissions? They have these PerfectFit kits but do not list anything for the 3rd gen. They have a kit for 2nd gen Camaros. I was wondering if the 2nd gen camaro engines and transmission fit the same as the 3rd gen camaros. These kits provide everything from the pilot bearing back, including driveshaft. Has anyone every installed one of these kits?

 

Drop the new LT in your IROC!!! Might be the first, I'm not sure...

 

Not a LT, One of the LS3s. Just not sure which one yet. Leaning toward the 430HP model but that may change. the LT1 is about $2600 more HHHMMMMM I do have a 6th gen just sitting in my garage.............

 

Your IROC should be the pilot build, so the rest of us curious folk can know what we need to make the swap possible. LOL

 

I was hoping someone else would have been the pilot build.

My main questions:

1. Does the Magnum transmission place the shifter in the stock location? Apparently, the Magnum tranny uses a standard output yoke but I assume the driveshaft needs to be shortened. The TR6060 required too much work from what I read.

2. Research has shown that the front accessory drives from a 4th gen should work. Does anyone sell a complete kit? I know I could find used but used stuff on a new motor just doesn't look as good. I want to stay away from the billet stuff. The Chevy Performance serpentine drive system 12497698 is what I would want. Would this fit a 3rd gen with LS3?

 

I'd love to do the pilot, but $$$$.
Swapping an LS3 is exactly like any other LSx swap, we have a whole separate sub-forum just for that. The TR6060 is just an evolution of the T56.

 

I just noticed the sub-forum. Maybe someone can move this thread to there.

 

Done.

I'm considering an upgrade to an LS3 myself (probably won't settle for anything less than the 525 HP version).

You might want to look into the Holley/Hooker Blackheart system. https://www.holley.com/products/exha.../70501339-RHKR to get you started. Mounts, headers, true-dual exhaust all made to work together. Optional oil pan and heat shields. Should handle an LS3 with ease (even the 525 horse engine).

With regard to the driveshaft question, I would do 2 things:
1) Get a 9", 12-bolt, or S60 rear end.
2) After 1) and the engine/trans are installed, measure and have a new beefier driveshaft fabricated (3" DOM tube at minimum, 1350 u-joints recommended).

The PerfectFit 2nd gen kit would be lacking a torque arm mount (the Holley/Hooker transmission crossmember includes a TA mount), and the driveshaft wouldn't be the correct length.

 

You don't need a Magnum. A T56 is less expensive and strong enough for you and it will be more tolerant to mis-shifts.

I think the Magnum output shaft has a different spline count. You would need to have a driveshaft made to work with it.

 

Right now, my IROC has been sitting under a cover next to my house for years so I have a ton of work to do once I start. The usual needs to be done: Paint, gas tanks, engine and trans. Brakes are seized up so that will be fun moving it.

Before it completely sinks into the ground, I figured I'd better do something. Reading all these posts from people doing all these swaps really got me excited about getting it running and getting it running well. I do have some money to spend so that is why I am looking at crate engines. Yes I agree with you, the LS3 525HP really looks good. The Connect & Cruise package eliminates having to look for everything plus its all new. I am also looking at the LT1 package. It's about $3200 more but it would be neat since I have a Gen6 Camaro SS and that runs great!!!

 

The only reason I am looking at the Magnum is that the package I am looking at, Connect & Cruise, includes that trans. Plus, I have read that the newer T56s have the shifter mounted further back and require the transmission tailshaft to be modified. I will need to modify my driveshaft anyway so I would get the appropriate yoke.

 

Stock driveshaft wall thickness is nominally 0.065". Other common specs are 0.083", 0.095", and 0.120". 0.083" is good past 750 HP, in a 3500# car on drag slicks, 0.095" is ok for 1000, and .120 should get you to 1400. At that point you want 3.5" tube and 1410 U-Joints anyway.

 

It does, it is the Viper spec output essentially

 

For a Magnum you need to either look at the package Hawks sells that uses a Magnum with a FBody tail housing to accommodate the torque arm and place the shifter in the stock location or use the Holley crossmember that relocates the torque arm to the crossmember. With a stock Magnum and the Holley crossmember, you will need to look at shifter position as well. American Powertrain sells the Magnum / Holley combination for thirdgens. GM EFI magazine has a project car that they did the test fit on.

For accessories. The 98-02 FBody accessories and waterpump will bolt right up to a LS3. That's what we used on our swap.

You will also need to work with the drive by wire for a 58x LS3 system. Hawks makes a pedal bracket for it now to make it more of a bolt on.

You will need to sort out your hydraulics for the Magnum. We used 4th gen pedals with a Tick Adjustable master to a complete Centerforce setup (slave and clutch). There are plenty of other combinations that will work though.

 

Well, I've been researching for months now and finally pulled the trigger!!! I just picked up an engine from a 2017 Camaro. LT1 six speed with 2000 miles. Now the hard work begins. Finding all the stuff needed for the swap: Shifter relocation, drive shaft, motor mounts, harness rework, power steering, fuel system, torque arm, etc, etc. I was partial to the LT1 since I already have a 2016 Camaro 2SS

Any and all suggestions are welcomed!

 

Pictures. Lots of pictures.

 

Here's the engine that I got

 

Here's where it came from!!!!

 

Oh my, the engine and trans are great but the car. WOW... Must have been rolled huh

 

How much work is it to make that trans fit in a thirdgen ?

 

I picked up the engine and trans from the seller. He bought the car from an insurance company. He said the car was rolled several times. He said he talked to the drivers father. He was treated and released. There isn't a straight body part on the whole car! I saw it up close.

 

it should be easy! All I need to do is figure out how to move the shifter, find a crossmember, and figure out what all those electrical connections are for. Gonna be fun.

 

Kudos to you for giving this a go, I will definitely be following this thread! It will be interesting to see if those factory Gen V exhaust manifolds will work in a third gen Camaro. At this point in time, I don't believe anyone makes a swap header for this application.

 

Once I get the old engine out and the all the old wiring and crud out, I plan on doing a test fit to see what fits and what doesn't. I know I need to change the oil pan. Then I need to see if the exhaust will fit, then the shifter location, then the crossmember. This will be followed by the driveshaft and finally the rear and brakes. Any suggestions on the rear? Maybe a Hawks 8.8? I don't know the difference between all the Posi Units.