Question on LS/T56 swap

[Warpath Pontiac]

I've been trying to convince my dad for the past year or so to update his '71 Cutlass convertible and I think I finally got him motivated about bringing it up to a current style. I got him on the idea of a LS/T56 swap into the car. My question is what parts are needed for the swap and what needs to be modified for dropping that drivetrain into an A-body?


From what i've seen, it looks like there is a motor mount plate I can buy for the swap and even exhaust kits (headers to tips) meant for this. I know the transmission tunnel needs to be modified to fit and it sounds like the factory crossmember will work but it could require shims to get the right angle. But I cant seem to find a bunch of definite answers anywhere (I can find some build threads, but not a whole lot of detail going into the parts used or mods done to get the clearance for the motor and transmission).

[JayR]

It's been done here quite a few times now including our own A-Body. https://lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=27439

But nobody has quite put it into as much detail as Bart http://pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48361 You could seriously take his thread and make a book that would sell like hot-cakes.

The swap has been done so many times, you can mail order almost everything to do it short of a little minor fabrication. Regardless of what you're dropping the motor into, you can learn things from reading any LS swap thread and there is also a specific section on hybrids and conversions at LS1Tech.com that is extremely informative.

You seem to have the basics. One thing you left out is a new high pressure fuel system that I resolved with a factory reproduction tank from Spectra with a built-in electric pump documented in my build thread. The other is a good dual pass radiator with inlet and outlet on the same side.

[Warpath Pontiac]

Thanks, I gotta say both of those cars are sick, and Barts '64 thread is going to take some reading to go through everything, but it looks like a ton of good info

I was really just concerned with the cramming the motor and trans into the body of the car and what will have to be changed/fabricated due to fitment. We will probably be picking up a whole running camaro off craigslist (there seems to be quite a bit for a reasonable price) and try to reuse quite a bit of the parts.

[JayR]

Originally Posted by Warpath Pontiac

Thanks, I gotta say both of those cars are sick, and Barts '64 thread is going to take some reading to go through everything, but it looks like a ton of good info

I was really just concerned with the cramming the motor and trans into the body of the car and what will have to be changed/fabricated due to fitment. We will probably be picking up a whole running camaro off craigslist (there seems to be quite a bit for a reasonable price) and try to reuse quite a bit of the parts.

Sounds like a good plan with the Camaro and there should be all kinds of good stuff to reuse.

Don't lose any sleep over "cramming it in" though because your car is huge and the motors aren't and since your A-Body is a lot newer than mine and Bart's, you may be able to sneak the trans in without even modifying your tunnel.

[CreepinDeth]

Originally Posted by Warpath Pontiac

I've been trying to convince my dad for the past year or so to update his '71 Cutlass convertible and I think I finally got him motivated about bringing it up to a current style. I got him on the idea of a LS/T56 swap into the car.

That's AWESOME IMO.
I'm Aceshigh on the Classic Olds forum and the old purists over there would
have a canip**** if they knew another Olds was going to the LS side.

My 1970 Olds 442 clone is getting an LS swap summer 2011 hopefully.
I already bought the T-56 this spring which is waiting.

Post in here to rile the natives.
http://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/...ing-trend.html

Here's a few threads I'm aware of. The 66 GTO on Pro-Touring is VERY VERY in depth for the T56
http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sho...d.php?p=638856
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...onversion.html
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...d-you-use.html

[fleetus macmullitz]

Here's an LSx Cutlass that was built by a member here 'Jeff S'

http://www.schwartzperformance.com/p...x?projectid=15

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/fea...ass/index.html

[CreepinDeth]

Yep ^ coolest one I've ever seen.

That guys shop is RIGHT by me too, and I still keep forgetting to go check it out.
I'd really HATE to know how much that project bled his wallet.....because he did it full blown square 1 to badass.