So it begins. Rocket 350 / TH350 gone.
2011Olds350sold5.jpg

2008 GMC Sierra LY6 6.0L 39K going in with a T-56 6 speed double overdrive manual behind it.
The stock GM heads flow 320cfm and a simple cam upgrade with springs nets 500hp and daily driver manners.
Rear end was already upgraded to a 3.73 posi for the .50 final gear ratio to spin just 1500rpm @ 65mph.

Motor just arrived today, now I gotta tear it apart and scrup it down, and paint it.

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New LS3 Intake manifold with injectors, rail, and bolts bought from SLP performance.
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wow , thats incredible....that car is going to be scary fast....jealous of all the nice toys you have also

 

My 5.3 swap is fun to drive, that one is going to be great.
Btw, the reason I didnt upgrade the nearly 400hp 6.0 in my 68 corvette is that it will overdrive the OEM 7" wheels and tires. Plan on that upgrade soon.

 

I think you may be able to squeal the tires when you're done! LOL

 

Thanks Oldsguybry. Work hard to play hard.

I'm sure it is Gary. I will be in contact with ya throughout this build since you just finished yours.
You and I will have 2 LSX powered classics after this bad boy is done.

BTW I already upgraded my rims and tires 2 years ago to Foose Legend's
17x8" and 18x9.5" wrapped with Nitto 555R drag radials.

LT1swap is who I'm sending the ECM to , Not sure about the harness yet. Maybe Speartech again.
man this thing is TINY compared to the older PCM's from the LS1's.

One thing I'm still debating is if I want to do the idler pulley relocation to use the Gen IV throttle body
or if I want to buy a buddy of mine's LS2/7 Throttle body for $80 and just grind off the water neck edge.
Not sure how the different throttle body will play with the ECM.

 

I wanna do that to my S10 in the worst way (can't stand the 4.3), but it's a 4x4 and soooo not an easy swap.

 

What are you planning for heat/AC?

 

That sounda like a cool project. My wife's Silverado SS had a 6.0 in it and 4.11 gears. Was pretty quick for a heavy truck. I can only imagine that motor motivating a lighter car...

 

What are you doing for gauges? Does somebody sell a retro-fit for it?

 

I restored my gauges completely with all new paint, reflectors etc.
I'm probably going to sell them, and fork out for all new Autometer Phantom II's.
http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/show...42&postcount=8

I already have Autometer Cobalt's in my other pro-touring vehicle.
This is how they look at night. They're LED lit THROUGH the gauge, not around.

hangingout006.jpg
I'm going to have to decide between Vintage Air and Classic Auto Air.
I'm not quite sure yet, but that's Phase II for 2012 most likely.

2009 - Invested in new Foose Legends with Nitto 555R and restored the interior
2010 - Blew $2,000 on stereo equipment and restored the gauges
2011 - LY6 / T-56 drivetrain ....maybe new Autometers
2012 - Air Conditioning and Cam/Spring upgrades.

 

I will be keeping an eye on this one. I like it!

 

All degreased, wire wheeled, repainted graphite, and prepped.
Now I just gotta do the front accessories prep n paint and bolt them back on.

Then she goes in.

2011LY6painted.jpg

 

Ace,
Im starting to gather parts for my swap after my 350 just crapped on me.What engine mount setup are you going to use or custom make? and what headers?

 

Great stuff Aces!

 

Headers = Edelbrock #65073 Stainless long tube's.

Engine mounts I'm going to use what Gary's 68 used.

 

Aces, a couple things. For mounts, check my response over at PT. The T56 shifter may be too far back with the setback mounts.
Also, why do you want to use the LS2 TB. The truck TB on an LS3 intake will clear the L92 water pump with only a little clearancing. If you do want to use the LS2 TB check with Speartech, they make adapter harnesses.

 

Aces,
As far as engines,what made you go with the 6.0 instead of the 5.3 and what year or version of the 6.0 do you recomend best so that you change components of the engine as little as possible?

 

Thats gonna be fun when its done.

 

LOL.....well that blows, I just ordered them.

Fellow Camaro owner on Nastyz28 who did an LSX swap like I did has a spare brand new LS2/7 Throttle body he's selling me for $80. I know it's a 90mm, but I can't find out what size the Truck TB is.....I think 87mm. Could be wrong. Bigger = better philosophy I guess.

BTW I'm sending my Harness to John again for modification (Speartech)
I already emailed him to see if this would be an issue with VVT.

Brendan @ LT1swap is getting my computer though. He's half the cost of Speartech.
If I can find a reliable wiring mod guy cheaper then Speartech, I'd consider it.
The other source I think you sent me is ~$500 as well.

 

The L92 heads on the LY6 6.0L is why I chose the 6.0L
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...ads/index.html

These are the best production heads GM has produced.
They flow 320cfm out of the box without touching them.
For comparative sake, my 1970 Olds 350 #6 heads flowed only 180cfm at .600 lift.
That's why cam upgrades don't net you much HP gains in classic engines.
Head flow is the limiting factor....big time.

They're the same exact heads on the LS3 that makes 426hp.
The only difference is the Camaro's have lighter intake valves
Tinker around with Desktop Dyno and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Budget is the key factor here buddy. These LSX swaps are one of those things that can EASILY bleed your wallet if you don't know what you are getting from square one. I learned that one on my 1st swap. Luckily in an A-body not many of the accessories on the GM Vortec truck engines have a problem in the cars. F-body cars you have to change EVERYTHING.

The "Best" budget + performance 6.0L there IMO is the GM LY6 which only comes in 2007+ Heavy Duty 2500 series GM trucks. Why?? Because of the L92 heads on it. Cam & spring upgrade and I'm hitting 500hp that easily. Local LSX speed shop says they hit 490rwhp with theirs.

Some would argue that the LS2 6.0L in the GTO is better. But you're going to pay a fortune for one UNLESS it has ALOT of miles on it. Like this one. Why?? Because it already has the car accessories on it. That's really about it......an $800 accessory package.

 

Coming along nicely. Looking forward to seeing it back together.

 

looks like you got your work cut out for you. But we sure do enjoy your old motor with our set up. We cant get the tires to hook up good yet so more adjustments are needed. Having a lot of fun with the kid though and thats what it's all about. And when you where talkin about heads we will probably get the eddelbrock ones next year after the car is painted and other priority's are done 1st

 

Did you ever consider going ls Carburated on this swap?
And what would be better to go with a newer 5.3l or still an older 6.0l if there are no 2007's and newer available?

 

HAH!!! That's awesome!!!
Damn dude, you don't mess around. That was fast.

Motor looks good all degreased and painted up.
Sucks you couldn't use the headers. Bead blast them, and high temp
paint them and throw a for sale ad up and I'm sure they will sell.

Did it fire right up for ya ?
I'm glad I didn't have to remove the distributor so it would be easy for you.

Me personally, It's a NEW motor for you, so drive the crap out of it for awhile.
Then next year or the year after do the heads after you want more.
It's alot stronger then your old 307 was.

Well once I get my plethora of work done, I'll have to hit you up for a cruise night.
I'd like to see the car. Glad to hear you and your boy are getting it done together.
Very cool.

Here's the deal.
5.3L Vortec's ~$1,000
6.0L Vortec LY6 ~$1800-$2500

So choose whatever fits your budget and your end goals best. Both motors
are great, and both can be upgraded. You can just get more out of the 6.0L.
There's nothing wrong with the 5.3L and it's the budget LSX upgrade for many.

Gary's getting FAR BETTER drivability I'm sure out of his 5.3L in his 1972 442.
Easy starts, great MPG, and over 300+ hp. Cam and springs and he's over 400hp
easily with great street manners.

As for the carb'd question.....
If you already have a fuel injected motor.....for me, it makes no sense
to spend the $700 to go back to a carb'd setup on it. Spend the ~$1000
to keep the fuel injection, modify the computer, harness, and swap the intake

I've seen ALOT of guys start to spend the $$$ on the Carb intake, carb, etc
then they find out the controllers cost a chunk and go back to the fuel injected setup.

 

yes it started right up couldn't believe it. never had a swap go that easy. Don't get me wrong we had some minor issues but thats expected. Thursday night at around 11pm fired it up open headers and all. And there is no comparison to that 307, not even close. June 17th is the next test & tune at route 66 and where gonna be there. Going to a cruise night this Wednesday in Braidwood. Let me know when your car is rolling again and we will pick a cruise night tomeet at.

 

So did ya giggle like a school boy a little bit when you romped on it yet ??

Looks good. I see you did get the pass side wire loom.
I just sent you a PM asking you if I gave it to you. Couldn't remember.

Let me know how you do at the track.
I'm sure that motor really woke up the '87.

I would advise to NOT put slicks on with the 200-4R behind it though.
It would be a chance situation, if those wheels locked up good.
What torque converter did you use ??

Also, did you use the motor mounts that were attached to it still ??
I forgot to take those off.....needed em. If you used em though, no biggie.

 

The reason why I ask is because yes the carb kit cost $700,but if you look at it,you dont have to deal with the harness,programing,computer and tuning.Everything looks cleaner and you might make alittle more power if not at least the same.Plus no tank and fuel sending unit work.Plus you get to keep it carb like it was.

To me anyone who goes EFI has my respect because of the work involved,but the carb setup looks cleaner.

 

They just covered that swap on Horsepower a few weeks ago.

 

yes I did use the motor mounts, and no not planning on slicks . I giggled like a school boy when I slammed it into 2nd at around 5500 rpm and she broke a little loose and spun the tires again and it started to get sideways. I think I freaked out the kid a little on that one. LOL

 

If going carb'd is the route you want to go, then go for it.
Your MPG will not be anywhere near as good.

Obviously you've seen Shcwartz Performance's 71 Cutlass LSX 455 project
since it's in your signature. These guys are local to me.
http://www.schwartzperformance.com/p...x?projectid=15

Damn you really revved it up there. LOL
I don't think I ever revved it that high. 5,000 rpm was my limit because I was worried
about the oiling issues. Then I found out that it was just the 455's that had that. LOL

I'm kinda remorseful that I didn't at least run it at the track a few times to get a baseline E.T.
Then I could see what my improvement was......sucks but oh well.

If you still have your stock '87 tires, it will beat the snot out of those.
After I put the bigger rims and drag radials on, it was harder to break em loose.
But the stock 14x7 rims and tires it beat the crap out of.

I'm happy that you're happy.

 

That is beautiful...

 

Thank you Aces for the great 'play-by-play' and keep it coming. This is one of those threads that I look foward to reading and check everyday to see what's been added. Good on ya brother! I know we all look foward to the finished product. How about throwing in a couple of pics of the Z that's done?

 

Mind you I'm not the pioneer who originated this idea.
I'm sourcing info from many avenues to get it done as well like others have done.

I am done with all my accessories refurbishing.
Now I'm just waiting on my harness and ECM mods, and the motor mounts.
Then I can begin installing it.

No problem. Normally I wouldn't post my Chevy on an Olds site but since
it is MY thread, and you asked, I will honor the request.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...oCarstheme.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...JuneCamaro.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...S1Radiator.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...wInterior6.jpg

On a side note, after I'm done this is something I've been wanting to add on for flavor.....a Heineken baby keg overflow tank.
Member in New Zealand did this, and I'm going to put one in my Olds after this is done. It's green so.....

 

thats cute aces.make it functional LOL

 

I totally forgot this existed because I'm not on this site much. http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...2-gm-body.html

For those looking to do any modern updates to your cars, go on LS1tech.com
They have a buttload of LSX installs in A-body's with modifications assistance
in various areas like steering , fuel, etc.

 

Just sold my 350 combo and i'm having a hard time with deciding on a 455 or 408 stroker Lq9 or Ly6. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. Vendors could please the purist maybe if they designed rod & crank strokes specific to Olds & Buick. Let us know what Vendors are helpful with the conversion and parts that make it easier!

 

Talk to the guys that have experienced both in an A-body.
I think 99.9% of them will tell you to go LSX.

Those that haven't, will tell you to go 455.
Just my opinion and what I've read from numerous threads on A-body swaps.

 

Hey, while you have the engine out and front end in pieces.......
Just about everyone has interference between the inner tie rods ends and the oil pan. It's worse with the grease fittings that stick inward.
If you put a 1/4 fine thread allen plug in the grease fitting holes, then drill and tap the back or bottom of the end for new grease fittings, you'll eliminate a lot of that issue.

 

Aces,
That bare block with the heads and intake looks so cool. Interested in seeing the engine with all the stuff on the front/top of it. I think almost ALL V8s look so cool but they loose some of their 'muscle' image when they get all the stuff on them. I like to see the block, heads, headers, etc. The newer engines with EFI seem to suffer the most with all the stuff on the upper intake.

 

simply revolutionary