Ls swap

[Chevyluver57]

Looking to do a ls swap in my 1986 el Camino ss
Can anyone tell me everything I need to buy to install the 5.3 or 6.0 the engine itself will have all the pullies and is carborated and ready to go.
I plan on building the 200r4 that's already in my car to handle the extra horsepower.
Are there any clearance issues anywhere with the install.
Any advice/help at all is appreciated. Thanks

 

[Garrett1982]

It depends on what manifolds or headers you are using. Direct fits are more expensive but won't have issues, and camaro long tubes or S10 shorties will fit and are much cheaper, but might need some cutting or hammer work. You will also need a special flexplate or converter depending on your upgrade plans are. If you are beefing the trans up and want a new converter, get a custom one that will bolt directly to an Ls flexplate. If you're are keeping your existing converter alone you will need a different flexplate and a spacer.

 

[Chevyluver57]

From what I have read that s10 headers work great in g-body's with no modifications, my transmission is definitely getting rebuild and will probably be getting a stall converter. So what you're sayin is just get a ls style torte converter

 

[Chevyluver57]

What about pulley clearance. Seems to be a hit or miss on the water pump side and I can't get a definite answer

 

[Garrett1982]

From what I have read that s10 headers work great in g-body's with no modifications, my transmission is definitely getting rebuild and will probably be getting a stall converter. So what you're sayin is just get a ls style torte converter

All I have heard about is the S10 shorties being a good fit, but nothing about long tubes. The camaro headers are supposed to fit pretty good except the drivers side collector points towards the framerail.
With the converter, some companies do custom conveters that fit old style transmissions but bolt up to Ls flexplates. I will have to do that with mine since I have an older style 4L80e made to bolt up to a sbc/bbc. Someone else will have to answer about the accessories because I eliminated everything and I'm doing an electric water pump and a low mount alternator.
You will have to do a different pan also. I did the Lh8 pan from the hummer h3. It is cheap. The cts-v pan is supposed to be a better fit with more ground clearance, but more money. Then the aftermarket; Holley, Moroso,etc. would be the best but even more money.

 

[Chevyluver57]

do you have any recommendations for a stall converter that will bolt right up? Also, any recommendations on what brand of headers? Thanks for all the advice

 

[Garrett1982]

do you have any recommendations for a stall converter that will bolt right up? Also, any recommendations on what brand of headers? Thanks for all the advice

http://www.200raptor.com/

I would check them out. You will probably have to call around and talk to some experts to get what you need.
As far as headers I would need to know how much you are looking to spend. I am personally going with stainless camaro headers but I am also going to use an x pipe with bullets and turndowns meant for a camaro. The only way I think I can get away with that is the unique design of my crossmember. It should work in theory. Haha. If you don't mind spending the money I would probably go with Holley. They have motor mounts, crossmember, headers, oil pan, exhaust, and accessory brackets to do these swaps. Its all tested and perfected.

 

[84_SS]

Give PTC a call for your converter, they are priced pretty well and are quite helpful. Your engine mounts are going to play a very big roll in what accessories and headers you can run and will fit with out issue. Holley is really on the ls swap game right now and they make some really nice pieces.

 

[Hickrocket1258]

Just like others mentioned, headers you can do long tubes as long as 98-02 for camaros. I have Pacesetters brand new laying around I can't get rid of. You don't "need" a new pan. It should work. You are just giving yourself more ground clearance. I know at least for my 350 trans all you needed was a flexplate spacer to make it work if not on there already.

 

[Chevyluver57]

As far as motor mounts go would I have to get 1" offsets?
And if I do would that mess up the transmission alignment even with a ls torque converter?
As far as money goes, like every ls build, it's on a budget, turns out money is tight when you're 19 years old.