Transition Camaro

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by MX145

Ok phew! Man I thought I was bad..

BTW Greg your new place looks amazing. The attention to detail and material choices really make it interesting. Fits nicely with the backdrop. Today's the first I've seen the sun in a week. It's been nonstop rain out here. Bet you don't miss those days.

The builder is really humming along on the house -- just moved the move in dates up a full month!! They're cranking on the interior now and some of them have been working on the weekends.

I don't miss the rain one iota!!! When it does rain here - Gwen and I both look at each other and say "don't miss that!". The other night we were walking in the snow and ice to the car --- and I said --- I don't mind how cold it is - or the snow compared to that crappy rain all the time! She agreed. Amazing how it changes your outlook!

[MX145]

I hear you Greg. I also prefer snow over 40 deg rain. Last night when Brett Favre mentioned there's nothing like the weather at Lambeau I was thinking he's crazy.

[MX145]

Originally Posted by Tuske427

even without a turbo you'll be glad you swapped in an LS (drivability/ performance. etc)

I've been researching like a mad man. I'm less clear on direction now than ever. I thought I would be able to get away with a small turbo setup with low boost to have a predictable power torque curve but I'm not so sure of that now. As I spin around in circles with all the research and opinions out there I keep coming back to a NA EFI motor. There's nothing wrong with my vortec motor I just want to go EFI but the cost to do that opens the door to go LS. I think at this point I'm going to finish up the work I already started and give myself some time on the motor.

I also have to say.. After spending a lot of time browsing other forums I'm even more glad I chose lat g for my build thread. Definitely the best community I've come across.

[WSSix]

Well, to me, the biggest issue with fitting an LS engine is making the transmission fit since you have to cut the floor. Everything else needed can be made to fit the car rather easily. So what you could consider doing now if it would be a huge chore later is to cut the floor for the T56 and just run the T10 until you swap the drive train. Just a thought. Don't over think it too much. Be honest with your goals and desires for the car and realize that while nice, the LS motors aren't the be all end all for performance. It's not like you're running a flat head V8 now. Good luck!

[MX145]

I hear ya Trey. The current motor runs strong. I just put a Mag T56 in the car and had to cut the tunnel and make a crossmember. Something happened to the second gear synchro in the ST10 which is what prompted the new trans. Now that I have a big hole in the floor I'm contemplating how much to change to make it how I want now or later. I guess the only thing really holding me back from throwing the old motor back in for now is I don't know the QuickTime bell housing height difference between the two generations of engines. I don't want to modify the firewall and tunnel again. I'm hoping to leave the trans in the same spot and use adjustable for/aft LS mounts if/when that happens. The AC pump on a LS is a concern too as I have a modified stock subframe. Truth be told I could put EFI on this motor and probably be happy. I'm just reluctant to put another 3k into the old SBC platform. Cash and time seem to really drive these decisions lol. Otherwise I would have put an LS/T56 in from the start.

[WSSix]

Have you seen EFI Connection's kit for putting fuel injection on the 383? That might be cheaper. The other option that could save some cost is to go with the later speed density L98 system. I realize it's archaic but it works. I would lean towards the EFI Connection system though.

The only thing I forgot to mention before was your power goals. Depending on what they are, it might be almost necessary to go LS. It's not that the SBC can't make the power, it just starts to get cost prohibitive. If you're wanting more than 500hp NA off the engine, I think the answer is clearly LS.

Good luck!

[Tuske427]

How much power is your vortec making and where do you want to be?

If you're close to your power levels and you're happy with your engine, then I don't believe that it would be worth the expense to switch over. In addition to the engine itself, there is the AC like you said, as well as exhaust manifold/ headers, wiring upgrades and possible fuel (electric fuel pump/ return lines) that you'd need to consider in your budget. Also, depending on what you have now- things like electric fans for the cooling and intake pieces may need purchasing, too.

However, if you know that you want more power in the future maybe it's worth cutting this engine loose now and switching over to an LS (versus spending more $$ on fuel injection for your current engine and delaying the inevitable). I'd recommend a gen 4 engine (skip the LS1/ LS6) maybe an LS3??

Hope this helps

[Flash68]

Car looks great!

[MX145]

Regarding EFI Connection.. I've considered their parts before when looking at cam sync options. They look to be good quality. For electronics I can run an Accel Thruster for next to nothing but think it may be wiser in the long run to go with the Holley HP my dad is switching over to so we're on the same system.

Based on what I've read I'm guessing I'm around 400 hp/tq but don't know for sure as I haven't dyno'd the motor. This is just a loose assumption based on similar builds. I would like to be around 500 hp/tq and efi for low end throttle response and drivability.

Brendon, a lot of that is what I've been kicking around in my head. All the supporting parts add up for sure.

You guys make a lot of great points. I appreciate your insight.

[MX145]

Thanks Dave! Good to hear from you.