The photos in this edition are black and white.
Make swapping a GM LS Engine into your 1964-1972 Chevelle or other GM A-Body as smooth as possible by learning the essential procedures, solutions to common problems, and time-saving techniques.
Jefferson Bryant, author of LS Swaps: How To Swap GM LS Engines into Almost Anything, has performed many LS swaps throughout his career and has transplanted the LS into several A-Body cars. In this comprehensive guide, he provides detailed step-by-step instructions for installing an LS powerplant into a Chevelle, Buick GS, Oldsmobile Cutlass, and Pontiac GTO. To successfully install an LS engine, you need to select or fabricate motor mounts and adapter plates to mount the engine to the chassis. Also, you need to integrate the electronic engine controls and wiring harness to the A-Body car. If you run a fuel-injection system, a new tank or high-pressure fuel pump, fuel lines, and related equipment must be installed. Bryant covers all of these crucial steps and much more. In addition, he performs a new LT swap into an A-Body car.
The GM LS engine has revolutionized the muscle car and the high-performance V-8 market. It has become a favorite engine to swap into classic cars because it offers a superior combination of horsepower, torque, and responsiveness in a compact package. As such, these modern pushrod V-8 engines are installed in vintage GM muscle cars with relative ease, and that includes Chevelles and other popular GM A-Body cars. In fact, General Motors manufactured about 500,000 Chevelles and A-Body cars between 1968 and 1970 alone.
Swapping an LS engine into an A-Body is made much easier with a comprehensive guidebook such as this, whether you plan on doing it yourself or decide to have a shop do it for you. A huge and thriving aftermarket provides a wide range of suspension, brake, steering, chassis, and other parts that produce functional improvements. Before you tackle your LS Swap project, arm yourself with this vital information to guide you through the process.
Acknowledgments
Inroduction
Chapter 1: Modern V-8 Masterpieces: The LS- and LT-Series Engine
Gen III: A Revolution in V-8 Performance
Gen IV: Improving the Legend
Gen V: The LT-Series
Engine Swap Projects
Performance Project: The “Take-Out” Procedure for a Vortec 5.3-Liter Salvage Yard Engine
Chapter 2: Motor Mounts
Chevy Adapter Mounts for the A-Body
LS Frame Stands
Transmission Mounts
Performance Project: Choosing a Driveline
Chapter 3: Oil Pans, Pan Modifications and Aftermarket Offerings
Stock Oil Pans
Gen V Oil Pans
Aftermarket Gen III/IV Oil Pans
Performance Project: Modifying a Crossmember for Oil Pan Clearance
Chapter 4: Accessory Drives and Cooling Systems
LT Engine Series
Vehicle Fitment with Stock Accessory Drives
Aftermarket Drives
Cooling Systems
Performance Project: Adding Power Steering to a 2014-up LT-Series Engine
Chapter 5: Transmissions
Automatic Transmissions
Manual Transmissions
Performance Project: 3- to 4-Speed Floor Shifter Conversion
Performance Project: Fitting an Early T56 to an LS Engine
Clutch Basics
Chapter 6: Wiring Harnesses and Wiring
Take-Out Harnesses
Cam Sensor Locations
Connectors for 1997–1998 LS1 Engines
Relays for 1997–1998 LS1 Engines
Connectors for 1999–2002 LS1 Engines
Relays for 1999–2002 LS1 Engines
2009-up LS3 ECM Connector Pinouts
LS3 Factory ECM Pinouts
2014-up LT1 ECM Connector Pinouts
Aftermarket Harnesses
Performance Project: Drive-by-Wire to Drive-by-Cable Conversion
Chapter 7: Engine Management Systems, Tuning Software and Controllers
Aftermarket Tuning Packages
Aftermarket Engine Management
Performance Project: Installing an Aftermarket Transmission Controller
Chapter 8: Fuel System
Fuel Pumps
Inline Fuel Pumps
Performance Project: Installing a Phantom Pump System
Chapter 9: Exhaust System
Exhaust Manifolds
Headers
Catalytic Converters
Air Intake
Performance Project: Installing a Pypes Exhaust System
Performance Project: How to Properly Dimple Headers
Source Guide
The photos in this edition are black and white.
Make swapping a GM LS Engine into your 1964-1972 Chevelle or other GM A-Body as smooth as possible by learning the essential procedures, solutions to common problems, and time-saving techniques.
Jefferson Bryant, author of LS Swaps: How To Swap GM LS Engines into Almost Anything, has performed many LS swaps throughout his career and has transplanted the LS into several A-Body cars. In this comprehensive guide, he provides detailed step-by-step instructions for installing an LS powerplant into a Chevelle, Buick GS, Oldsmobile Cutlass, and Pontiac GTO. To successfully install an LS engine, you need to select or fabricate motor mounts and adapter plates to mount the engine to the chassis. Also, you need to integrate the electronic engine controls and wiring harness to the A-Body car. If you run a fuel-injection system, a new tank or high-pressure fuel pump, fuel lines, and related equipment must be installed. Bryant covers all of these crucial steps and much more. In addition, he performs a new LT swap into an A-Body car.
The GM LS engine has revolutionized the muscle car and the high-performance V-8 market. It has become a favorite engine to swap into classic cars because it offers a superior combination of horsepower, torque, and responsiveness in a compact package. As such, these modern pushrod V-8 engines are installed in vintage GM muscle cars with relative ease, and that includes Chevelles and other popular GM A-Body cars. In fact, General Motors manufactured about 500,000 Chevelles and A-Body cars between 1968 and 1970 alone.
Swapping an LS engine into an A-Body is made much easier with a comprehensive guidebook such as this, whether you plan on doing it yourself or decide to have a shop do it for you. A huge and thriving aftermarket provides a wide range of suspension, brake, steering, chassis, and other parts that produce functional improvements. Before you tackle your LS Swap project, arm yourself with this vital information to guide you through the process.
Acknowledgments
Inroduction
Chapter 1: Modern V-8 Masterpieces: The LS- and LT-Series Engine
Gen III: A Revolution in V-8 Performance
Gen IV: Improving the Legend
Gen V: The LT-Series
Engine Swap Projects
Performance Project: The “Take-Out” Procedure for a Vortec 5.3-Liter Salvage Yard Engine
Chapter 2: Motor Mounts
Chevy Adapter Mounts for the A-Body
LS Frame Stands
Transmission Mounts
Performance Project: Choosing a Driveline
Chapter 3: Oil Pans, Pan Modifications and Aftermarket Offerings
Stock Oil Pans
Gen V Oil Pans
Aftermarket Gen III/IV Oil Pans
Performance Project: Modifying a Crossmember for Oil Pan Clearance
Chapter 4: Accessory Drives and Cooling Systems
LT Engine Series
Vehicle Fitment with Stock Accessory Drives
Aftermarket Drives
Cooling Systems
Performance Project: Adding Power Steering to a 2014-up LT-Series Engine
Chapter 5: Transmissions
Automatic Transmissions
Manual Transmissions
Performance Project: 3- to 4-Speed Floor Shifter Conversion
Performance Project: Fitting an Early T56 to an LS Engine
Clutch Basics
Chapter 6: Wiring Harnesses and Wiring
Take-Out Harnesses
Cam Sensor Locations
Connectors for 1997–1998 LS1 Engines
Relays for 1997–1998 LS1 Engines
Connectors for 1999–2002 LS1 Engines
Relays for 1999–2002 LS1 Engines
2009-up LS3 ECM Connector Pinouts
LS3 Factory ECM Pinouts
2014-up LT1 ECM Connector Pinouts
Aftermarket Harnesses
Performance Project: Drive-by-Wire to Drive-by-Cable Conversion
Chapter 7: Engine Management Systems, Tuning Software and Controllers
Aftermarket Tuning Packages
Aftermarket Engine Management
Performance Project: Installing an Aftermarket Transmission Controller
Chapter 8: Fuel System
Fuel Pumps
Inline Fuel Pumps
Performance Project: Installing a Phantom Pump System
Chapter 9: Exhaust System
Exhaust Manifolds
Headers
Catalytic Converters
Air Intake
Performance Project: Installing a Pypes Exhaust System
Performance Project: How to Properly Dimple Headers
Source Guide