thinking about a Turbo LS1 swap...let me hear what you guys think

[Kidcamaro98]

alright well last year i had my new motor installed and shortly after, i blew a rear main seal and havent had it fixed yet. The shop that installed my motor along with my turbo kit is very close to some members in my family so they hooked me up with a One year warrenty on the motor with the turbo so they are gonna fix the rear main seal for free....now, my transmission is shot because of the turbo i have now and its only on 10psi...

What i have been thinking is...if I was gonna go forward with my original setup i have now with a New performabuilt tranny and 3600 Torque converter and Transgo shift kit (plus installation), thats gonna be about the same amount of money i can pick up a used 50K LS1 and auto Tranny package off ebay. (about 3 grand). My uncle however, is very very good with cars (he has done full motor swaps in only hours) and he has a huge heated garage. Well anyways, he wants to do the swap with me. Now if i did install the LS1 I would sell my 3.8 but keep the turbo kit and throw that on the LS1...

How hard honestly would it be to do a complete LS1 swap?? Motor,tranny,motormounts,Wiring harness,PCM,and new speedo...anything else did i leave out thats involved in a swap??

Note: I dont have any AC (everything i took out) of a EGR valve so thats less to uninstall for the swap and less to hook up...gives me more room also.

[WishIHad$$$]

Re: thinking about a Turbo LS1 swap...let me hear what you guys think

You're not thinking your V6 kit is honestly going to bolt up to an LS1 are you?

[00 Silver 6]

Re: thinking about a Turbo LS1 swap...let me hear what you guys think

oh dear god... my dream engine, a turbo'd el es juan...

DO IT!!! kinda expensive though

[Kidcamaro98]

Re: thinking about a Turbo LS1 swap...let me hear what you guys think

im obv. not stupid...but you honestly dont think that everything on the turbo kit WILL bolt up to it besides the hot parts right???

The only thing i would need to purchase would be forward flowing headers and make a down pipe...thats it

The intercooler piping is going to be the same or pretty damn close. I can keep the intercooler in the front bumper for the swap, I have another wastegate here and the BOV stays on the intercooler piping.

[Camarorulz]

Re: thinking about a Turbo LS1 swap...let me hear what you guys think

go for it. I would.

[Shodown]

Re: thinking about a Turbo LS1 swap...let me hear what you guys think

The intercooler piping is going to be the same or pretty damn close. I can keep the intercooler in the front bumper for the swap, I have another wastegate here and the BOV stays on the intercooler piping.

I dunno man, the LS1 is pretty crammed in there, not as much room between the motor and the radiator for a turbo. I say that cuz thats where your turbo is mounted, thus your intercooler piping wont work. I could be wrong, but I'd check into it if I were you.

[Kidcamaro98]

Re: thinking about a Turbo LS1 swap...let me hear what you guys think

ooo i take it you havent seen my whole new setup?? I no longer have anything that consists of the FFF kit...I re-did all my hot piping myself, and also the intercooler piping...i will send you a link to my Fquick

www.fquick.com/kidcamaro98

Not to mention, my radiator is moved up 3" from stock form and i dont have a A/C condenser anymore either.

[Shodown]

Re: thinking about a Turbo LS1 swap...let me hear what you guys think

I still dont think it will fit. I'd measure it to make sure. Most turbo LS1's I've seen, the turbo is off to the side of the engine bay where the a/c is. I know your a/c is removed, but your piping still might need fabbed up.

I like your new setup though :tup:

[Camaro Dom]

Re: thinking about a Turbo LS1 swap...let me hear what you guys think

well, its a big... no, HUGE project. You'll likely need a new radiator too to handle all the cooling, swapping out the PCM and wiring crap will probably make you wanna die.

Dont kid yourself, its a huge project, and there will be alot of extra costs besides just the powertrain you're looking at that will factor in, but if you're game for it, definately let us know how it goes. Even better, if you DO go the LS1 route, post up some step-by-step stuff. I dont think theres anyone on this board who's done that so it'd be a great addition to the site if you'd be willing to be generous.

[Kidcamaro98]

Re: thinking about a Turbo LS1 swap...let me hear what you guys think

I still dont think it will fit. I'd measure it to make sure. Most turbo LS1's I've seen, the turbo is off to the side of the engine bay where the a/c is. I know your a/c is removed, but your piping still might need fabbed up.

I like your new setup though :tup:

well i know for a fact the hotside piping will not fit...thats why i would get forward flowing headers that are made for the LS1...mount the turbo off of that and go from there. The intercooler piping will fit, or will be pretty damn close and if it doesnt i have the extra piping here to make it work :)

[HokieBird]

Re: thinking about a Turbo LS1 swap...let me hear what you guys think

Do you have the money to handle the next set of problems? You are swaping in a new motor and tranny and have no clue if they same thing could happen again. What size turbo are you running? Is the air flow map going to match up well with the ls-1?

Just some things to think about. If your uncle is willing to help out and you have the funds I say go for it.

[Kidcamaro98]

Re: thinking about a Turbo LS1 swap...let me hear what you guys think

funds are not really in the question. I just want to set a limit, and not go over it. I dont want to dump too much money into it, then get tired of it next year and want to do somethign different....I have a Master Power T70 which has been proven to be a decent turbo for the LS1 (Ask Tiago) back when he just had a single one...once he built the motor he made it twin turbo....

I wouldnt be looking for much boost anyways. 9-10psi which can easily be do able.

[Question]

Re: thinking about a Turbo LS1 swap...let me hear what you guys think

Am I going crazy, or did I just see this same thread on LS1Tech? I say keep that boosted 3.8 man. Although, LS1's are secksy.

[Kidcamaro98]

Re: thinking about a Turbo LS1 swap...let me hear what you guys think

same thread on ls1tech...looking for a point of view also from ls1 owners themselves...cant get any better info. then that.

[BobDoLe]

Re: thinking about a Turbo LS1 swap...let me hear what you guys think

seeing all the problems that DIYers get into, if i were to go with forced induction for my SS, i'd make sure i have a well designed kit and trailer it to a reputable performance shop to have it dynotuned.

i'd probably go with a procharger.. if i was going to go turbo, i'd go front mounted for a single turbo or a STS rear mounted twin turbo setup.

going from a v6 to a forced induction LS1 is going to cost you some serious cash though. better line up a few credit cards if you're serious.