GM LFX 3.6L V6 Motor Swap

[ILLSMOQ]

Show us your skillz

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by gtpvette

I've done a fair bit of fiberglass work over the years so I certainly agree,, might still be better to start from scratch,,, don't know yet. Still like that bowed hood,,, follows the lines of the car better.


You laugh,,, but cut off the top of that snorkel scoop and I'm in business

I was laughing, but still giving it the eyeball as well...lol. Personally, I don't think the Eleanor hood matches the shape of the rest of the car. I think the 86 needs something that would sort of match the front fender lines when viewed from the side. But looks are subjective. The project is still badass no matter what.

[venturaII]

Actually, this scoop might work better if chopped down; it's wider and flatter than the mailbox scoop, so it'd probably be easier to fit over the cam covers and front of the intake manifold..

[gtpvette]

Originally Posted by ILLSMOQ

Show us your skillz

Make no mistake,,,, I'm a total hack LOL






I've been looking at everything I can find,,,, just not seeing what I envision.


I think some of the later model Mopars come closest. Like this Viper,,, just the center section. A little taller and tighter together in the front,, no air intake either. Maybe indent the top a bit. Simple.

[venturaII]

I saw something like that recently...gimme a few...


EDIT: not quite the one I was thinking, but close...I'll have to search more tonight.

[gtpvette]

That's the best FRS hood I've seen. I'd need to be wider though. I like the way it tapers off towards the windshield.

[venturaII]

The extractor vents also look like they're a little too close to the high pressure area around the cowl to be really effective, too. But the scoop is slick looking; maybe the same shape could be widened.

[gtpvette]

Plumbing is mostly done. I do have to move the expansion tank as it hits the hood. Guess I should of cut the hole in the hood earlier so I could test fit. Need to weld beads on the two radiator hard pipes when everything comes apart so the hoses stay on. I did cut off the end of the OEM pipe to get a better angle. I then added a 90 degree hard pipe to the radiator. Heater hoses fit fine and in the end shouldn't of cut them shorter. There isn't a bead on them now so I worry about them blowing off. Also,,, I need to buy like 87 hose clamps.

Radiator panel work is done. I need to pull everything off and paint/powder coat . The only large areas where air really gets into the engine compartment is that area just in front of both wheels right by the headlights. Other than that it has to go through the radiator.

Hole in hood is cut,, manifold just barely sticks out. Hood scoop shouldn't need to be more than 1"-1.5" tall. Need to get some hood pins as well as none of the original latch remains.

Need to practice with the TIG welder. Need to weld that fuel y-block to the arm so I can finish up the fuel lines as well as the two items on the intake tube. I'm still a little concerned about those two male fitting that fit into the quick connects. Once they go in there's no way to get them out. I also wish I had measured the OEM ones to see how they compared. Anyone out there have the specs on the OEM male fittings???

Under hood is pretty tidy,, still need to put in the ac dryer and the LFX PCM. Both should be on passenger side,,, there isn't a whole bunch of room though.

Now back to that transmission mount!

[venturaII]

Boy, that won't take much to clear the motor...ought to look nice.

[Swift]

So what are you using for the actual rubber motor mount? I saw some metallic pucks but didn't know if that was just mock up.

Looks like the weight isn't so much an issue on this setup but higher CG.
Have you measured the overall height of motor now with other oil pan?

Do you regret not going with a ls v8 of some kind>?

[gtpvette]

Originally Posted by venturaII

Boy, that won't take much to clear the motor...ought to look nice.

Lets hope. Totally digging the shape of this one. It's a Roush mustang hood. It'd need to turn around though. I'm also thinking about an opening towards the back half to bleed off some heat.

Originally Posted by Swift

So what are you using for the actual rubber motor mount? I saw some metallic pucks but didn't know if that was just mock up.

Looks like the weight isn't so much an issue on this setup but higher CG.
Have you measured the overall height of motor now with other oil pan?

Do you regret not going with a ls v8 of some kind>?

Motor mounts are from Trans-Dapt and yes there is a rubber biscuit under the metal caps.


https://www.summitracing.com/parts/trd-9314


Haven't measured the motor,, I'll try to remember next time it's out.


Well I think the LS would be more expensive,, I'm looking at right about $6000-$6500 total (assuming nothing goes off the rails). You would really have to watch your pennies to do an LS for that. But if I were to do it again... I'd certainly would reconsider it. The fact the mounts area available is a big plus and a time saver, also enough guys have done it already even a bigger plus.


I do enjoy the challenge and the fabrication and even with this motor, I'll have better power to weight than a SS Camaro. I think the exhaust on this motor will be a lot easier and there is a bit more room in the engine compartment. All that being said,,, I wont know until this one's done. If everything works without too many bugs, I suspect I'll like this one just fine.

[gtpvette]

Got the transmission bracket finished up. I went ahead and made a new set of the brackets that mount to the tunnel out of 3/16". Funny thing is they warped some as well. Brought out the really BFH,, that is the sledge and flattened them out. The rest was pretty straight forward. I marked where the brackets should go on the tunnel so I need to pull the motor and trans so I can drill the holes. After that is done, reinstall the motor and mark/drill the holes for the bolts between the bracket on the trans and the brackets bolted to the firewall.

I also ordered some louvers from an 1LE SS Camaro. I figured as I've cut a huge hole in my hood,,, might try to vent some heat. They look to be 12" x 22" but may end up being too tall,,, but I certainly like the idea. We'll see.

[gtpvette]

Took the day off today as I have a guy here tiling the patio. That said,, got the heat extractor/louvers in yesterday. Basically 12x22 but way too tall. I had to cut the grill out and the bottoms off to lower it an inch or so. I mocked it up after that and looks OK I guess. Still a littler taller than I may want as I could lower without the vents. Still have to deal with the water coming in as well but that shouldn't bee to tough.

Thoughts??

[DustinS]

I think that actually looks pretty good.