Builds V8 Swap Project Begins! Again with LS2 (2 Viewers)

[kirk]

How did you level the motor?

Along with silverhorse. what is the correct horizontal alignment of engine and tranny? angled forward/backward or flat part of tranny/engine oil pan level with frame?
thanks

The leveling side to side was done by putting a levl on two bosses in the intake manifold that are flat. The front to back leveling is a bit different. First I leveled the frame of the truck on the lift relative to the ground. then I checked it perpendicular from the front crank pulley.

So to answer the second question. I sit all my engines and drivelines flat to the frame rails. Most vehicles I have done the frame rails run parallel to the ground. The tranny has a sump on it and it can accomodate the position. Some pans sit level to the ground and some tilt forward slightly.

 

[97LandCruser]

Awesome. Thanks Kirk.

 

[wayneosan]

I thought pinion angle is all that matters? If that's spot on the engine can go left or right of center. So, if you set engine parallel to ground did pinion angle change? What about front pinion? I've never done a 4WD before.

 

[warpdriv]

Got the motor in yet?

 

[kirk]

Well I had some time last night to finish weld the motor mounts and paint. I also changed out to the camaro oil pan while the motor was out. I should be able to roll right along now. Exhaust is next.

 

[kirk]

Ok the motor is back in. The LS1 camaro oil pan fits perfect.

 

[wayneosan]

OK THAT'S IT! I'm starting tomorrow.

 

[kirk]

Well I ordered all the exhuast items and I should have them today. The exhaust routing is very tricky in the area of the front diff. Clearances really tight around there. The plan will follow a similar path to my LT1 exhaust.

 

[warpdriv]

Waiting with anticipation.

 

[ktmracer01]

Yes, I am definitely waiting...I feel like I'm doing the potty dance waiting to see how this all turns out.

 

[TwoTonic]

YGM

Well I ordered all the exhuast items and I should have them today. The exhaust routing is very tricky in the area of the front diff. Clearances really tight around there. The plan will follow a similar path to my LT1 exhaust.

Subscribed

Hi Kirk,

Great project. We have done a number of these swaps and love the GM powerplants in the FJs, but have never done an LS2. Can't wait to hear how you like it. The quality of the fab work you're doing is incredible. Please keep us updated.

We have used the Mark's/AA kits quite a bit and there's a potential consideration on the Mark's adapter I'll PM you about offline.

Good luck and keep us posted!
TT

 

[kirk]

Subscribed

Hi Kirk,

Great project. We have done a number of these swaps and love the GM powerplants in the FJs, but have never done an LS2. Can't wait to hear how you like it. The quality of the fab work you're doing is incredible. Please keep us updated.

We have used the Mark's/AA kits quite a bit and there's a potential consideration on the Mark's adapter I'll PM you about offline.

Good luck and keep us posted!
TT

Thank you on the complements of my fab work!

 

[wayneosan]

KIRK; HOW HIGH IS YOUR LIFT?

I'm wondering about front drive shaft clearance to the transmission pan...
Mine is only going to be 2.5"... I may have a problem...

 

[kirk]

KIRK; HOW HIGH IS YOUR LIFT?

I'm wondering about front drive shaft clearance to the transmission pan...
Mine is only going to be 2.5"... I may have a problem...

6" lift with 39.5" swampers. I will shoot pics and post of my slee dc driveshaft mocked up and post.

I will notch my pan in the back a little just for my sanity. It is clear now, but in ohio we often get weeds, branches and mystery things wound up in the driveshafts. I went thru a mudhole once and came out the other end with a mattress wound up in my old 40 series.

 

[TwoTonic]

6" lift with 39.5" swampers. I will shoot pics and post of my slee dc driveshaft mocked up and post.

I will notch my pan in the back a little just for my sanity. It is clear now, but in ohio we often get weeds, branches and mystery things wound up in the driveshafts. I went thru a mudhole once and came out the other end with a mattress wound up in my old 40 series.

Well, yeah, a 6" lift will probably clear it!

 

[kirk]

I am really interested to see the front pumpkin to oil pan clearance and tie rod clearance on the low lift vehicles. Just another thought popped in my head. When I was leveling my engine I set mine dead flat. Maybe you guys could tilt the engine upwards 1 inch maybe two. going towards the front of the truck to gain oil pan clearance. It would help a ton.

 

[TwoTonic]

Hood clearance

I am really interested to see the front pumpkin to oil pan clearance and tie rod clearance on the low lift vehicles. Just another thought popped in my head. When I was leveling my engine I set mine dead flat. Maybe you guys could tilt the engine upwards 1 inch maybe two. going towards the front of the truck to gain oil pan clearance. It would help a ton.

Check your hood clearance. On the Atlas motors there just wasn't much head room. The top of the intake (I think you said you were retaining the TBSS intake) will likely be the limiting factor. (On the Atlas it's the casting for the timing cover.)
You could swap a car intake, it's considerably shorter than the truck manifolds.

 

[wayneosan]

%@&%(*&( it hits pretty good. Alas. I'm making another driveshaft and tilting the motor more. I'll just have to re-set pinion angles.

I'm not going to go as hard as you kirk, so we'll see. I'll have to compromise hood clearance. I'll get a smaller intake if I have to. I'll try to tack the mounts in and set it in there and check hood clearance. I guess I'll drop the pan also.

I could get another tranny, but I just feel like beating my head against a wall. it feels good.

tt; you might as well share some tranny part#s cause there's a lot of guys wanting to do this.

 

[MANUCHAO]

How much space did you end up with between the power steering pump and the steering gear box....?? ¼"-½"

Could yah post pics of that ??

Im in somewhat the same boat right now...

View attachment 442320

View attachment 442321

 

[TwoTonic]

How much space did you end up with between the power steering pump and the steering gear box....?? ¼"-½"

Could yah post pics of that ??

Im in somewhat the same boat right now...

Hey, an L59 in a 60 will be a good match. (Or, if that's a typo and it's an LS9, then you'll be leaving rubber from Covina to Riverside!)