Stepping up to a Vortec (LM7)

[badsamaritan]

Got a few minutes to spare today so I worked on the FJ. I have a aluminum LS2 block that will someday go in my chevelle. I used it to check out my AA adapters and get a general if everything is going to line up. Looks good so far, I think the only change will be to the oil pan as it's the stock truck pan and may hang to low.

Did anyone else have to ditch the truck pan as well?

 

[badsamaritan]

Had a buddy come over today and give me a hand getting the LM7 installed. Went really smooth even despite the fact that we had the trans and the bell housing already installed in the vehicle. The stock truck pan clears but just barely, so I am going to have to find a Camaro pan and pickup tube and swap those in. Pver the next few days I'll try and get the wiring tackled as well as the TAC and PCM modules mounted somewhere out of the way.

I'm also updating the parts list in post #1 with all of the bolts I used

 

[Griffin]

This will be kickass when finished. Thanks for posting all the details. One day I hope to do a similar conversion and this helps me think through a lot of the up-front questions.

 

[scrapdaddy]

I've read, where some guys have notched thier truck pan, so the flange doesn't hit. I'm putting a vortec in my FJ55 and will have the same problem. It's been sugested to trim or take off the plastic cover, on top of the motor, to gain some room, also.

Good luck,

 

[Hugh Heifer]

radioridge has also done this. Hit him up for questions.

 

[JTeeg]

Did anyone else have to ditch the truck pan as well?

Depending upon your lift you might be ok. I have a 2 1/2 OME lift and installed the Camaro oil just to be sure. Swapping to a Camaro pan will give you an approximately 3" of additional clearance.

 

[badsamaritan]

Depending upon your lift you might be ok. I have a 2 1/2 OME lift and installed the Camaro oil just to be sure. Swapping to a Camaro pan will give you an approximately 3" of additional clearance.

It's right on the line of being ok, but I think I am going to change it out just to be on the safe side. I'll snap a pic next time I am in the garage.

 

[badsamaritan]

picked up a set of C5 corvette headers on ebay. They are center dump with the o2 port on them will post pics and PN's soon

 

[badsamaritan]

Picked up a 2000 Camaro F-body oil pan, pickup, and windage tray on ebay. Looking to swap pans sometime this coming week

 

[badsamaritan]

Pics of the Exhaust manifolds I picked up GM part numbers will be added to the running PN list up top. Mine have the aluminum heat shields on them also.

Pic of the pan:

 

[badsamaritan]

Does anyone have a picture or a PN for the stock ecm mount?? I think I have the location nailed down to moutn the ecm just looking at bracket options

 

[JTeeg]

I mounted the ECM in the glove box with velcro and then fabbed a cover over the ECM.

 

[badsamaritan]

I mounted the ECM in the glove box with velcro and then fabbed a cover over the ECM.

I'd like to get it over there, but the harness might be a tad short. I can make it to where the blower motor was mounted, but the harness maybe too short to actually make it into the glovebox.

 

[badsamaritan]

I'd like to get it over there, but the harness might be a tad short. I can make it to where the blower motor was mounted, but the harness maybe too short to actually make it into the glovebox.

Scratch the above comment, I am retarded. I have plenty to make into the glove box so that's where I am heading as well. I picked up a ECM mount from ironworks speed and custom.

Also got my block hugger headers in from AA and they fit pretty nice.

Pass side:

Drivers side:

Clearance between DS header and steering shaft:

Also had the issue with the truck pan being too low so the Camaro pan is here I just need to get the correct pickup and o-ring.

oil pan to front DS clearance (hard to tell)

 

[nicholastheczar]

Make sure you have some fresh air circulation in the glove box for the ECM. I had mine in there and in the summer it would get too hot and cause problems. Specifically, it kept my 700R4 tranny from shifting into overdrive. Once I relocated the ECM to underneath the glovebox, no more problems.

Nick

 

[40's rock]

Im using an H41 with AA bell housing...anyone have pics of motor mounts on the bell houing?

 

[sgirt]

You will love the engine! You are making lots of progress with similar clearances of mine. I used the same headers and love them. I only have about 1/4 between the elec fan and front pulley. It is tight, but works great!

 

[badsamaritan]

Im using an H41 with AA bell housing...anyone have pics of motor mounts on the bell houing?

I am pretty sure my bell housing is a GM truck bell. I can post pics of my mounts though if you like.

You will love the engine! You are making lots of progress with similar clearances of mine. I used the same headers and love them. I only have about 1/4 between the elec fan and front pulley. It is tight, but works great!

Thanks sgirt, I am really looking forward to getting this thing back on the road. Can I ask what you did for a fuel pump? And did you use the throttle pedal from the donor vehicle or find something else??

 

[FluByU]

Did you reuse the original frame motor mount locations? I have been considering this swap when my F finally gives up and just curious if I can reuse the original mounting location or if they need to move forward or back. Can you post an up close pic as well?

Thanks










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[78fj40mg]