LS1 Conversion, A Retrospective Build Thread Options

[andys]

Here's the start of a retrospective build thread of my LS1 conversion. It took a few years to get it done mostly due to not wanting to be a slave to the project, and work on it for the enjoyment; and of course when family obligations allowed......teen daughter and high maintenance wife (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

What I started with was a local orignal owner '75 2.0 with 139K miles. The original owner "drove the heck out of it" until something died in the electrical system and he parked it in the garage for 14 years, as evidenced by the renewal tags. Only body damage was when he submarined the rear of a Mustang and creased the hood and flattened the left signal light pod. Otherwise, it was a good condition rust free (SoCal) car.

Brief specs are: '01 LS1 Z28 motor, Audi 01E 6 speed tranaxle, 911 front suspension, custom made rear trailing arms, Koni shocks, 993 wheels, and AC.

Below, are photos of what I started with, and what I ended-up with. I'll do my best to re-trace the build process, so if you have any questions along the way, please ask.

BTW, how does one place text between photos in the same post?

Andys

[andys]

I decided quite quickly, that I wanted to go with a modern V8 motor with all the EFI controls, so I went with an all aluminum LS1. Before acquiring the motor, I went through the somewhat difficult process of selecting the kind of transaxle that would be rugged enough, reasonable in cost, decent gearing, all in a modern package. I really liked what the Audi 01E transaxle offered, but there were two problems. 1.) The FWD version was never available in the US, and 2.) no one made an adapter plate (at the time) to mate to a LS1. Being the engineering type with a background in managing prototype machining, I could make the adapter plate myself. So now I'm relegated to find said 01E. My search took me to Europe, and after a number of inquiries, I found a low mileage (12K kilometer) 01E from an '02 Passat TDI, which has the more desireable gearing of the 01E series. After a few phone calls and arranging a freight forwarder, it arrives at my door in exactly one week! Price? $1100 landed, though this was some years ago when the exchange rate was way more favorable than it is today. Needless to say, I got a killer deal that's likely to never be duplicated again.

Andys