Eric McClellan - How to Swap GM LS-Engines into Camaros & Firebirds 1967-1981

CarTech

CarTech, Inc.

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2013 by Eric McClellan

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Layout by Monica Seiberlich

ISBN 978-1-61325-144-7

Item No. SA297

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

McClellan, Eric.

Swap LS Engines into Camaros & Firebirds 19671981 / by Eric McClellan.

pages cm

1. General Motors automobilesMotorsModification. 2. General Motors automobilesCustomizing. I. Title.

TL215.G4M36 2012

629.25dc23

2012019702

Title Page: This LS engine was installed in Mary Pozzis 1973 Camaro. Mary competed extensively with this Pro Touring Camaro and achieved quite a bit of success. (Photo Courtesy Mary Pozzi)

Back Cover Photos

Top Left: The new subframe and suspension has been assembled and is ready for installation. The front subframe requires six main body bolts that are very strong, lining up the frame is a snap with the two alignment holes in the frame, which line up with corresponding holes in the body at the base of the firewall, but the sheet metal needs to remain in great shape. The frame alignment may need to be fine-tuned once the front sheet metal has been installed. Some Camaros have been damaged over the years and/or had floorpans replaced by people who lack attention to detail.

Top Right: Here, the body is separated from the frame. I used a jack and a block of wood to move each side of the body at a time. I then used a series of strategically placed jack stands to keep the car body level and give me room to slide the new frame into place. Although it may seem that the body is stable, you dont want the jack stands to slip and safety to be compromised.

Middle Left: The ATS LS swap mount kit includes all the hardware and polyurethane bushings made by Energy Suspension. ATS had to make a small modification to the bushings, so these arent exactly off-the-shelf parts. The engine mounts are on the right and the black mount plates are in the middle. In addition, these mounts can be installed upside down if necessary, but installing them upside down changes the positioning of the engine slightly.

Middle Right: Most passenger-side headers are similar and do not have component clearance issues. Therefore, I only show you a driver-side comparison because often there are steering rod and other component clearance issues. Stainless Works specifically makes a version for the SpeedTech subframe (top). A universal version (bottom) is made by Hooker (PN 2288). Notice how the number-3 cylinder exhaust port is placed up and away from the steering components.

Bottom Left: This is a good close-up of the transmission crossmember that comes with the Speed Tech front subframe. It has a lot of front-to-back movement that allows me to place the engine and transmission virtually anywhere I choose. Using Grade-8 bolts, the crossmember just sits in place on top of the frame and is bolted in.

Bottom Right: The upper and lower radiator hoses will now need to be run. This typically isnt an off-the-shelf part so I have to come up with a better idea.

CONTENTS

DEDICATION

To my son Max:

Some day youll have all I can teach you.

I owe a big thanks to everyone who helped me complete this book. It is a very true statement that nothing great can be done alone. Its all due to the good nature and knowledge of the following people and companies that this project was possible. For that I am eternally grateful.

Scott Parkhurst; Roger, Blake, and Jay of Speed Tech Performance; Horace, Chris, Damon, and David of Mast Motorsports; my UPS guy, Jeff; Nate Shaw of One Guys Garage; Chad Vancura; Ryan Christianson; Robert Rierson; Jim, Clay, and Myron of TPIS; David Schardt of Forgeline; Rick Elam of Baer Brakes; Ross McCombs of QuickTime; Blane, Liz, and Bill of Holley; Nick Strohbeen of Norms Tires; Joe Rode of Eddie Motorsports; Nathan Tovey of TREMEC; Tom Fuehrer; Nick Licata and Steve Rupp of Camaro Performers magazine; Mary Pozzi; Mark Stielow; Scott Parker of GM High-Tech Performance magazine; Wayne and Ken of KWiK Performance; Kris Carlson of Auto Meter; Paul Grabowski of Stainless Works; Kevin of Bears Performance; Todd of MSD; Mike Weinberg of Rockland Standard Gear; Carl Casanova of VaporWorx; Hector and Rick of Ricks Tanks; Mike Copeland of Diversified Creations; Karen and Jim of AutoRad Radiators; Jimi Day of Optima Batteries; Marc of Hedman; Jamie Meyer of General Motors; Kim Gossett of Matts Classic Bowties; Rick and Mark of Street & Performance; Dennis Warhurst; Scott Hughes of American Autowire; Bret and everyone at RideTech; Eric Blakely and Smitty of Edlebrock; Kurt Anderson of Autokraft; Mike Norcia of Ram Clutches; Robb of RobbMc Performance; J.C. of Strange Engineering; Nick Fowler of Scoggin-Dickey Chevrolet; Kevin Stearns of Pacific Fabrication; Clif of LSXTV.com; LS1TECH.com; Lateral-G.net; and Pro-Touring.com.