Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

I stand corrected.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

You have shared that link with me. It has given me a lot to think about. Size wise, it looks like the Holley kits are the way to go. Seems like they have the lowest profile out of those options.

I just didn't want to have to shell out any more money. But, I guess that would happen if I bought the wrong kit/setup, then had to change it out for another one due to it not fitting, or hanging down too low.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

Is removing the front end an option? Otherwise I'd say plan on pulling multiple times for clearances. There are some patterns forming here that you should avoid. The truck pan will work, avoid buying parts ahead of time and you're going to spend more money than you wanted. That's just what it is. Set it in as is then identify what you'd like to adjust. GET IT IN AND GET IT RUNNING. This is a really simple swap for these trucks, don't go making it difficult.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

curious, what do u mean by the truck pan will work? as far as clearance?

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

Yup, after you corrected me on the CTS-V pan I looked at the measurements more than just depth, and the stock truck pan is shorter front to back in the sump area, which should allow it to work in most cases, it's just deep so it hangs low.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

ah, back to front clearance. was hoping it would work with the hanging low clearance lol. being hopeful myself. does it also matter with the different swap mounts you use? or thats only for front and back clearance?

to the op, ive even read around on some people sectioning their stock pan for clearance. now, im not sure how much oil capacity is lost, and what else is involved...but it sounds like definitely a possibility.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

Found this one while reading through some threads...

https://www.speed-engineering.com/ls...2-ls3-ls6.html

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

I used the stock pan that was already on my Fbody engine and some simple 34 dollar motor mounts and it seems to fit almost perfect.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

muscle car pan kit from ebay?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/284031805242

that one u posted seems like it would work. 6" total height, believe the truck pan is 8"?

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

I have not personally used this pan, or know anyone who has, but it is basically a knock off of the Holley 302-1 pan that Holley came out with years ago.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

Spend the extra bucks and buy the Holley pan. Made in the USA.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

I saw that kit and was thinking about it. But then found a link to this other one. I like the dimensions a little better - smaller profile, which I feel better about since my truck is lowered.

That's what I was thinking. It's pretty close to the Holley dimensions, which I like the thought of.

On a side note - how long have you lived in KC area? I hid out in the basement of the Independence mall once during a tornado warning. I lived in KC for a few months around 2005 or so. I have an uncle that lives up there, in Lee's Summit. He does a lot of car shows/stuff around there, I believe. He has my great-grandfather's '66 Apache and a green T-Bucket that is Buick powered.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

Yeah, no they're not! They are made in China, at least the one I had said it was. I was kind of bummed out about that. Its not something Holley specifically mentions, I wonder why?? LOL

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

I've lived here my whole life. Can't say I recall seeing a Buick powered T bucket though.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

I believe over on ls1 tech truck doug mentioned a felabay knock off pan he picked up cheap recently with similar dimensions to the holley pan and was pleased with fit and finish.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

EagleChief,

Read thru the whole post. Sounds like you did some great research and have gotten a bunch of great ideas and help.

One question, would you be willing to tell me where you got the engine/trans from? I'm not to far from Tulsa and am looking for a place to pick up one.

Thanks.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

Sure thing - I got it from Lambert's Auto Salvage in Collinsville, OK - just north of Owasso/Tulsa. Seemed like pretty nice guys to deal with - although, it's only the 2nd time I've been in a salvage yard. I met one of the guys in a drive-thru picking up breakfast one morning. I was in my wife's '73 Ford, and he was driving a clean square body C10 with their logo on the door. His name is Austin and is the 4th generation of family working there.

I've been through Jennings a few times over the years. Mostly on my way to Stillwater when I was in school, and I didn't want to pay the tolls. :D

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

Guess I should give a small update... I went ahead and mounted the driver side adapter plate and mount, just to make sure they would work - they do. I think I did that right before Christmas. But, since then, it's been a crazy, non-stop whirlwind of a time. Did all the Christmas stuff starting Christmas Eve, and it lasted for 4 days - seeing all the family.

Then, on the 29th, we had our baby girl at 8:30 in the morning! Spent a few days in the hospital, came home, and now we're trying to get as much sleep as possible, when we can. I'm typing this now, as I'm getting her to fall back to sleep so I can go to bed. ;)

So, things may slow down for a little while. I'm at home this week, but then it'll be back to work and then trying to relieve my wife of all the motherly duties in the evenings. So, you guys will have to bear with me and hopefully I can still knock some stuff out every once in a while.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

I went ahead and ordered this oil pan kit. It had some good reviews on eBay, although there weren't very many total reviews. But, they had good reviews on their headers, especially on a thread here in the forum. So, I'll try it out and when I get time to install it, I'll get some pictures and report back.

I did go ahead and pull the a/c compressor and bracket off. It'll be quite a while before I try and tackle the a/c on this truck. It's not a huge concern for me, although would be a nice luxury. I got the adapter plates mounted to the block, and the engine mounts mounted on the plates.

I also went ahead and pulled the exhaust manifolds off. Only 4 broken bolts that I can tell. 3 of them were already broke below the surface, 1 broke off on me at the head as I started to take it out, with hardly any pressure. So, I'll work on getting them out next.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

AGH! I had some broken bolts in my 317 heads and was able to extract them. I hate extractors and gadgets that only break off on the hole you drilled and make it even harder to get them out. I drilled a small hole in them very carefully making it very straight. I pounded a hex wrench into the hole. I did my best to heat the surrounding area of the head and the bolts came right out. Pounding the hex key in does two things. It "shocks" the threads and provides a means of attachment to the bolt. I used a very high quality hex key so it would not break. It was the first time I tried this method and the first time I did not have to pay a machinist. Go to post 21 here https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=808928

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

If you are using a slider type mount you can slide the engine forward enough to make the compressor fit. It wasn't that much. If your going to use a factory compressor put the bracket on now. It's difficult to get to one of the bolts without jacking up the engine. If your going with a Vintage Air type unit don't put the bracket on now. I have an F-Body pan. I don't know with the pan you are using if this is an option.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

My adapter plates are not the slide type, but there are 4 different mounting locations. They are ICT adapter plates: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I mocked up the compressor bracket with the mounts in place. Marked the area that will have to get cut/trimmed out in order to fit the a/c in the stock position. I might trim it out to see if it'll work. But, I'm not too worried about having the a/c hooked up. There's a lot of other stuff that has to be done in order for it to work. Mounting it is the least of my worries about that.

The pan in the kit I ordered is pretty much a copy of the Holley low profile pans that are offered. The dimensions are almost an exact copy.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

sure that pan will work nice. i may have missed it, but are you drilling the temp sender out for the c10 ones?

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

I haven't made it that far in the process. I know I've read about doing that, but I'm not really sure what I'm going to do, yet. I know it can be drilled for a sender unit, but I have also read about an adapter that will work. I'd just have to find the thread again to see if the long term results were good.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

there also was someone here in the forum taking the stock ones and machining the threads to fit the LS. not sure if he makes them anymore

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

As far as I've ever seen, there isn't an exact match for any other sender for a factory 67-72 temp gauge. There are some that are close, but generally only in a specific range. Depends on how important an accurate gauge is to you.

As for the machining down factory senders, that can only be done on newer trucks that originally had a much smaller sender to start with. If you try and do it with a 67-72 sender, you will hit the guts of it before you have it machined down far enough.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

yup your right, i did a search and he machined them down to 3/8. my mistake

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

Got my Speed Engineering oil pan kit today! Actually, it showed up on Monday to my office, but I was home sick. So, there's that. Anyway. Unboxing it, it looks good to me - no more than what I know about this stuff. Now, just find some time to get it on the motor, then I can drop it in the truck. Right?

I have gone through and removed the wiring harness. I just need to figure out whether I want to attempt to strip it down myself, or buy a harness that's ready to go. The majority of my internal debate, says to buy one ready to go. I really don't have the time to pull apart a harness, especially for a first time. The other part, says to save the money and do it - although it will take me all year to do it.

I pulled the exhaust manifolds off - still have to pull the sheared bolts out. Then need to find replacement manifolds or headers.

What else do I need to do before I drop it in the truck?

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

I not a electrical wizard so I buy a pre-made harness. I purchase the harness and computer from one supplier. They will mod the computer as needed. I like Howell and Speartech. Used both a number of times.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

I'm not an electrical wizard either. That's one reason I'm leaning toward buying a pre-made harness. I just can't fathom the thought of spending $600-$1000 (depending on set-up) on a wiring harness. I see some advertised for anywhere around $250-$300 on FB and Ebay all the time. Anything wrong with those?

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

From what I have seen there cheap for a reason cheaper connections wire guages may be smaller no heat shrink on solder joints just cheap tape

The original harness was much better made many of the ones that cost twice as much are proubly much better made i can't say how much better made as the only aftermarket harnesses i have bought are M&h factory reproduction ones which are very well made

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FAf1anIjxgo

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

Exhaust manifold question....

Will stock manifolds from a 2000 Z28 fit up and work? My engine is a 2003 LS. I found a set for sale for $45. If they will work, thought about grabbing them to use.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

Yes. I have a set I was going to run as they fit well, but preferred the smaller collector of the ls3 version. Just verify that they are indeed f body manifolds

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

Being as this is your first swap and you're not familiar with the modern components of the engine, I'd say buy a new harness or have yours reworked. When you go to fire it up and have to troubleshoot the wiring, sensors and voltages should you have trouble, the money saved is not worth it. I went with BP automotive for my first swap and am having my second harness reworked. My third will use the whole harness and fuse box as is from the donor.

Don't go with the Chinese harnesses as they can get you by but you are not there yet to troubleshoot or repair them should you need to. You're already half the cost of a quality harness.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

I'm going to talk to a couple shops local to me that specialize in LS tuning and wiring. I'll get some prices from them to see if they have harnesses already made up, or, use mine to cut down and use.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

Probably already mentioned, but stock harness rework is simple. Just flow LT1swap instructions (with pictures!!) Your basically just removing the stuff you don’t need. To me the biggest benefit was a better appreciation of what each circuit does. They’re not pretty, but they’re cheap. What have you got to lose?

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

I have looked through the walk-thru over at LT1swap. Looks like a big bunch of spaghetti! Fear of cutting the wrong wires, or messing something up is the problem holding me back, I think. But, my biggest obstacle is time. Going through the wiring seems like it would take several hours to go through. My time in the garage, currently, is probably 20-30 minutes at a time - IF I'm lucky.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

Another question I have...

Engine placement. Is that a trial and error thing? I have ICT adapter plates and stock '71 motor mounts. The adapter plates have 4 mounting points to position the motor forward/back. Is there a way I can get some measurements on the truck to give me an idea of where to put the mounts? Or, will I just have to drop the motor in, try it out, and then adjust the mounts as needed?

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

I have the same ICT plates with the four holes. I wanted room behind the engine and we originally put it in the forward holes. There was a lot of space behind the engine and not much between the water pump and the radiator fans. We ended up going to the second set of holes from the back moving the engine back about 1 3/4”. The body is not back on yet So I am not sure how much clearance is left behind the Engine.

So I guess to answer your question it is trial and error. If you go to the I CT website it says what each set of holes does. I believe the first hole is .1” forward the second hole is .6” I am not sure but the third set of holes it’s like 1.7” or 1.8”. Off the top of my head I can’t remember what the forward set of holes measurement is but it’s easy to find on their website.

Re: Doing LS Swap - I have no idea what I'm doing!
 

Then don't do it. Send that work out and focus on something else to keep the project moving. Anything that can be completed in the time you have is still progress.


They should have given you or have some kind of info on what mounting holes will place the engine relative to the factory positioning. This is why I went with slider plates rather than those plate types with the static positions. I just dropped mine in with the transmission and adjusted from there. 30 minutes should be enough time to choose a position, drop it in and see where it sits. Adjust on your next chance.