nice swap man... I have a '73 im trying to restore...idk where to even start lol...i think im going to need a painless wiring system gut the insides and just get it to run for now.
@AUS10M, That's a great place the start, I replaced all of my factory wiring with a "Summit" universal wiring kit. It is quite a bit cheaper than the Painless but does not have very good instructions included. The wire is high quality and it used the mini blade fuses.
Many many kits and parts are available now. Check with Street & Performance in Mena, AR.... They make about everything needed for about any conversion. Get a motor out of a Camaro or Firebird and you can get the motor and 6 speed together.
@ChevyJohnathan, the motor is rated at 325hp in stock form in the camaro ss it was removed from... I have it in a car with a much less restricitve K&N intake, headers, and very free flowing side pipes with no cats... Plus a little tuning on the engine computer I have no doubt is near the 385 mark. It sure feels great driving. Compared to my C5 it feels faster but it is also a lot more "rough" so it is hard to gauge... Will have to drag race the wife some time and post another video.....
Josh - outstanding work! You have tons of room under your hood compared to mine!! :) When I redo the dash (after I get some roadtime in), I may replace everything with digital gauges. Keep up the good work!!
Yes, there are more and more kits coming available to help us out. I purchased an engine mount kit from Vetteworks, a relay and fuse kit from PCM America, and some brackets and accessories from Street & Performance. S&P has most/all of the parts needed.
The gauges are a complete kit from Nordskog, they have them for many muscle cars, older chevys, fords, etc. I got mine from the now-defunct SMM Performance Parts website... I had no trouble with my order whatsoever.
Awesome job!! Why didn't you go with the DBW setup? Was that the way you got your engine?? Keep up the great work - check out my 944/LS1 conversion vids when you get a chance
My LS1 is from a Camaro SS, so it had the cable style throttle body with it already. All I needed was a simple cable to hook it all up, so I kept that setup. With all the extras under my dash I'm not sure I would have room for the pedal assembly... Plus I don't plan on using cruise control or anything. Like your car too, hard to believe that motor fits under the hood!
have you got the car on the street yet? ive been thinkin bout doing an ls swap in my 74 also. just split on the transmission its curetly an auto bout i like a stick. how much has this project costed you?
quick question - how much time and money did the engine swap cost
Also, do you think a 17 yr old could install a new engine, clutch, transmission, etc. (basically ONLY the things that keep the car moving) to the same car??
Do it!!! Pay special attention to your front engine accessories and belt drives, the water pump heater outlets, motor mounts, exhaust, and of course the wiring. Modifying a factory harness is not very difficult and can be made to look very nice.
I did not have to modify the f body oil pan, however it came very close to touching the power steering ram when the wheel was turned all the way. I have since replaced the power steering system and it is no longer an issue. When you look into motor mount brackets, I think placing the motor 1" further back would give more clearance.
Do you have any more updated progress videos you could post? I'm thinking about building a 6 liter iron block with L92 heads for an '82 vette, but going to go carbed with E85 fuel. Need motorvation...
I think keeping the LS1 in this was a good idea, or putting it in, rather. The old engine might have been to much trouble, and parts might have been harder to come by. Nice car.
I am very happy with the decision, I turn the key and it starts right up... No carb tuning, no choke, no cold weather problems... And opening the hood for a stranger and the look when they see the LS1 is just priceless.
I am using the 4L60E from a 2002 Camaro SS, it came mounted to the motor when I bought it. Had to fabricate a transmission mount onto the removable crossmember in the car to move it rearward a few inches.
Thanks, enjoy the 74. If you ever need a new engine, consider the LS1 swap unless you are looking to keep it original. I've learned a lot about the car and now feel it is a lot more reliable. Plus, the gas mileage will be a lot better.
Well, I would hardly say the project is done but it is indeed on the road now!!! I drove it out of the driveway for the first time Aug 20. I plan to make a new video this coming weekend. Thanks!!!
I used engine mount adpater plates that convert the LS1 bolt pattern to the old small block motor mounts. Several vendors carry them online, and there are blueprints online to make your own.
Thanks, actually I used a Summit brand 18-circuit universal wiring harness for the car and modified the factory harness for the computer, engine, and trans controls.
nice swap man... I have a '73 im trying to restore...idk where to even start lol...i think im going to need a painless wiring system gut the insides and just get it to run for now.
AUS10M 1 year ago
@AUS10M, That's a great place the start, I replaced all of my factory wiring with a "Summit" universal wiring kit. It is quite a bit cheaper than the Painless but does not have very good instructions included. The wire is high quality and it used the mini blade fuses.
jraddington 1 year ago
Many many kits and parts are available now. Check with Street & Performance in Mena, AR.... They make about everything needed for about any conversion. Get a motor out of a Camaro or Firebird and you can get the motor and 6 speed together.
jraddington 1 year ago
very nice how much horsepower
ChevyJohnathan 1 year ago
@ChevyJohnathan, the motor is rated at 325hp in stock form in the camaro ss it was removed from... I have it in a car with a much less restricitve K&N intake, headers, and very free flowing side pipes with no cats... Plus a little tuning on the engine computer I have no doubt is near the 385 mark. It sure feels great driving. Compared to my C5 it feels faster but it is also a lot more "rough" so it is hard to gauge... Will have to drag race the wife some time and post another video.....
jraddington 1 year ago
@jraddington awesome!! can't wait to see that video
Kaspergaling 1 year ago
Josh - outstanding work! You have tons of room under your hood compared to mine!! :) When I redo the dash (after I get some roadtime in), I may replace everything with digital gauges. Keep up the good work!!
nsaneon 2 years ago
Yes, there are more and more kits coming available to help us out. I purchased an engine mount kit from Vetteworks, a relay and fuse kit from PCM America, and some brackets and accessories from Street & Performance. S&P has most/all of the parts needed.
jraddington 2 years ago
Sounds like a beast!
debrajl529 2 years ago
Where did you get the gauges?
blueGTOdude 3 years ago
The gauges are a complete kit from Nordskog, they have them for many muscle cars, older chevys, fords, etc. I got mine from the now-defunct SMM Performance Parts website... I had no trouble with my order whatsoever.
jraddington 2 years ago
Awesome job!! Why didn't you go with the DBW setup? Was that the way you got your engine?? Keep up the great work - check out my 944/LS1 conversion vids when you get a chance
nsaneon 3 years ago
My LS1 is from a Camaro SS, so it had the cable style throttle body with it already. All I needed was a simple cable to hook it all up, so I kept that setup. With all the extras under my dash I'm not sure I would have room for the pedal assembly... Plus I don't plan on using cruise control or anything. Like your car too, hard to believe that motor fits under the hood!
jraddington 2 years ago
have you got the car on the street yet? ive been thinkin bout doing an ls swap in my 74 also. just split on the transmission its curetly an auto bout i like a stick. how much has this project costed you?
amonke4u 3 years ago
nice work,
quick question - how much time and money did the engine swap cost
Also, do you think a 17 yr old could install a new engine, clutch, transmission, etc. (basically ONLY the things that keep the car moving) to the same car??
ribtits 3 years ago
oh wow i have been lookin for an ls1 cs video. i got a 1978 vette that i want to do the ls1 swap. got any tips for me?
cyclonejunior 3 years ago
oh wow! ive been lookin for an ls1 c3 vid. i got a 1978 vette i want to swap an ls1 in. can u give me any tips to make it a little less painfull?
cyclonejunior 3 years ago
Do it!!! Pay special attention to your front engine accessories and belt drives, the water pump heater outlets, motor mounts, exhaust, and of course the wiring. Modifying a factory harness is not very difficult and can be made to look very nice.
jraddington 1 year ago
Also, did you have to modify the F body oil pan at all?
SSbnoonSS 3 years ago
I did not have to modify the f body oil pan, however it came very close to touching the power steering ram when the wheel was turned all the way. I have since replaced the power steering system and it is no longer an issue. When you look into motor mount brackets, I think placing the motor 1" further back would give more clearance.
jraddington 1 year ago
Do you have any more updated progress videos you could post? I'm thinking about building a 6 liter iron block with L92 heads for an '82 vette, but going to go carbed with E85 fuel. Need motorvation...
SSbnoonSS 3 years ago
Do it!!!! I've never regretted this project.
jraddington 1 year ago
I think keeping the LS1 in this was a good idea, or putting it in, rather. The old engine might have been to much trouble, and parts might have been harder to come by. Nice car.
WeekendWarrior1210 3 years ago
I am very happy with the decision, I turn the key and it starts right up... No carb tuning, no choke, no cold weather problems... And opening the hood for a stranger and the look when they see the LS1 is just priceless.
jraddington 1 year ago
What transmission are you using and did you need anything special to mate them?
ompenarnie 3 years ago
I am using the 4L60E from a 2002 Camaro SS, it came mounted to the motor when I bought it. Had to fabricate a transmission mount onto the removable crossmember in the car to move it rearward a few inches.
jraddington 3 years ago
awesome work man, i'm 18 and just bought a 74 also and totally understand the works these things take...keep up the good work
joemamajoker1011 3 years ago
Thanks, enjoy the 74. If you ever need a new engine, consider the LS1 swap unless you are looking to keep it original. I've learned a lot about the car and now feel it is a lot more reliable. Plus, the gas mileage will be a lot better.
jraddington 3 years ago
Is the project done would love to see a video of the finished product!
TheRebuttle 2 years ago
Well, I would hardly say the project is done but it is indeed on the road now!!! I drove it out of the driveway for the first time Aug 20. I plan to make a new video this coming weekend. Thanks!!!
jraddington 2 years ago
where's that new video? we're jonezen!
rand12345 2 years ago
I have a new HD video camera and I hope the car will be the first video I make with it!!! Watch out in the next couple of weeks!!!!
jraddington 1 year ago
Nice car....but....where's the promised video of her on the road?? :(
mydejavooo1 2 years ago
hi there,did you need any special adapter to mount the engine and transmission?thanks
chumina69 3 years ago
I used engine mount adpater plates that convert the LS1 bolt pattern to the old small block motor mounts. Several vendors carry them online, and there are blueprints online to make your own.
jraddington 3 years ago
great setup,did you used a painless wiring?
chumina69 4 years ago
Thanks, actually I used a Summit brand 18-circuit universal wiring harness for the car and modified the factory harness for the computer, engine, and trans controls.
jraddington 4 years ago
I like it. Nice work
84400 4 years ago