Has anyone in here done this befor? If so how much modification is needed to make brackets for the engine bay and they new trans? Ive been trying to get some info up on this and i do know that the LS1 is gonna make some crazy power in a car like that. But what i dont want is for the Torque to actually start to rip the factory welds.
Firstly, anything is possible with time and money, if you have both go for it!! I have yet to see an LS-1/2/3/6/7/x powered J-body, I think it would be pretty cool.
Secondly, by reading what you wrote about breaking welds and what not, would you be planning for this swap to be FWD or RWD? I really do not think it would fit longetudinally. If you went RWD, My guess is you would have to custom fab the firewall to fit the tranny, all new mounts and subframe, have no idea if the stock hood would clear the ls motors in this case. Furthermore, you would have to completely modify the floor, which means damaging the structural integrity of the unibody, so be prepared for a sh!tload of bracing. You will need a full custom rear suspension, custom gastank, possible removal of spare tire compartment. Maybe even a custom front suspension for the extra weight.
I have seen 350's in J's (which is about the same as a LS1), so it can be done. Like said money. A company sells a K member kit for
J's that relocates the rack to the front to allow the motor to sit back and down. You would have to rig up a rear end (I would go with a 4 link). You would have to build a frame, or get one to adapt to the project.
FU Tuning
Well i saw gonna do a RWD conversion to the car when i put in the LS1. ive seen a Supercharged 3300 motor go into a Cavalier befor but i want to take it a step further. Personally i dont know about having to modify the firewall. But im perty sure the fram will be needed, and if i have to weld the trunk off from inside the car and then rolcate the gas tank to inside the trunk area, that would work prety well. altho it is a radical idea. Where i live im getting alot of appreciation for the idea and everyone is wanting to see it done. so im thinkin about just buying a stripped body from the junk yard and starting off from scratch. who knows. maybe i can sell my idea to a performance company and make some $. but im wanting to beat all the gear heads that bash on imports and jbodys. having a street cav that beats LS1 TA's and Camaro's would be a tough car. Becuase as everyone knows. Torque + Horsepower + Light Weight = FAST.
and if i do do this and make it work. a set of LS6 heads would make this motor a frankenstein.
