This is topic My 96 GT LS swap build thread..ITS ALIVE!!! in forum General Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 
I know, I know, why didn't I just build a Ford engine? Because this is something I've wanted to do for awhile and finally have the time/funds to do it. Street ability is not really a factor in this build since I have a daily driver but, it will definetly be drivin to local meets/cars and coffee. Here we go..

Bought the car in the first week of January from a friend who recently did a P.I. swap with MMR ported heads, Comp cams, 4.10s, and longtubes. Fixed a couple little things that the car needed done and got it running the way I like it. Upgraded the cooling system with a aluminum radiator and helped it breathe better with a JLT C.A.I and a sct tuner.


How it looked when I got it (my old red sn95 in the back) 




Got some new wheels




First round of Mods was full TeamZmotorsports rear suspension with the relocated uppers, double adjustable lowers, Strange adjustable rear shocks, stock v8 springs with one coil cut (upgrading to the TeamZ drag spring soon), Torque Box reinforcements, and a NX plate kit.

  


 





 


This is where the fun begins...

Got the car back from the first round of mods, got it allligned, drove it around for a week or 2(never got to spray the 2v) then i decided it's now or never and parked the car to get ready for the tear down. Spent a day getting all the stuff out the way for the engine/ trans to come out. Finally got some help from a friend a couple weeks later, had the engine and trans almost out then found out the Longtubes were hitting on the kmember so we ended up dropping the k-member and the rest of the front suspension (since it's allgetting replaced anyways). During the time I was getting the engine ready I was also getting all the parts ready to assemble the front suspension.

TeamZ LSX swap k-member kit, 12/175 coil over springs, Strange adjustable struts, MM bumpsteer kit, flaming river quick ratio manual rack, new hubs with extended studs, got the spindles drilled for the bumpsteer kit and painted them.





Picked up a low mile 5.3 LM7(basically a slightly smaller LS1 but iron block) and began the Disassembly of everything. Plans for the engine are custom cam, ported 243 heads, ls6 intake, and atleast a 150 shot of nitrous with a th400 with a stall, trans brake, and RMVB. Currently the engine is down to a short block getting cleaned/ prepped for paint. While this is being done I'm also removing all the A/c and hydroboost stuff so I can clean the engine bay and start tucking the body harness.




 





more updates soon!

[ 2016-02-07, 10:16 AM: Message edited by: coupe5oh ]
 

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Posted by 19mystic96 (Member # 7553) on :
 
great build! looking forward to the progress. you're going to upset a lot of people here, but I'm sure you know that already.

PM me if you have any questions. Ive done one before.
 

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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by 19mystic96:
great build! looking forward to the progress. you're going to upset a lot of people here, but I'm sure you know that already.

PM me if you have any questions. Ive done one before.

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Thanks! You have a swapped mystic right? Lx James sent me a pic of your car when I first started..
 

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Posted by SIC9250 (Member # 8216) on :
 
Badass setup she should haul ass no doubt..6spd would make the car even sweeter
 

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Posted by 19mystic96 (Member # 7553) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by coupe5oh:

quote:

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Originally posted by 19mystic96:
great build! looking forward to the progress. you're going to upset a lot of people here, but I'm sure you know that already.

PM me if you have any questions. Ive done one before.

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Thanks! You have a swapped mystic right? Lx James sent me a pic of your car when I first started..

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quote:

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Originally posted by 19mystic96:

quote:

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Originally posted by coupe5oh:

quote:

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Originally posted by 19mystic96:
great build! looking forward to the progress. you're going to upset a lot of people here, but I'm sure you know that already.

PM me if you have any questions. Ive done one before.

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Thanks! You have a swapped mystic right? Lx James sent me a pic of your car when I first started..

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yea, thats me. lol

you'll love the end result!

what trans are you installing? any mods to the motor?

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It's up there in first post but I'm doing ported 243s, custom cam, ls6 intake, and a 150 shot..gonna use a th400 with a stall,trans brake, and RMVB
 

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Posted by 5.0 LsX (Member # 10017) on :
 

 

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Posted by 75 chevy (Member # 6717) on :
 
Nice! Great build.... May I ask.. why a 327? If I was going to do a 327. I would probably go the turbo route. Make sure the internals will rev to 9k-10k. Like an old school 327. What is your long term goal(s)?
 

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Posted by 92 LS Coupe (Member # 13890) on :
 
Nice setup what are you hoping to put out as far as HP & FT LB of torque? I have a 2015 GMC Sierra with a 5.3
 

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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by 92 LS Coupe:
Nice setup what are you hoping to put out as far as HP & FT LB of torque? I have a 2015 GMC Sierra with a 5.3

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quote:

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Originally posted by 75 chevy:
Nice! Great build.... May I ask.. why a 327? If I was going to do a 327. I would probably go the turbo route. Make sure the internals will rev to 9k-10k. Like an old school 327. What is your long term goal(s)?

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Went with the 5.3 cause the iron block will handle all the nitrous im gonna throw at it longer than a aluminum LS1 will.. it only makes 5-10 HP less than a stock LS1 but it weighs about 60# more. But, once I blow this up im gonna stroke a 6.0 LQ9 and throw a turbo on it.
 

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Posted by Blow_U_In_Reverse (Member # 12298) on :
 
Chuck Norris does NOT approve this swap!! Haha jk.. nice project bro.. cant wait to see the end result! Definitely gonna be something different..
 

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Posted by hurting your feelings (Member # 13641) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by 75 chevy:
Nice! Great build.... May I ask.. why a 327? If I was going to do a 327. I would probably go the turbo route. Make sure the internals will rev to 9k-10k. Like an old school 327. What is your long term goal(s)?

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quote:

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Originally posted by NvrGoFullRetard:
Not to be negative. But. Your 400hp on motor will not happen with the combo you said.maybe 330 especially going threw a turbo 400

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is this from personal experience or hear say. i personally know of a stock long block lm7 with cam lt's and intake that makes 380 rwhp through a 4500 stall turbo 400. so 400 is a possibility with ported heads. just my .02 cents

Daniel
 

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Posted by 92_5.0 (Member # 7624) on :
 
I'm looking forward to seeing this swap
 

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Posted by 92_5.0 (Member # 7624) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by hurting your feelings:

quote:

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Originally posted by 75 chevy:
Nice! Great build.... May I ask.. why a 327? If I was going to do a 327. I would probably go the turbo route. Make sure the internals will rev to 9k-10k. Like an old school 327. What is your long term goal(s)?

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Say wat?

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Isn't the 5.3 a 323 not a 327?
 

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Posted by NvrGoFullRetard (Member # 1633) on :
 
Its a 325cid. And they came with 295 fly wheel hp.so your talking 250 maybe to the wheels. Then you add stock ported heads, custom cam and longtubes and cai. Im gonna guess 330 to 350 rwhp and your going thru a turbo 400 instead of a 4l60e that will rob u less hp.
Im defiantly not being a hater. If you can do it let me in on the secret. Keep us updated
 

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Posted by Black 02 SS (Member # 5939) on :
 
He said 400hp, but not 400 wheel horse. Not sure if that's what he meant or not. I made roughly 320whp on a 5.3 with an off the shelf 224 cam, LS6 intake, stock 5.3 heads, and long tubes through a 4L60E. If he goes more aggressive on the cam with ported heads I'd assume 350-370whp is doable.
 

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Posted by KARATExxCHUCK (Member # 12851) on :
 
As long as it is not a honda build, I am excited to see how it turns out Pete. I'm still powdercoating, just to let you know.

Good luck with the build. Keep posting pics and progression.

Charles
 

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Posted by Duncan Motors (Member # 7045) on :
 
bout god dam time lol, good on you, heh im also in full effect for the mm stuff now
 

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Posted by POWERED BY FORD (Member # 9204) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by NvrGoFullRetard:
Its a 325cid. And they came with 295 fly wheel hp.so your talking 250 maybe to the wheels. Then you add stock ported heads, custom cam and longtubes and cai. Im gonna guess 330 to 350 rwhp and your going thru a turbo 400 instead of a 4l60e that will rob u less hp.
Im defiantly not being a hater. If you can do it let me in on the secret. Keep us updated

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quote:

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Originally posted by 19mystic96:
little off topic, but you wouldn't happen to be getting rid of the AC lines, would you?

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quote:

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Originally posted by BTLD GT:

quote:

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Originally posted by NvrGoFullRetard:
Not to be negative. But. Your 400hp on motor will not happen with the combo you said.maybe 330 especially going threw a turbo 400

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is this from personal experience or hear say. i personally know of a stock long block lm7 with cam lt's and intake that makes 380 rwhp through a 4500 stall turbo 400. so 400 is a possibility with ported heads. just my .02 cents

Daniel

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quote:

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Originally posted by 5.0 LsX:

quote:

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Originally posted by BTLD GT:

quote:

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Originally posted by NvrGoFullRetard:
Not to be negative. But. Your 400hp on motor will not happen with the combo you said.maybe 330 especially going threw a turbo 400

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is this from personal experience or hear say. i personally know of a stock long block lm7 with cam lt's and intake that makes 380 rwhp through a 4500 stall turbo 400. so 400 is a possibility with ported heads. just my .02 cents

Daniel

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hear say lol and it runs 9.8's

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WOW 9.8's i gotta see that.
 

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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 
FINALLY A UPDATE!!! 11/16/15

I have been gathering parts for the swap. Finally got the engine bay ready for the suspension and engine. Started to install suspension but ran out of light. Only need a drive shaft and this thing will be ready to go! The car should be up and running by the Street Actions toy drive on 12/12. Here is some pics of the progress. thanks to @dfg_Eli on IG for getting the new panels welded in for me!

















[ 2015-11-16, 11:20 PM: Message edited by: coupe5oh ]
 

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Posted by sofresh (Member # 12393) on :
 
Going with manual trans now ?
 

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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by sofresh:
Going with manual trans now ?

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yea I plan on driving the car a lot and for now itll be stick. driving to LA for knots and taking it to South Carolina for mustang week in july
 

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Posted by i (Member # 12534) on :
 
Nice job with the engine bay! Keep at it
 

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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by i:
Nice job with the engine bay! Keep at it

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quote:

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Originally posted by coupe5oh:

quote:

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Originally posted by sofresh:
Going with manual trans now ?

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yea I plan on driving the car a lot and for now itll be stick. driving to LA for knots and taking it to South Carolina for mustang week in july

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quote:

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Originally posted by sofresh:

quote:

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Originally posted by coupe5oh:

quote:

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Originally posted by sofresh:
Going with manual trans now ?

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yea I plan on driving the car a lot and for now itll be stick. driving to LA for knots and taking it to South Carolina for mustang week in july

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Yea I've seen mustang week on YouTube looks really fun. Going with 6 speed ?

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yea t56
 

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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 
Got the rest of the suspension and brakes in today and got the car on the ground. I was sent the wrong steering rack bushings so I couldn't put it on. Time to finish putting the engine together so I can drop it in.


 

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Posted by i (Member # 12534) on :
 
Get herrrrrr done!
 

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Posted by 70stang351w (Member # 9948) on :
 
Very nice work! just wondering wouldnt the hp be around the same with a built PI and Nos just curious i Dont know anything about chevys. i see the difference in the suspension for weight savings but motor for motor they seem they would be close to the same hp levels. Again not hatin just curious. cant wait to see the finished product
 

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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by 70stang351w:
Very nice work! just wondering wouldnt the hp be around the same with a built PI and Nos just curious i Dont know anything about chevys. i see the difference in the suspension for weight savings but motor for motor they seem they would be close to the same hp levels. Again not hatin just curious. cant wait to see the finished product

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quote:

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Originally posted by coyotefox:
I don't get a shout out for helping huh

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quote:

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Originally posted by 88DroptopGT:
Very nice engine bay work + K member swap..

Live that green. Forest green?

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Thanks.. yea its DFG the panels were put on by @DFG_Eli(His IG)and the body/paint was done by Brad^^^..
and coyoefox helped with some of the front suspension.

[ 2015-11-21, 04:32 PM: Message edited by: coupe5oh ]
 

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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 
Got the engine assembled (intake is placed on for the pic since I have a lift plate that bolts where the valley cover goes.) should be in on saturday or sunday.


 

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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 
Motor is in..

 

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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 
Motor is pretty much together. Got the car on the ground with the motor in it for the first time and I'm happy with the way it sits(fender isn't bolted on just put on to see how it looks). Car is going to my boys house tomorrow for him to do all the wiring. Should be up and running within the next 2 weeks.




 

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Posted by NvrGoFullRetard (Member # 1633) on :
 
What are you doing for exaust. Do they make a a exhaust swap kit for this kind of setup. Also is this gonna be a street car?
 

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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by NvrGoFullRetard:
What are you doing for exaust. Do they make a a exhaust swap kit for this kind of setup. Also is this gonna be a street car?

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Dynatech(AFCO) makes swap longtubes which I purchased. going to run a xpipe with dumped magnaflow magnapacks. and yes it's a street car. it will be at all the ride outs, Cars and coffee, and is getting driven to LA for knotts
 

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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 
So since I had to wait 5 hours for AAA to get a flatbed, I decided to go ahead and put the hood, fenders and bumpers on the car. Kinda wish the car wasn't on a hill so I can really see how the car will sit. First time out of the garage and in the sun in 8 months. The harness on the passenger side will be completely removed since there is no use for it any more. The car is now sitting at a friends house so he can do the wiring and I can finish up some of the little stuff that needs to be done.





[ 2016-01-24, 06:11 PM: Message edited by: coupe5oh ]
 

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Posted by i (Member # 12534) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by i:
Get herrrrrr done!

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Posted by NvrGoFullRetard (Member # 1633) on :
 
Are you gonna get it certified threw the state for the new swap or just go around it?
Im asking cuz i might end up doing a lsx swap into mine also.
 

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Posted by tooslowfiveo (Member # 11511) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by NvrGoFullRetard:
Are you gonna get it certified threw the state for the new swap or just go around it?
Im asking cuz i might end up doing a lsx swap into mine also.

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quote:

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Originally posted by tooslowfiveo:

quote:

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Originally posted by NvrGoFullRetard:
Are you gonna get it certified threw the state for the new swap or just go around it?
Im asking cuz i might end up doing a lsx swap into mine also.

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He said he was using longtubes, it will not be eligible for BAR certification.

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quote:

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Originally posted by NvrGoFullRetard:

quote:

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Originally posted by tooslowfiveo:

quote:

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Originally posted by NvrGoFullRetard:
Are you gonna get it certified threw the state for the new swap or just go around it?
Im asking cuz i might end up doing a lsx swap into mine also.

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He said he was using longtubes, it will not be eligible for BAR certification.

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No shit.he might have a hook up with that. It's not that hard that he could use the original exaust manifolds and what ever catted pipe to pass the b.a.r and then switch to lt's and what ever exaust he wants. Im asking the questio because im thinking of doing the swap and was wondering what it takes to be complient when you take it into the bar to have it certified

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quote:

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Originally posted by Black 02 SS:

quote:

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Originally posted by NvrGoFullRetard:

quote:

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Originally posted by tooslowfiveo:

quote:

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Originally posted by NvrGoFullRetard:
Are you gonna get it certified threw the state for the new swap or just go around it?
Im asking cuz i might end up doing a lsx swap into mine also.

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He said he was using longtubes, it will not be eligible for BAR certification.

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No shit.he might have a hook up with that. It's not that hard that he could use the original exaust manifolds and what ever catted pipe to pass the b.a.r and then switch to lt's and what ever exaust he wants. Im asking the questio because im thinking of doing the swap and was wondering what it takes to be complient when you take it into the bar to have it certified

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In general, you'd need the VIN for the donor car that you obtained the motor from. Say if you said you got it from a 4th gen F-body, you'd need to maintain all the factory smog equipment that it came with for that year vehicle. (Stock manifolds, stock cats in original location, EGR (98-00), AIR pump, EVAP canister, etc) plus have the OBD port in working condition to run the tests. You'd need the original air box or a CARB compliant intake for the donor vehicle, IIRC. I looked into swapping an E30 to make it CARB compliant and I didn't want to spend the budget to even try all of that. lol

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quote:

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Originally posted by tooslowfiveo:

quote:

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Originally posted by Black 02 SS:

quote:

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Originally posted by NvrGoFullRetard:

quote:

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Originally posted by tooslowfiveo:

quote:

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Originally posted by NvrGoFullRetard:
Are you gonna get it certified threw the state for the new swap or just go around it?
Im asking cuz i might end up doing a lsx swap into mine also.

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He said he was using longtubes, it will not be eligible for BAR certification.

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No shit.he might have a hook up with that. It's not that hard that he could use the original exaust manifolds and what ever catted pipe to pass the b.a.r and then switch to lt's and what ever exaust he wants. Im asking the questio because im thinking of doing the swap and was wondering what it takes to be complient when you take it into the bar to have it certified

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In general, you'd need the VIN for the donor car that you obtained the motor from. Say if you said you got it from a 4th gen F-body, you'd need to maintain all the factory smog equipment that it came with for that year vehicle. (Stock manifolds, stock cats in original location, EGR (98-00), AIR pump, EVAP canister, etc) plus have the OBD port in working condition to run the tests. You'd need the original air box or a CARB compliant intake for the donor vehicle, IIRC. I looked into swapping an E30 to make it CARB compliant and I didn't want to spend the budget to even try all of that. lol

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This. Also, he said he was swapping an LM7, which is a truck motor and classed differently than an LS1 and not BAR eligible for that reason. Swapping everything would not be viable from a cost standpoint or a work standpoint especially if he plans on longtubes and will have to hot smog anyways.

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Do you think they could discern between an LM7 and an LS1 if you have all the accessories/intake/manifolds off an F-Body ? It would have to be a knowledgeable ref to know the difference between iron block and the aluminum block.
 

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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 
Made a little more progress last weekend. Got the battery box and cut off switch all mounted and wired, also got the harness, fans, intake, brake booster, and clutch hydraulics in. Picked up my custom driveshaft yesterday. Going to work on it more tomorrow and hopefully start it for the first time!




 

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Posted by 65mustang408 (Member # 8681) on :
 
interesting placement of the reg/ filter. looks clean otherwise.
 

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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by 65mustang408:
interesting placement of the reg/ filter. looks clean otherwise.

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quote:

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Originally posted by i:

quote:

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Originally posted by i:
Get herrrrrr done!

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She almost ready!
 

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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 
First start up vid!!! No better feeling than hearing a engine you put together your self start up first try and stay running with no problems!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC-jBWmO2C4
 

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Posted by 70stang351w (Member # 9948) on :
 
Sounds Nice
 

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Posted by SlowFiveOh94 (Member # 2404) on :
 
Sounds stellar man! I'm going to have to look into that cam. I'm restoring a '68 Camaro and just picked up a 5.3L and 4L60E trans from a 2003 Silverado. Your exhaust/cam choice sounds exactly how I'm wanting my car to sound. What exhaust are you running in addition to the long tubes?
 

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Posted by D.R.E (Member # 10484) on :
 
Is that the 5.3 crank pulley or corvette pulley?
 

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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by SlowFiveOh94:
Sounds stellar man! I'm going to have to look into that cam. I'm restoring a '68 Camaro and just picked up a 5.3L and 4L60E trans from a 2003 Silverado. Your exhaust/cam choice sounds exactly how I'm wanting my car to sound. What exhaust are you running in addition to the long tubes?

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quote:

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Originally posted by D.R.E:
Is that the 5.3 crank pulley or corvette pulley?

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it's a ls1 F body C/P
 

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Posted by 19mystic96 (Member # 7553) on :
 
sounds great! glad to see you got it running!
 

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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 
Just need exhaust, and a alignment and ill be good to go!










 

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Posted by ed650 (Member # 9897) on :
 
That cluster is clean,where did you get the green lenses for the turn signals? I need some
 

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Posted by coupe5oh (Member # 10411) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by ed650:
That cluster is clean,where did you get the green lenses for the turn signals? I need some

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