I've committed to finishing my GTA... It's an LS1/4L60e swap. I need some help and am willing to pay (and would love to assist in wrench turning if I can).

• Crossmember notch - One large part that I'm not able to do myself is notching the crossmember for the oil pan and maybe-future AC compressor. I'm no welder and don't have the space or tools to remove the crossmember. And frankly, it's a frightening thought.
• New motor mounts (motor side) - This could be done quickly when the crossmember is notched. I'll have the parts available.
• New transmission dipstick - I've got the tube and indicator from an 04 GTO that I hope will fit - but the transmission needs to be dropped down some to guide it in, then put back up.

I'm looking for a reputable individual or shop, preferably someone with a good reputation here on these boards. I'm not interested in ARD - they've had my business before and won't have it again. Thanks for any help or comments guys.

Jon

 

Man I wish I could help you but those three things just seem daunting to me as well... I can place a couple phone calls for you and see what i can come up with to see who i can get to help you out with the hard stuff and the easy stuff should be just that... I think the only thing i could do for you was the tranny dip stick.. just put one in mine easy...

 

Well - Kevin89Formula let me know about gforce down in Pearland (quite the drive for me). I called and they're pretty hesitant to notch my k-member without trying to sell me a different oil pan first (or looking at it). I'm going to try and have them take a look at it tomorrow. We'll see...

 

I'll take all the help I can get. This is one of those LS1 swap 101 things that I'd hope several people in the Houston area had tackled with ease by now.

 

Sooo....what is wrong with the oil pan?

 

well what was the verdict??

 

The other two issues are no problem.

The K-member notch is another issue.

I've done one before for a guy, but the motor was not installed at the time. With the motor in place, that would be challenging.

OR, you can use the fabbed bracket and just use your thirdgen AC compressor hung in the factory location. Then you wouldn't have to notch the K-member.

 

Well, they seemed nice enough. But they told me right away they didn't work on cars this old. They could either A) do the whole swap for me or B) tune the car. I understood their reasoning - older cars like these end up being more trouble than they're worth for a shop that can afford to only work on brand new cars. They said they're even avoiding some 98,99 F-bodies.

However, they did point out that I do need to do something with the k-member. It's too close to the oil pan and I've got a brake line sitting between them. They recommended I look into tubular k-members and gave me the name of another place I've never heard of that might be able to help.

If only I'd sprung for the tubular k before the engine and tranny went in :-/

 

The notch is for clearance of the oil pan Mike. "Challenging" is just beginning to approach what I think of swapping a k-member with the engine still in. It seems pulling an engine is in my future if I can't find somebody up to the challenge. Heh.

 

Ya gotta love how easy this guy makes it all sound though: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...r-removal.html

 

Well if thats the case, then I would suggest just fabbing up some motor mount shims. It would be easiest solution if you dont want to pull the motor.

How much clearance are you looking for?

 

I read that searched post for removing the k member... I love the reference to the BFH.... I carry one of those in my tool box no matter where i go...

 

I'd like about an inch between the oil pan and the k-member and I'd like to reposition that brake line.