LQ4 in '86 Grand Prix

[kad5118]

thats cool i have a ls1 im doing for my 1980 monte carlo

 

[bobcat]

Hah! Bet you guys gave up on me!

After busting my *ss on it for the last few weeks, the car is running and on the road....and goes like hell! I WILL need a diff soon, and better tires. With the 2.73 peg leg it broke the (1) 14" tire loose today as the cam came on in first gear, about 3500 rpm. Still needs tuning, too!

I am blown away with the LS motor. They are all you hear about, and more. I will post some pics in the next couple of days.

 

[79loserbluebu]

Are you happy with the Megasquirt and MSD controller? Were they user friendly or were some modifications necessary to the two? Any possible way the AC heater box could of stayed in the car without mods to the box? Sorry for the questions, I'm kind of wanting to do a 5.3 swap just to set it apart from the other G-bodies here at the cruise nights.

 

[bobcat]

Are you happy with the Megasquirt and MSD controller? Yes. Were they user friendly or were some modifications necessary to the two? MSD = Plug n'play, Megasquirt takes some work. Any possible way the AC heater box could of stayed in the car without mods to the box? It has been done, with the rear coil relocated. Sorry for the questions, I'm kind of wanting to do a 5.3 swap just to set it apart from the other G-bodies here at the cruise nights.

Good luck with your swap, you'll love it!

 

[Keystone Mark]

I am in the middle of a 5.3 swap in an 80 Malibu. I am using a 2007 5.3 LMG and a 4L60E converted from 4X4 to 2wd.

I used the Transdapt adapter plates that set the engine back 1" with stock clamshells and frame pads. The pads bolt into the stock SBC frame holes and the PS pulley clears the big steering box and still lets me retain the AC heater box. it is a very tight fit to the AC and I had to trim the coil bracket and coil bracket stand on the passenger side valve cover. I am using the H3 Hummer pan which has plenty of clearance but sticks about 1.5" below the engine cradle. I am building a "skid plate/bump that will bolt to the bottom of the cradle to protect the pan.

I am using the Kwik Perf AC bracket an a Sanden compressor for the AC. If you use a condenser that has outlets on the pass side the lines make a very nice package

I used the Jeg's g-body double hump crossmember and had to weld a couple of pieces of steel to the front of the frame mounts and re-drill the holes to move the crossmember back about 1.25".

F body manifolds fit great.

I can't stress the importance of getting everything with the engine. I bought a 10 mile transit damaged takeout from a new vehicle. I got all the accessories, computers, wiring, trans, converter, transmission lines even work with some minor bending and a couple adapters to the radiator

This swap is not as difficult as some make it out to be...

Mark

 

[79loserbluebu]

I really didn't need to read the previous two posts :lol:

Is it true that stock truck manifolds outflow some aftermarket headers, or at least the ones that "fit" our cars?

 

[bobcat]

Hey guys, an update (finally!) on the car..... After tuning and cruising for the summer, I went out to the year-end street legal meet last weekend. With a crappy 2.18 60' time due to the 2.73 gear, the car ran 13.6 @ 106mph 3 times in a row. BTW, it hit the traps in second gear, never had a chance to shift into third gear at all! With a 3.73 posi and 3k stall converter going in this winter, 12s should be in my near future.

Sorry about the lack of pics, I'll try to get some up soon. I've been dealing with domestic issues lately........

 

[uneek1976]

Pics Pretty please.

 

[85GPLef41]

YES PICS PLEEEASE!. I am trying to save up some moolah to start this swap sometime early next year.... 8)

 

[bobcat]

Took these tonight at a regular cruise night, the light's bad but the evening was great...

Steering box clearance...