Cascade Crew

Alphius · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 4:03 pm Post subject: LS1 Swap Thread

It's happening. I purchased an '02 LS1/T56 combo with 89k miles today. It will be at my house sometime in December.

I already have Spohn engine and transmission swap mounts.

I have a new exhaust, a brand new stainless steel Magnaflow catback which will be attached by magic to the factory '02 Camaro exhaust manifolds.

I will be going with a full AutoMeter gauge setup.

The ECU will be tuned by Frost I think, unless someone else has a good mail order tuner to recommend.
I will be re-working the harness myself.

I am open to any advice, well-wishes, or accusations of mental instability.

iansane · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 4:44 pm Post subject:

I had Vince at Trifecta flash my pcm. He's right up near you. It's not tuned, just a factory flash sans rear o2s, emissions, etc. However, at the last northend gathering Mark mentioned he could flash the factory program at his place. You may poke him and see if he'd do it on the cheap (aka a couple beers?) He's just a few miles from me. Once I get mine up again I'll have Ellis at Speed Secrets in Snohomish street tune mine.

Now that I think about it. I have a part I still need to give Mark...

And the only mental instability I accuse you of is waiting this long. Very Happy

Alphius · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 5:31 pm Post subject:

How much did Trifecta charge for removing the emissions and VATS?

I might go for that instead of a full tune if it's cheaper than Frost's $150 charge. A stock tune would be fine for me.

iansane · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 5:57 pm Post subject:

It was more than that. Laughing

But that's why if I had to do it over I'd give Mark (Mangus) a call/PM/email to see if he could see bench flash the pcm for you.

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 7:22 pm Post subject:

Good deal... congrats! I don't have much more than good wishes for you at this point other than LS envy Wink

Please keep us up to date on progress.

-Schultzy

QwkTrip · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 7:12 pm Post subject:

Oh, sweeeeeet! Thumbs up

The two mail order tuners that are known to do good work is Frost and Texas Speed. I had Texas Speed fix my 6.0L Camaro tune and they did a very good job. All codes went away, car drove great, and the tune didn't slowly "drift" to a rich condition any more. The other advantage to Texas Speed is they will e-mail the tune file same day if you have your own copy of HP Tuner (flash it yourself). And they'll update the tune for a year if you're not satisfied. Also, Texas Speed doesn't lock the file so you can get in and change anything you want in the future. I don't know whether or not Frost locks the file, but if it is "tuner locked" then nobody else is ever getting in that PCM again.

Are you doing a cam swap while the engine is out? LS1 really responds to a good cam. Huge power difference in that one mod and you can find slightly used cams any day for $250. Being an '02 engine it probably already has the LS6 intake sitting on it. A set of 42-lb LS3 injectors and it will be perfect. SLP sells new LS3 manifold take-offs on ebay for about $300. You can keep the injectors and fuel rail, and then sell the LS3 manifold for about $250 at LS1tech (seriously) + whatever you can get for LS1 injectors. You'll have to change the injector connector on harness but advantage is you'll have larger injectors with quicker response times and easier to tune for good idle quality.

Look at me... I'm already spending your money! Laughing

Alphius · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 7:52 pm Post subject:

aaron_sK · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 8:06 pm Post subject:

Alphius · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 8:15 pm Post subject:

Cheap and easy. -6AN adapters on my stock TPI fuel lines to Corvette filter/regulator to rails. Braided line on all of it.

I already have the fuel pump and wiring taken care of.

aaron_sK · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 8:17 pm Post subject:

So you did a Walbro and relay swap when you did the HSR, eh?

Alphius · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 8:25 pm Post subject:

Ever since I ditched the Quadrajet and dealer-installed helper pump I've had a 14 gauge wire harness off of a relay to a Walbro 255 in a later TPI thirdgen baffled tank. I'm set on the tank and pump. Wink

The one thing I still have to decide on is whether I want to run the Vette filter back near the tank or in the engine bay. Both approaches have their pros and cons. It would be easier and cheaper but more cluttered to run the filter in the engine bay. More expensive but a much cleaner install to run it back by the tank. I have yet to do the full cost analysis/planning for each setup but I have time to work on that.

My inclination to be doing things the right way whenever possible is leaning me towards putting the filter back by the tank and only running the single line up to the engine bay.

aaron_sK · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 8:32 pm Post subject:

Why not just run an aftermarket regulator? Does the C5 unit have some magic beans that makes it necessary?

Alphius · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 8:41 pm Post subject:

It's cheaper than an aftermarket regulator, and it's a filter too. Very Happy

http://www.amazon.com/Wix-33737-Complete-In-Line-Filter/dp/B000C9UJUU

Alphius · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 6:55 pm Post subject:

3" MagnaFlow catback came today.

QwkTrip · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 7:37 pm Post subject:

Good choice. Magnaflow delivers some of the best exhaust noise with LS1 of any exhaust. You're going to like that!

Alphius · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 8:10 pm Post subject:

I've always liked the MagnaFlow sound on any engine I've heard it on. My dad's '99 Z28 had a fourthgen MagnaFlow catback on it when he got it as well, with stock cats still, and it sounded good, so I think I will be happy with this one for sure. Very Happy

My 350 was breathing through a MagnaFlow as well, but that doesn't count as a good comparison since it was a 9-inch case muffler with x-pipe and axle dumps. This one will be way quieter, which is what I am shooting for. I want a car I can daily drive without worries or aggravation.

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

What are you doing with old exhaust Twisted Evil

Alphius · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 8:39 pm Post subject:

Selling it. Are you interested? PM me with an offer. I have shorty headers and 2.5" true dual exhaust with Remflex gaskets for all of it. I have pics too.

Alphius · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 7:02 pm Post subject:

I got my motor mounts today. Already have the tranny mount, but no pictures.

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

Sweet.