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Hi, I am planning on converting a 1990 Chev C1500 over to a 2000 LS1, T56 drive train. I haven't purchased the drive train yet but I would like some feedback. Will the LS1 engine accessories interfere with the frame rails, and will the existing engine mounts work? If there is already a post about this type of conversion could somebody direct me to it? I'm new to this site and would appreciate any help. Thanks alot. Oh and the LS1 is out of a Firebird if that matters
I just finished nearly the same thing. I have an '89 RCLB that originally came with 305/5 spd. It now as an 2000 Fbody LS1/T56. I went with Shoenfeld headers and they indicate which engine mounts to use. The AC bracket will be a problem with the frame rail. There are a few options for it. The guy that was helping me modified my original 89 AC bracket to fit. I went with Nelson Performance PCM and harness.
There are others that can provide info as well.
http://www.ls1truck.com/forums/lsx-t...onversion.html
S&P also makes a bracket that will relocate your A/C as well.
Thanks for the info, I just pulled the old drive train today. I was told that 5.3 truck engine mounts should work. As for the harness, I was hoping to modify it myself if its not to complicated. Does the oil pan clear the cross member, and did you bypass the VATS or just disable it?
engine mounts, there are many ways that work but I have not heard of anyone getting the LS style mounts to work on the OBS conversions. Look at the Schoenfeld headers and the engine mounts they recommend so that you can use both of them in tandem. The Dirty Dingo mounts are gaining popularity but I have not heard of any compatibility issues with the Schoenfeld headers. The harness can be done by yourself but there's something to be said about a harness that is pretty much plug and play. You can send your stock 1990 and 2000 harnesses to someone like NelsonPerformance so that they are married together. You will want to retain the original engine sensors to talk to the dash when you place them in the new engine. Read all the conversion topics you can, the information is valuable and will save you lots of headaches, time and money.
As for the VATS, get a tuner to do a basic tune for you to turn off all the crap you don't want to be giving you issues. NP does a hotrod tune for a really good price.
The stock fbody oil pan worked fine.
So I got the drive train installed in the truck! I ended up using the dirty dingo engine mounts since they work with the trucks existing rubber mounts. Schoenfelds website does recommend a mount kit but thats direct steel on steel which would cause some vibration and unwanted noise, fine for off road use. I also had to change the oilpan to the ls truck style since it did interfere with the cross member. Thanks for all the advice so far. If anyone has some more hints i'd appreciate it!! Not to many eager truck moders in Canada so I'm pretty well on my own.