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 wanted to avoid having a motor shipped, so I started searching for local yards that may have a LS1 with reasonably low mileage. What I found, was a salvage yard that specializes only in late model Camaro's/Firebird's, but motors go fast so I had to stay on top of them with frequent phone calls. They get two cars in, so I run down there right away. There's a '02 Firebird with 30 some K miles, and had the late and more desirable LS6 heads, but I found a mount for a nitrous bottle in the truck, so I passed. The other car was a "01 Z28 with 49K miles. Looked well kept and was hit in the rear. Started immediately, so I closed the deal. I had to come back the next day so they could pull the motor. Turned out that when I got there, they hadn't even started, so I waited another 1 1/2 hrs before they were ready to load it into my truck. Motor came complete with all the systems (harness, PCM, manifolds, cats, flex plate, starter, even the Camaro air intake box).


Andys