nope ... used to get 15-16mpg if kept under 65mph with the 3.08 rear - now with the 3.31's its 13-14mpg. ohhh, and thats with almost 560hp
The motor is now painted. Here are a few pics including the superstar painter Jam Master Jay. I think you will like the color choice.
Looking good Steven. Quietly following the thread here and on LS1tech. I have considered the same swap but with a 5 or 6 speed. Kesler has a 5 speed that can be installed with no floor or tunnel cutting.
Thanx Guys. Come on down. We can make a trip to the track to rubber coat the quarter panels. :laugh: The motor is in the rails. Here are some pics:
Looks nice. Are you happy with the header fit? Bet you're getting itchy for it to run now. feeling 20-years younger?
Looking good!!! Question...In the first pic on pg 1, there is what looks to be a coolant overflow tank on the passenger inner fender. That isn't stock for that year, is it? Didn't think overflow tanks were standard until the 70's. What vehicle did you source it from? It does look like it belongs there.
Thanx guys. It sure does bring back the excitement Adam. The headers fit, but they are tight in a few spots. I have to put the transmission in and get the engine angle right before I say for sure if they will need to be "dinged" for clearance. The overflow tank was in the car when I got it. It looks like a G-body piece to me, but I am not sure.
Thanx Todd. The idea of test drive is great motivation. However, that will be on a delay while we re-engineer the motor mounts. The engine needs to be about 1" up and back from where the Edelbrock motor mount adapters locates the engine as the steering centerlink and inner tie rods hit the pan and the left header hits the lower control arm saddle. So, a little more work before we bolt on all the goodies.
mehh ... where would the fun be if it all just perfectly bolted into place ? ou: I was in the garage Eyeing the Sporty last night and got to thinking how kewl would it be to have a turbo'd LS3 with a 6sp stick ?!?!?
Those LS3s can make really big numbers. I have seen a couple with just a cam and intake cresting 550HP. That would be an awesome "amusement ride". :laugh:
Steven, I noticed that you are using the Edelbrock Quiet-Flo pump on this swap. I tried one of those on my car a few weeks ago and didn't have very good luck with it. Here's the thread: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=224482&highlight=electric+fuel+pump I sent it back to Summit and they sent me a replacement but after my experience with the first one I decided just to send it back and bought a Holley 130gph mechanical and it's working great. I know a mechanical pump isn't an option for you and I can't say for sure you'll have the same experience as I did, just that it might be a concern.
That is not good news Bill!. I will give it a shot and see how it works, but if I have fuel starvation problem, I will know exactly where to look! Like you, I bought it for the quiet factor. If it does not work, I will likely go "in tank" for the next pump.
While there are 5-10 different companies that make "engine swap" motor mount adapters for putting LS engines in older cars, none of the designs that I have seen are correct for 64-65 a-bodies. They all move the engine forward 1/2 to 1 inch and they leave the engine too low in the cradle to clear the centerlink at full turn. So, I created my own. Here are a few pics of the motor mount frame stands:
