jdperk-86elco

Hi guys,

I am new and here because I need a new motor in my 1986 Elcamino with the original 305V8 and 200C with 349,000 miles on it. I am thinking about dropping in a Corvette LS1 with the automatic transmission combo. Has anyone done this swap in this body style? If so can you guys give me some info on how to do the swap and how you overcome the problems like motor mounts, oil pan, computer, wiring harness, fuel tank, fuel lines, crossmember, ect..

Thanks,
James

John B

iTrader: (10)

E-mail sent to you James! Welcome aboard!

jdperk-86elco

Thanks for the reply,

When I am ready I will get intouch with you for an oil pan and motor mounts.

I have some more questions.

What is the difference from a Corvette LS1 and a F-Body Camaro LS1?

Did you choose an F-Body LS1 for the accessory placement?

Will the accessory placement on a Corvette LS1 work in my application?

When you did your swap did you only change to a Corvette fuel rail and throttle body?

Fuel pump in the tank was this required because you used the F-body LS1?

Are there any advantages from choosing a Corvette LS1 over a F-Body LS1?

I am going to start gathering parts and start planning this swap and of course saving some green to do it. I am hoping to make the move this Summer 2005.

Thanks John.

James

gen 3 bu

iTrader: (2)

i too have one in the works as a tt 347, m6

86MonteSSLS-1

Hi James, You'll love the smooth power of either engine. It's a lot of work but sooo worth it.

VinMan2

iTrader: (1)

You really need to check out John's webpages. Very detailed and you will find probably all your answers there. The only link you need is here. http://www.montecarloss.com/ls1montecarloss/index.html

Thanks to John my 85 regal is now going to be an m6.

jdperk-86elco

Thanks for the comments. I have already read and soaked up John's Monte LS1 and now have specific questions. I want to have the whole project in mind before I undertake the swap. I want to gather the parts and fully understand every detail to organize it and make it go smoothly.

John B

iTrader: (10)

Camshaft and front accessories
I did
Not sure
Fuel rail only, the TB is F-body
No, I wanted the pump to remain quiet and cooled by the gas
Not really

badjuju342

iTrader: (3)

The oil pans will be different on the 'Vette vs. F-body LS1, the Vette TB is electronic vs. cable on F-body , and running an external fuel pump can cause vapor lock.

MrDude_1

iTrader: (4)

there are several DIS advantages to using the corvette setup.

one. you need a trans. and you need to figure out the wiring if its a electronicly controled one.... a Fbody drivetrain wont have this problem

two, you need to swap throttlebodys, or figure out how to get a elec throttlebody to work.

three the accessory drive for the corvette wont clear most apps... the fbody one however, clears most of them.. diffrent for every swap, but the corvette is a unique shaped package that uses some spaces that most cars dont have.



the diff between the motors? the harness, programming on the ECM, possibly the MAF, and if its a LS6, the heads..... if you were to buy a later model Fbody setup, the only diff could be the heads/cam... everything else is LS6.
plus you get the rest of the trans and harness for the trans.....

jdperk-86elco

Thanks guys for the information.

So far I have figured out that I want a 2001 or newer LS1. Looking at the pictures on www.speartech.com of the front accessories it looks like the Corvette LS1 might be the better choice for accessory location. The alt on the Vette is up high and the A/C compressor is lower passenger side on both motors. John B's A/C compressor bracket looks like the solution to cutting the frame rail for clearance. Cutting the frame rail for A/C compressor clearance isn't a bad solution either to keep the A/C location and all its mounting hardware.

Any comments to my conclusions?

The Corvette LS1 came with the automatic transmission so I should be able to adapt its setup. Am I correct here?

SpearTech offers the drive by wire setup I could setup also.

What about Cruise control how is that accomplished with the LS1? Will my existing vacuum based system work on the F-body throttle body? Or can the cruise control be accomplished with the computer and speed input?

What about the automatic linkage can it work with my existing column shifter or will I have to place it on the floor? Of course that would give me an excuse to go to bucket seats.

Modifying the F-body oil pan for clearance how much oil capacity does it loose? Maybe cutting and boxing the crossmember is not a bad idea either.

Everyones information and opinion is very appreciated.

Thanks

86montecarloLSS1

Hey guys,

I am new to this. Great site. I am in the process of replacing the motor in my 86 monte carlo ss. The bigest problem I am having is the oil pan. I had to relocate the oil pickup tube to the back of the motor, to make room for notching. I did my homework to and tryed to buy thing in advance. Here is a list of things I bought:

02' corvette motor off ebay
4L60E tranny
reworked factory wiring harness by speartech
reprogrammed PCM by speartech
stock throttle body off ebay
f-body exaust manifolds off ebay
modified fuel rail from S&P
flex plate for 4L60E
Housing Adapter for manual speedo form S&P
16' electric fan from summit
motor mounting plates form S&P
solid motor mounts from summit
ls-1 throttle cable from summit
and a very well used copy of John B's website...lol

Hope this helps,
Dale

jdperk-86elco

Ok, I pretty sure I want the Corvette version of the LS1 or LS6 with a 4L60E transmission. I think I want 2001 or newer motor setup. Where can I look for the motor and what is the price range they are going for?

Should I look in the junk yards or is there a danger of getting a damaged motor due to the accident?

Thanks

James

Mark Paul LS1

86 el camino with LS1: www.BubbaDrift.com

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

Here are pics of an LS1 in a 1980 Malibu:

Tennessee Auto

iTrader: (11)

We are currently swapping a 1980 El Camino over to a 2000 LS1 A4. Check out the link 1980 El Camino



Will are using all the factory accessories. No need to build anything other than a alt relocation bracket. The oil pan is not cut. We took a small slice out of the factory boss on the back of the crossmember, and boxed it back in with 3/16' The goal is to make the swap look as the factory done it. The factory radiator, fans, and ac condensor core will be used from the ls1 car also. The only thing that will be aftermaket looking is our fuel line kit, and most of it hides in the frame rail.


The ac compressor clears no problem, along with the oil pan, and the factory manifolds, y-pipe are installed and clear just like they were made to be there.

The fuel tank we are using is a 1987 4.3 tbi, and also the pickup from the same year. We are upgrading the pump to a Walbro 255, and using 3/8" hard stainless line going to our fuel line kit. The makes the fuel system a breaze. No need for cuting the factory fuel rail and adding a fuel regulator.

The wiring harness is done by Dana at high performance wiring. Cost around $325 to do the full harness.

If you have any questions let me know. Thanks Scott

LS123

iTrader: (11)

Thanks to John B. I got mine done couple of years ago. I would have never attempted this without him. Car runs 12.96 with drag radials with Yank 2600 stall ONLY. It's a stock 99 LS1.


The Regal is for sale but I'm working on a 560FWHP AFR headed forged LS6.

5.3 racer

iTrader: (8)

my swap, lol. thanks john b. and others...

Scooter70

iTrader: (1)

"El Camino. That's Spanish for 'The Camino'. " -Michael Kelso

You can make an alternator bracket to mount it high on the driver's side.

StickSS

Nice Job to all of you who have done these swaps and thanks for posting up the pictures. I allways liked the older G body and A bodies. A couple questions to 5.3 racer if your out there. Is Your car auto or stick? What mounts and crossmember were used? What exhaust manifolds or headers did you use? Did you use the modified F Body pan or the truck pan? Were you able to use all the truck brackets and accessories? One day hopefully I will attempt something like this. Had to pass on an 85 442 with a blown motor recently due to lack of funds. LOL