LS1 swapping into my 3rd gen issues

[tuske427]

HI:

This weekend some friends and I were performing the LS1 swap into my 1984 Trans Am. Engine/ trans is an '02, and the engine mount kit is from F-Body motorsports.

I'm discovering the following issues, and was wondering if you have any suggestions for solving them.

1- the AC compressor won't fit. Obviously, the compressor interferes with the crossmember. I don't know if there's another compressor that would fit. I don't have the welding/ fabrication skills to modify the crossmember. For now I'm foregoing the AC but since I'm in CA I'd like to use it if possible. Any suggestions?

2- The windshield wiper motor interferes with the smog equipment and fuel rail for the engine. I can relocate the smog part, but not the fuel rail. Is there any other wiper motor that would be smaller/ mount slightly different to clear the fuel rail? My wiper motor does not have delay, either, (if it matters. I think I remember the older cars having larger wiper motor assemblies if they had wiper delay)

3- How do I bleed the hydraulic clutch cylinder? Do I do this before I install it onto the clutch/ bellhousing? Can I use any hydraulic fluid (power steering fluid) or is there specific "hydraulic clutch cylinder" fluid?

4- Is there any factory bellows/ air tubes that will work on the third gen car for locating the MAF and the air inlet temp sensor? Not sure if I can grab something from a junkyard or if I need to get one from a junkyard.

Any experience or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

[LS13RDGEN]

Check out thirdgenresource.com for an AC bracket. Not cheap, but there are not alot of options.

I took my windshield wiper motor out all together. Supposeldly the motor will fit in there with the LS1 but I never really bothered to tinker with it.

We used brake fluid for the clutch resevoir. Never did bleed it now that I think of it.

Over on thirdgenresource.com they make a air intake kit for the swap too, but I used a 90 degree cold air intake kit for a 2000 GTO on my swap. Worked great.

[LS13RDGEN]

Also check out www.speartech.com in their company project cars section.
They have a 91 Z28 with a LS1 in it that they did years ago. Step by steps photos and stuff might help ya out.

[tuske427]

cool, thank you! I'll check those links/ sites now

[Ωmega]

hawksthirdgenparts.com also has a lot of good resources and conversion parts. Check them out. If it helps, they make a conversion K-member, long-tubes (i think theyre the only ones who make longtubes that fit) if you're interested.

[tuske427]

Thank you, I'll check them out!

[RamAirZ]

K I have answers for all your questions :) I installed a 2000 Vette LS1/T56 into my 87' Iroc LB9/A4 car.

1.= You can A: cut out the k-member for the compressor to fit in it's current location and box the section in using new metal b: www.fbodymotorsports.com (http://www.fbodymotorsports.com) has alot of swap parts including a bracket that allows you to use your factory compressor, only downfall is I here the belt slips ALOT and the bracket is crappy. Don't have any 1st hand on it so don't qoute me or C: check out www.hotradlane.cc (http://www.hotradlane.cc) They sell EVERYTHING pretty much, including a pretty A/C wide bracket to bolt in a sanden 508 compressor

2.=K I didn't have this problem because I removed my wiper motor but the newer 3rd gens used a different wiper motor. The newer motor started in 88, there was also a change for 84-87. You could swap in the newer one, might have to do some rewring. How bad is it hitting? You could clock the motor and drill/tap new holes. I don't remember how different the newer ones were. You might look into getting a different motor from another car perhaps. Which motormounts did you use, I don't recall this being a common problem with the swaps and just wondering if yours is sitting differently in the engine bay, have any pics you could send my way?

3.= You can use brake fluid like stated above, DOT3 is good. You really can't bleed it off the car because the line is sealed until it is installed on the throwout bearing and it wouldn't be smart to force bleed it

4.= On the intake you could get some universal elbows from ebay or even your local auto parts store to fit everything in. Be innovative, you could use some exhaust piping and paint it and use a coupler to bolt the MAF in, they also sell kits at www.fbodymotorsports.com (http://www.fbodymotorsports.com) if you just want to purchase an actual intake setup for it. Or www.hotrodlane.cc (http://www.hotrodlane.cc) has a maf/air filter combo in one that is pretty neat. I'd check out ebay for a smooth bellow and an elbow as well and make my own setup.


If you have any questions email me at DalZ24@aol.com I did everything myself including making my own longtube headers because none were available at the time. I'd be glad to help ya out.