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As the title says. I am just curious if anyone has done it? I'm sure people have of course, but I just wanted to know what kind of headaches I should expect. I'm strongly considering doing this but I need to have my ducks in a row. I have a 455 engine now that I'd like to build but man those LS engines it's like the skies the limit..
Uh-huh. Some crazy guy even put one in a '70 W-30.
Personally, I don't know why you'd bother. It seems to defeat the purpose of driving an old car. If you want your vehicle to behave like an LS, you can just buy a 2005 Corvette.
Uh-huh. Some crazy guy even put one in a '70 W-30.
Personally, I don't know why you'd bother. It seems to defeat the purpose of driving an old car. If you want your vehicle to behave like an LS, you can just buy a 2005 Corvette.
Look I get it.. I think an LS actually ADDs value to the car believe it or not. I certainly wouldn't have mind if my cutlass came with one already in it. Parts are abundant, if something is wrong I can hook up a scan tool and diagnose. Reliability..I can go on and on but hey I just want to modernize.
Uh-huh. Some crazy guy even put one in a '70 W-30.
Personally, I don't know why you'd bother. It seems to defeat the purpose of driving an old car. If you want your vehicle to behave like an LS, you can just buy a 2005 Corvette.
As Eric said, there are a lot of 70 - 72 LS builds in the non-olds engine section. The simple facts that you will lose several hundred pounds over a SBO or BBO, be able to rev higher, and make power easier/ cheaper are reason enough to want the swap. Don't get me wrong, I like a nicely restored car with correct factory equipment and have a few of those as well. However, if building something a little more custom, the LS or even better LT engines are a great option. Mine is a 72 Vista Cruiser, but the swap would be identical to a 71 cutlass. LS1 4L60 and soon to get an 8 stack EFI.
As said, done to death, tons of info out there. I like the LT engines much better stock, they actually get out of their own way below 4000 rpm but they are harder to mod. The LS is one thing, factory SEFI, super strong block and big flowing heads. Boost and Tune would be great low end equalizer to a healthy BBO. Why people put the garbage 4L60E behind one is a real head scratcher. The 4L65-70E failed often behind the stock 5.3 in trucks. Go 4L80E especially behind a 6L or 6.2L LS.
The 4L80 is a good way to go. I gutted a 98 Z28 for the drivetrain so I kept the 4L60. If I was to do it again I would probably go with the 4L80 especially considering how heavy the Vista is. The 4L80 does have a slightly lower overdrive ratio (.75 compared to the .70 of the 4L60). I had to make a new tunnel due to the shape of the belhousing. Supposedly the 4L80 will fit in a factory tunnel with no modification according to other build threads on this site. Then again, a T56 will be a lot more fun than either the 60 or the 80.
I'm gathering parts now to swap an LQ4 into my '75 98. I plan to use a gen 3 6.0 that has been sitting around forever in my shop along with a mild (chevy) th400. Not sure what to do about the rear yet. Likely will use rewired truck harness and stock pcm from a Suburban, but I'm kicking around the idea of a Holley. VS Racing 7875 turbo, Holley hotside (with truck manifolds), and an ebay cold side. Follow my build thread as I muddle through what parts I end up using along the way.
There is such a wealth of information out there for swaps. At least you have a Cutlass, so it should be easy to find stuff like EFI-ready gas tanks, headers, etc. I am quickly finding out that no one cares about the big body cars lol.
There are so many resources for LS swaps out there. Dirty Dingo, EFI Connection, ICT Billet, Motion Raceworks, Sloppy Mechanics, LSX Innovations, and many more out there.
If you wanted a simple and nasty street combo, a heads/cam LS3 with a 6 speed manual would be a very easy 550hp. If you wanted budget, find a 5.3 or 6.0 on Facebook Marketplace and whatever trans that will support your goals. A 5.3 can make around 400whp pretty easily. Forced induction is easy and lots of different options are out there.
Good info I like it, thanks. I wish I've done this swap before or saw someone do it but I'm heading into the unknown which is nerve-racking and fun at the same time..I'm going to make it fun though 👍
Got my eyes on a 6.0 equipped with pcm ready to run. I just want to fit it.. I'll make it fast later 😁
When I did mine in 2010, there wasn't as much info or products out there, it's pretty easy now with lots of both out there I'm happy with the stock 5.3 in the Olds.Almost 30K miles on it now. Previously, I put a 6.0 in a 68 corvette with thoughts of head, cam, etc upgrades, but discovered 400hp was probably more than I needed. Unless you're going to the track, you'll be happy with a reliable stock motor.
Originally Posted by big man
Good info I like it, thanks. I wish I've done this swap before or saw someone do it but I'm heading into the unknown which is nerve-racking and fun at the same time..I'm going to make it fun though 👍
Got my eyes on a 6.0 equipped with pcm ready to run. I just want to fit it.. I'll make it fast later 😁
October 16th, 2022, 09:20 AM
