'78 Grand Prix LSx swap + build thread + roof carnage

[motorholmes]

FYI These Pontiac frame side mounts won't work with any LS swap mounts. Need Chevy frame stands. I'll probably make my own. I forgot I need to have the rear end in place when I set the motor mounts so I can measure pinion angle. Oops! The axle is out of the car undergoing 3.42 Posi surgery

Have Energy bushings and KYB Gas-a-just shocks en route to my front door.
Just got my 7.425 pushrods today. The 7.400 Comps that I have are a bit too short for my new cam

 

[1983regal]

FYI These Pontiac frame side mounts won't work with any LS swap mounts. Need Chevy frame stands. I'll probably make my own. I forgot I need to have the rear end in place when I set the motor mounts so I can measure pinion angle. Oops! The axle is out of the car undergoing 3.42 Posi surgery

Have Energy bushings and KYB Gas-a-just shocks en route to my front door.
Just got my 7.425 pushrods today. The 7.400 Comps that I have are a bit too short for my new cam

What LS swap mounts are you using? Those frame mounts should be the same, do you have the flat plates that the block mounts bolt to? there are two different block mounts, one should be short and wide the other is tall and narrow between the mounting ears. I believe your stock mounts need to be moved forward also, one corner should be hanging off the frame.

 

[motorholmes]

I'm using the 1" set back mounts. You know what I noticed.. The LS engine mount holes in the block are directly above the K-frame. If someone would make a complete mount setup it wouldn't have to go forward at all. I should fab some up and sell them on Ebay.

I know which mounts you're talking about. My buddy has a 66 El Camino (no engine at the moment) and his frame stands are narrow and reach forward. I think Trans-dapt might have had these in mind when they designed these mount kits. Either way, I'd rather not search high and low for these when I can just weld some up and place them exactly where I want. That way I won't have to (potentially) alter my trans crossmember either

 

[motorholmes]

Ohh you know it's gonna be nasty!

 

[motorholmes]

Got the frame painted up to the firewall. Rear end now has a 3.42 posi, and fresh paint. Painted the control arms and put in Energy bushings(what a pain!). KYB gas-a-just shocks. The springs are a used set of Eibach 1" lowering springs I got off craigslist

Just figured out my transmission crossmember doesn't exactly fit. I think it's a G-force (?) It looks like the Summit version. It's just maybe 1/2" too narrow to reach the bolt holes on the frame.

 

[motorholmes]

More un-impressive photos! I'm amazed at how the 33 year old ball joints were still like new. It's a shame to throw them out. I'd like to re-iterate what a pain in the butt these suspension bushings are! I need an air chisel for sure.

Getting ready for the tedious task of dis-assembling the engine compartment and getting it all painted up.

 

[motorholmes]

FYI, the Energy bushings metal pieces were slightly larger than stock (.020-.040") and they ALL required a certain amount of grinding to get them to press in to place without getting distorted. Otherwise, they seem like a great quality set and they are nice and smooth, and super tight. I'm pretty excited about that.

 

[tdvick]

I have to say that I know too well what you're saying about those bushings being tough to get out. I didn't remember it being nearly so tough on the '70 GTOs that I had done years ago. Anyway, I ended up breaking down and buying UMI arms. A lot more money, but I helped justify it by not having to buy the bushing kit...

 

[motorholmes]

Believe me, I started to consider that when I was in the middle of the second one

 

[motorholmes]

More boring stuff.. Cleaning and painting

Found these frame stands on Craigslist. We'll see if they fit with the Trands-dapt setup