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]

While not exactly in the correct sequence of the build, I will probably group things so as to keep some sense to the project. While waiting for one thing, I would switch over to say the flare installation or chassis stiffening in between, but anyone that's done this kind of thing before, knows what I'm talking about.

Let's proceed to the accessoy drive on the front of the motor. The water pump pulley and the crank pulley are in alignment, but the AC part of the crank pulley is now about 1" closer to the block than the LS1 AC compressor pulley, so I had to fab a plate that moves it back,,,,,but not so fast. The compressor now interfers with the header (stock cast iron LS6 header), so I remake the plate to also moving the compressor down by 3/4"....but now the compressor interfers with the cool looking Vette aluminum motor mounts I got from Ebay. After some thought, I decide to fab my own motor mounts. Ok, back to the accessory drive. The alternator (in it's stock position) needs to move closer to the block as well, so I found it easier to fab my own alternator mount; done deal. Now, the serpentine drive needs to be configured. What I came up with was to mount the tensioner high and somewhat centered, which coincidentally turns out to be the same solution that Factory Five uses on their GTM cars (their bracket is steel, mine is aluminum). I measured the necessary belt length with a string, then searched the Goodyear site and found what I needed.

Not as many photos as I'd like to display, but that's all I have. The zinc plated part is the alternator front mount (there's also a rear mount).

[worn]

Amazing. Inspiring. I wanna drive it!