LS1 (LM7) transplant into a gen 4 Elkie

avtech

I am going to install a 2002 5.3 Vortec SUV engine in my 1976 (A body) Gen 4 Elkie. I have the engine and ele. tranny and am in the process of taking off the accessories and clening it up.
I have read all the problems of installing this type (LS1) into every thing BUT a GEN 4! It looks as if it will fit without too much interference. Has anyone on here ever done this swap on a Gen 4, A body ?
What is the difference in the engine compartment from this generation to say the Gen 3 and 5 ?
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Regards
Jerry Russell

PS: I fly my TRIPACER
what do you fly ?

Poltergeist · Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:27 pm Post subject:

Jerry I'm about 99% sure that I saw where someone was putting an LS1 in a Chevelle of the same body style as yours on LS1tech.com but I can't find the post. You'll be pretty much in the same boat as others that have done an LS1 into older cars. A Gen I engine bay is pretty much the same across all cars as far what was needed for a carb'd motor to sit in there. One thing I don't know about is the oil pan from the 5.3s. I don't know if it can be modified to clear the crossmember or not. You might have to look at getting an LS1 pan modified or how much the crossmember would have to be modified to clear either of the pans. The 5.3 pan might even clear the CM if you can get the motor far enough back.

Keep us updated on your progress and take pictures!!! We like pictures. Laugh

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'82 El Camino with an LT1 from a 95 Impala SS

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G-Body · Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 9:48 pm Post subject:

Good news and bad news, the 5.3L truck pan is probably easier to make clear the crossmember than any other pan, since the sump on the truck pan begins further back than the sump on the f-body pan. The problem is the depth of the truck pan, in a 5th gen EC the pan will hang 2-3" below the crossmember. Wost case you should be able to get the motor in with an f-body pan and mabey some clearancing of the heater box, that was what it took to put my motor in, and I think the 5th gen has a slightly tighter engine bay. You may have problems with exhaust manifold clearance, but f-body manifolds should solve it if you do. The intake and alternator cleared my stock hood so it will probably clear your hood too.
I know this is a 5th gen thread but it has a lot of info that will probably be useful in most swaps IE: gauge sender placement, fuel line solutions etc.
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252644
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www.fquick.com/G-Body
1985 El Camino SS black and silver with a
2001 5.3L /4L60E
For Gen III / LS1 swap questions I am also G-Body on LS1tech.com I usually lurk in the conversions/hybrids section.

couladin127 · Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 3:20 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure if f-body oilpans and exhaust manifolds will work on that engine or not. The truck vortec 5.3 isn't an ls1..it's an ls3. I know some things are the same between the two engine..but I'm not completely sure what all is compatable.
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'85 Grey/Primer El Camino w/ Vortec 350
'99 Silver 3.8l Firebird w/ Flowmaster Exhaust

G-Body · Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 6:04 pm Post subject:

The engine he is going to use is RPO LM7 at least I think, unless it is an aluminum block then I think the correct RPO is L33. , The LM7 is same engine I put in my El Camino. All of the exhaust manifolds will interchange between the GEN III motors, I think the exhaust will even interchange between the LS2 and LS1 series. But I know for sure that the LS1 f-body manifolds will fit a LM7 because that is what I have on my car. The oil pans are the same way, You can interchange oil pans between the trucks, f-bodies, vettes (LS1, LS6 and LS2 equipped) , GTO, and midsize 5.3L equipped FWD cars as long as you use the pickup tube, windage tray, and dipstick that go with whatever oil pan you use. The oil pan off the LS7 is a dry sump pan and will not interchange with the rest of the LSx engine family.
_________________
www.fquick.com/G-Body
1985 El Camino SS black and silver with a
2001 5.3L /4L60E
For Gen III / LS1 swap questions I am also G-Body on LS1tech.com I usually lurk in the conversions/hybrids section.