98 v6 to 98 ls1 swap: anybody done this exact swap?

[WishIHad$$$]

Wow, I just realized you are the same one who posted a reply to my LS1tech thread [img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img]

I have the 3.42 w/limited slip. I'm trying to piece together what I would need. I can't believe it's going to be ~$3,000 for parts. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Also, John_D, how long did the swap take you?

[John_D.]

It adds up fast. I was surprised. If you can get the stuff from TAP, that's probably cheaper than what I did. (and they're only a couple of hours from me too...) I spent $3200 just on the engine, tranny, pcm, harness on ebay. More big bucks on a BMR k-member, Z06 maf, SLP radiator, etc. too, stuff that you have included in your TAP parts list already.

I needed a steering rack too. If it doesn't come with the k-member, make sure you ask for one. Even though I thought the "fast ratio" steering on mine would be the same, it's not. The LS1 unit angles the shaft more toward the rear and more toward the driver's side, to clear the exhaust and to clear the alternator. Oh yeah, put it on before the engine is on the k-member... Or plan on lifting the engine off the k-member to get it on there. (voice of experience)

Mine kind of dragged out. I took the v6 out over the July 4th weekend. I finished the swap sometime in August. But a lot of my time was spent finding a steering rack (only after needlessly modifying my alternator), tracking down an exhaust hanger (the one by the cat) to support my MAC y-pipe, waiting on silicon radiator hoses that never showed up, trying to find a 98 water temp sensor when I broke mine... All the local parts places had the 2 wire 99+, but not the 3 wire '98, and they couldn't get it either.

When it was time to put the new engine/tranny in, I lifted the car and got it all bolted up in about 20 minutes... By myself. So that part was easy.

Then I had to repair a broken pcm socket, trim my exhaust pipe a little, and made a delrin shim for the tranny to raise the tail end up a little. Pressure bled the brakes. Just piddly stuff after the engine went in...