LS swap made easy

Discussion in 'High Tech for Old Iron' started by BillA, Nov 19, 2017.

  1. ilikebmx999

    ilikebmx999 Well-Known Member

    Subjective. Also I don’t see an Ls engine.
     
  2. Bygblok

    Bygblok Well-Known Member

    Not yet. Conventional sbc(383) that I overbuilt badly so it will probably last quite a while. Just did a huge suspension upgrade on it so the jury is out on how much I gained from it. Sure is tight now though!
     
  3. pbulski

    pbulski Well-Known Member

    Wanted to share my LS swap project update for anyone who is not too angry to watch. While the internet and GM "Connect and Cruise" package make parts ordering and fitment pretty easy, to "simply" swap out the stock 350 with TH350 and replace with a new LS3 and Tremec 6-speed requires replacing just about every damn part from the radiator to the gas tank, including the bench seat and gauges. SHEESH!!! $$$
    Having fun so far though:) Lifting the body wasn't hard now that I know what the hell I'm doing. Here are a few of the destruction pics.

    NEXT UP: Boxing in frame... or... I just saw HPI Custom's 68-72 A-body kit with frame box in plates, K-members, Rear Xmember and adjustable Trans Xmember. (bottom picture from their website) and I really like it! I'm going to send back my box in kit and purchase that frame kit. It's a much cheaper alternative to an aftermarket chassis and should stiffen up that frame nicely. Would love to hear if anyone has used one before and get their thoughts.

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    HPI Frame Kit.jpg
     
    ceas350, Ryans-GSX, 1972Mach1 and 3 others like this.
  4. 1973gs

    1973gs Well-Known Member

    Be careful. Having that car supported on jack stands on top of cinder blocks with 4x4's doesn't look too safe. Cinder blocks are designed to have the load distributed evenly with another cinder block, not 4 angle iron legs of a jack stand.Or is that wood? At least connect those 4x4's together to prevent them from rolling off of the stands!
     
  5. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    Now just put a Chevelle body on it, paint it red or black, black interior, some SS stripes and you’ll ve done! I think Dynacorn has the body and every catalog in the world has all the other parts.
    I know it’s your car, but in my opinion it’s not a GS anymore. Not a Buick either.
    Patrick
     
    Donuts & Peelouts likes this.
  6. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    What do you guys call an absolute beater P.O.S. Ford Ranger with a twin turbo LS? :D........We had it at 600 hp naturally aspirated and it was a handful, going to be considerably more with the new hair dryers and still look like a stock 4x4 Ranger......I would never want to see an LS in something rare like a GS, GSX, or whatever, but I think the swap into things Bill's and pbulski's cars are just fine. But it is a personal thing, for sure.....Oh, and some Camaros are alright, too. I happen to like my buddy's that I helped build :) Different strokes, it'd be a pretty boring life if we all did the same things.

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    DasRottweiler and BUQUICK like this.
  7. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    I like the ls engine-works great in my Tahoe and the ‘05 GTO I had. I don’t mind them in old Chevies either, it’s just (1) becoming a bellybutton engine in a lot of builds of all brands and (2) we’re V8Buick. This forum and the GSCA are oriented toward just that-making really good power with Buick’s engines, both with factory parts and aftermarket stuff that takes the engineering to further. (Not ripping it out and replacing it with another division’s work). Kinda like learning whittling and woodcarving instead of buying a walking stick at Walmart.
    Patrick
     
  8. pbulski

    pbulski Well-Known Member

    A little follow up on my story for all my die-hard Buick friends. I sold all the parts that I just pulled to a great guy named Bob in St. Paul, MN (on this forum?). He has a fully restored, BEAUTIFUL '71 GSX that someone many many many years ago pulled the original 350 out of and swapped in a built 455. Now all these years later, through the magic of the internet and an amazing guy in Pennsylvania (also on this forum?) who stored the original numbers-matching block, heads and trans for all those year waiting to reunite it all with the car's new owner some day, he is now taking his GSX back to full factory numbers-matching, date correct condition. That guy in Pennsylvania deserves the ultimate "Pay it Forward" award in my mind! BRAVO! Bob and I identified that our cars were both built in Flint just a few weeks apart in spring '71. All my original, now hard to find, correct part number and date-coded parts will live on in another Buick GS. Win-Win for everybody! And that makes me really happy! :)
     
    ceas350, docgsx, 1972Mach1 and 2 others like this.
  9. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    Yes, both are on this forum, Big and Nasty GS is Pat in PA and does deserve a giant kudos ! I met Bob at this year's MCACN's in Chicago back in November. Great guy too!
     
    1972Mach1 likes this.
  10. bignastyGS

    bignastyGS Maggot pilot

    He's not that big of a deal...:confused:
     
  11. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    Uhh, yea it is Pat. Pat also GAVE me photo's of my GSX in it's pre-showcar status and wouldn't accept any $$$. He really is a great guy and deserves a round of applause from all of us. Just don't get in his way at supper time!
     
    docgsx likes this.
  12. Brad Conley

    Brad Conley RIP Staff Member

    Jees, I need to read your posts better Pat. :confused:
     
  13. 2.5

    2.5 Platinum Level Contributor

    What gas tanks are you guys using for these swaps? I put the Holley FI on my 1970 455 Buick and used the Tanks inc tank with a in tank pump. I loose fuel pressure if it goes below 1/2 tank under hard excel. I know it is the tank because I put the old tank back in with an external pump and it did fine. Swapped them back and problem came back.
     
  14. pbulski

    pbulski Well-Known Member

    I haven't installed it yet, the reinforced frame just went to powder coating last night. But I have a tank on order from Rick's Tanks that a friend who is a custom car building highly recommended. As soon as I get it I can let you know.
     
    ceas350 likes this.
  15. Donuts & Peelouts

    Donuts & Peelouts Life's 2 Short. Live like it.

    Ill call that ford a forLoco
     
    1972Mach1 likes this.
  16. GotTattooz

    GotTattooz Well-Known Member

    I used the new Holley in-tank pump in my 65 skylark wagon. It's much quieter than the external pump I had, plus it's internally regulated so I didn't have to use the corvette regulated fuel filter with return to tank hose.

    -Josh
     

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    Bygblok likes this.
  17. Bygblok

    Bygblok Well-Known Member

    I’d be afraid of hard cornering with that Holley setup unless you figure out a way to do a small sump area or slosh tank where the pump sits. The spectra tank has the slosh tank built in so I’ll likely go that direction. Great idea on the Holley piece though.
     
  18. BillA

    BillA Well-Known Member

    That system uses the Hydramat fuel pickup which is designed to stay saturated with fuel, even under hard acceleration or cornering.
     
    Bygblok likes this.
  19. BillA

    BillA Well-Known Member

    I used a stock replacement tank with a Aeromotive Stealth Phantom fuel system with the 340 lph pump.
     
  20. ceas350

    ceas350 "THE BURNER"

    Great swap! Keep the updates coming!
     

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