1980 Grand Prix LS swap

[Winkernod]

Okay so here we go 1980 Grand Prix with a very leaky engine and trans. I considered several options and I am one to keep original when feasible.

When the oil is causing a smoke show as you roll down the highway!!

 

[Winkernod]

I decided to do a LS swap I did begin this before Christmas 2018 but have been procrastinating putting it all together and getting a thread going. I do have lots of pics as I have moved along. over the next few days I will try to make a story line that everyone will enjoy with as much information of the build.

 

[Winkernod]

I guess a good place to start is the car 1980 Grand Prix SJ 4.9L very solid body

 

[Winkernod]

As I work at an auto recycler I do have a bit of an advantage for doing this swap. I was able to drive the donor truck for the engine and over see the removal of the "package".

The Engine as I brought it home

 

[L92 OLDS]

Nice!!! That Grand Prix likely has a solid body because of all the oil leakage down below.... I'd guess the floor pans are really solid. Keep us posted.

 

[Winkernod]

Nice!!! That Grand Prix likely has a solid body because of all the oil leakage down below.... I'd guess the floor pans are really solid. Keep us posted.

Anubis I'm sure that helped but the PO had it oiled every year he drove it daily and then it has sat a lot the past number of years (dried up seals).

I did look around at my options for the swap and talked to my local performance parts dealer and decided that for ease of install I would go with the Holley package. (I will give a list of all the parts later).

The engine after a little cleanup and the pan installed

 

[Texas82GP]

I guess a good place to start is the car 1980 Grand Prix SJ 4.9L very solid body View attachment 107694View attachment 107695

Beautiful car!

 

[Winkernod]

With all of the reading here on the forums and on LT1swap.com I attacked the wiring harness. Regretfully I didn't get any pictures, but I will tell you it took me around 6 hours total over a week to dissect, pull pins and wires, and retape. there also was a youtube video from Project Rowdy that helped a lot. Then it was ready for mounts. Once I did the mounts I went looking and found a steering box and steering shaft out of a 1993 Grand Cherokee It bolted right in only had to free up the slide on the steering shaft and also change the pitman arm.

 

[Turbolq4]

862 heads, I'm guessing it's a 99-03 5.3?

 

[TURNA]

Good looking clean car!!