LS SWAP INFO

[robertcrav]

Thought this would be a good idea for us to collect LS swap info in order to keep from polluting build threads with questions...

found this "build"
http://www.ls1truck.com/forums/lsx-truc ... -hate.html

[robertcrav]

LS Powered first gen lightning in process
http://www.nloc.net/vbforum/gen-1-light ... tning.html

[robertcrav]

I don't know who's this is...but supposedly it is LS powered

[ChaseTruck754]

I have been thinking about this (back burner) for a while. Andy has been talking about it for even longer...

My thought has been LQ4 or LQ9 bolted to a 4L80E. Hopefully dropping the "E" to shift it with a gate shifter, and then mated to whatever t-case come in the newer trucks. I THINK it's a 241HD or something like that.

Anyway.

Philo said something a while back that perked my ears up as well!

I can buy a 5.3 truck motor for $400, spend $250 on ECU and Harness, $250 on a LS1 intake, $400 on a good cam, Headers for $300, and make 400HP for $1600

Here's some snipits I've saved & links I've gotten from Andy & others.

LS basics:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_LS_engine

Forums/info
http://www.lt1swap.com/

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/index.php

http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids-28/


Motor swap threads
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=798904

http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-h ... -swap.html


Swap FAQ
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conversio ... -faqs.html


Performance parts
http://www.speartech.com/

http://www.hptuners.com/index.php


Crate Motor
http://paceperformance.com/i-6255504-19 ... orque.html

http://paceperformance.com/



Wiring Harness/kit for crate motor
http://paceperformance.com/i-6255503-19 ... nsors.html



Box to convert to mechanical speedo/tach
http://www.abbott-tach.com/cablex.htm

http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm? ... prd126.htm

Digital Tach interface
http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm? ... prd127.htm

[philofab]

You can also get yourself a JW ultrabell to fit it to a Ford trans such as a C6. LS use the same pattern as earlier Chevy's minus one bolt hole. Get yourself a crank spacer and bolt it up.

[baja-chris]

There might be a lot of details and issues to resolve if you want to keep the stock Ford dash, gauges, warning lights, controls, fuel system, etc. Would you eliminate the Ford ECU and wiring harness and replace with GM?

The swap seems more practical if you are doing a full build where you wire the truck from scratch, custom dash/gauges, etc. Also, I can't think of any reason to use a Ford transmission with a GM engine.

Anyway my point is there is a lot more to it than mechanical installation.

[ChaseTruck754]

Good points Chris.

For MY stuff it would be going in more of a "full" build so it would be getting custom gauges & warning lights, and it should be going in a truck where a ECU for a vehicle wasn't invented at the time most likely.

For others, all of this is definitely something to think of.

The cost of the motor & trans & getting it physically in the truck is just the beginning of something like this.

And yes, I'd use a Chevy trans. No reason to make more work just to go with a ford one. Unless I guess you're trying to "save" cash by using something you already have, which chances are won't save you much anyway.

[philofab]

Ford in tank fuel pump can be used. You will have to convert fuel rails if the engine is new enough to have a return less system.

Ford ECM is only needed with an electronically controlled Ford transmission (E4OD) if you do no use aftermarkets controls for it (Baumann)

Gauges of any year can be made to work including speedometer. The gauges do not use the ECM for signal, and the ECM uses separate sensors to work.

ABS could be retained if you wanted to.

Electronic shifting of the T case could be tricky as the ECM does have a role in that.

Gas pedal will have to be changed to a GM for fly by wire systems unless you convert the motor to an older throttle body.

[ChaseTruck754]

Philo - you bring up a good point that I hadn't thought about or looked at yet.

On the t-case shifting. Are all of the newer GM units electronic shifting, or is there a manual t-case available in the trucks that would work maybe? Or was that comment based on if people have the electric t-case in their bronco/f-150?

[cs_drums]

possibly use a 2wd ECM and a manual shift T-case. I still want to put a BW4472 in my bronco and make it AWD. I beleive you can get a motor plate for an LS to TH400 and the 7S i used to tinker on had a th400/4472 set up.

[philofab]

possibly use a 2wd ECM and a manual shift T-case. I still want to put a BW4472 in my bronco and make it AWD. I beleive you can get a motor plate for an LS to TH400 and the 7S i used to tinker on had a th400/4472 set up.

LS to Turbo 400 does not need a plate. Just the correct flexplate or a crank spacer.

Philo - you bring up a good point that I hadn't thought about or looked at yet.

On the t-case shifting. Are all of the newer GM units electronic shifting, or is there a manual t-case available in the trucks that would work maybe? Or was that comment based on if people have the electric t-case in their bronco/f-150?

No, Manual T-Case are available. You can also run older stuff like 203s and such. The comment was concerning Ford electric T-Cases and how they work from the factory.

[philofab]

Oh, and regarding the 2wd ECM, you will want a custom flash for any LS based motor to remove Passlock, certain emissions, and any options you don't want.

[ChaseTruck754]

Back from the dead with a little LS lovin.

Ran across this on another site & found it interesting so I figured I'd throw it here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsmbbuS ... HBwpnAUkJA

[dtbback]

Really cool video!!

[sirhk100]

Old thread but figured "maybe"... I've got a lq9 in my 2WD 90's obs F150. Stock until now... It's got the stock manifolds on it currently but my motor is currently in the shop having some pretty major mods done to it. Has anyone found off the shelf headers that work on their truck with a LS swap? I'm not opposed to custom but I'd like to explore cheaper options first. would prefer 1-7/8" tubes if possible...

[ChaseTruck754]

Might be comparing apples to oranges here, but this guy dropped an LS series in an Exploder and the headers he used fit/tuck well. I would ASSUME that if they fit in the smaller/tighter Exploder platform that they may work for the Bronco/F-150s. Not sure on primary size on the things though.
https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/in ... 717/page-3

Complete side track questions, but what kind of HP and torque numbers were you getting and what kind of MPG if you have recorded/logged any of that? And is this swap in a non smog zone or did you go through the BAR referee process? What are you using as engine management/computer?

[sirhk100]

Well, mine isn't a good donor for that info. My lq9 was 100% stock other than a tune. mated to a heavily built 4l80 done by culhane and 6.0 gears in the rear on 35s. It's never been on the street and is usually ran hard. 4-6mpg... LOL But now it's going to be a stroked, head work, cam, blah blah 640/560 hp/tq motor. 416ci. Switched to 5.0 gears now. SHould have the motor back in about 4 weeks. Getting a custom converter built next week. 21" front travel, 29" rear. Big shocks, not raced, just a play truck.

Thanks for that link, I'm going to check it out now. Agreed on the fitment for an explorer.

[ChaseTruck754]

Got it. The computer/wiring/engine management setup you used and/or the hp/torque you see would still interest me IF you've dynoed it before the new work. That setup (well, lq4 or lq9) is what I'd love to swap into something.

[VintageIronFab]

Ok what transfer case goes behind the 4L80E with a drivers side drop- can the one behind a E4OD work?- I’d guess not. Also is a 4L80 dimensionally close to an E4OD length wise? I’m warming to the idea of a 4L80E with a converted Ford bellhousing only because I like the idea of full manual shift with 4 gate positions. Absolutely not going to a Chevy engine.

[AussieRod]

Ok what transfer case goes behind the 4L80E with a drivers side drop- can the one behind a E4OD work?- I’d guess not. Also is a 4L80 dimensionally close to an E4OD length wise? I’m warming to the idea of a 4L80E with a converted Ford bellhousing only because I like the idea of full manual shift with 4 gate positions. Absolutely not going to a Chevy engine.

Just use an adaptor plate for the Chev trans behind a Ford V8. It will then depend only on what transfer will work for the driver side drop.