Project: LS1ick68

[Slick68]

First off, let me explain the cheesy name. On every other message forum I'm on and in my email, my username is Slick68. I came up with that name because everyone always told me how slick my truck is/was.

Anyway, the 350 in my 68 is bad and needs replaced. I searched several options and finally found this LS1 from an 02 Camaro from board member, FunkyTechMonkey. It has 40,000 approx. miles on it and it has a Texas Speed MS3 cam installed. I'm afraid the cam will be too big for my purposes, so it will be changed to something a bit more tame. The MS3 cam requires a 3500-3800 stall converter, so I'll get something I can run with about a 2200 stall speed.

As of now, this will be bolted to my current TH350 trans with a 3.07 gear. I'm going to run a carb on it for simplicity. I plan to install the Edelbrock Performer RPM dual plane intake, MSD 6010 ignition control box, and a Holley 670 Street Avenger carb. I also plan to relocate the coil packs and mount the engine as rearward as possible. I'll more than likely run headers of some sort when I can find what I want for a "reasonable" price. Wow, LS headers are pricey!! But, by the time I get some exhaust manifolds, clean them up and have them coated, I'll be close to the same money.

I'm sure I'll explain more as this thread continues, so here's the pics I have as of now. Not much, but I'll add more as I have something more to show.

Unloading from the truck.




Makeshift stand until I found some metric bolts to mount it to the engine stand.




Finally on the stand.

[Slick68]

The heads had already been unbolted, so I took them to a shop where a buddy of mine works. He let me use the tools and parts washer machine. I disassembled them, cleaned everything, lapped the valves and reassembled them.

Nice and clean now!




Time to get to the short block. I'll get it cleaned up and prepped for paint. I'll also start cleaning up the used external parts I'll be getting in.




Picked these up on Saturday, as well. The kit came with clamshell style mounts, but all I may need is the plates, so I'm unsure if I want to use these or just use the plates as templates to have custom ones made.

[00shortbox]

That's gonna be a fun build! Looking forward to seeing your progress.

[pl4yboy]

I suggest a larger stall as LS motors love to rev. That 2200 is only about 500 bigger than stock. Really, not even worth your time or money. It sound scary, but a 3200 with a slightly smaller cam really would make you happier. Any cam with a 2200 is going to feel like a dog on the low end, especially with those 3.07 gears.

[CHEVROLADE]

going to be sweet truck

[Slick68]

Got a few parts in.




Hood is off and engine/trans. are ready to be pulled. Hopefully it will be out this weekend.

[PitchBlackC3]

That is a nice looking 68. I've been trying to find a decent project 67-72 but nothing promising so far.

[Slick68]

I suggest a larger stall as LS motors love to rev. That 2200 is only about 500 bigger than stock. Really, not even worth your time or money. It sound scary, but a 3200 with a slightly smaller cam really would make you happier. Any cam with a 2200 is going to feel like a dog on the low end, especially with those 3.07 gears.

I'm really not too worried about that, because the old 350 I've had so far will seem like a pig compared to this engine with even a stock LS1 cam.

I've got to try and figure out what cam I need, though. I can't just call and order an in stock cam from places like Texas Speed or EPS, because most are designed for FI. Carb'd cams need tighter LSA's. COMP recommended the LSR273. That seems strange to me, though, because it has only slightly less duration and more lift than the current MS3. They recommended that cam since I already have dual valvesprings.

[94RCSB]

if you do pull the ms3 cam and want to get rid of it i may interested for my build beautiful truck and good luck with build

[Botlfed]

i just realised that pan had no oil plug bolt, do you want me to pick one up and send it to you??