GM LFX 3.6L V6 Motor Swap

[gtpvette]

Weather was crappy and really blowing this weekend,,, so I got some work done as it was too rough to take the family out in the boat. I did get the shifter installed and it works through the gears. The position is just like the OEM shifter maybe a tad taller. I need to get a new handle on it and see where it ends up. Real happy with it overall.

I also glassed up a possible hood scoop,,, from a looks perspective a bit too wide so I'll work on a narrower one next.

[gtpvette]

One more thing about the hood scoop. I glassed it up in place to make sure it had the right shape. I also covered the foam in a high gloss super smooth AC tape. The good news in using this tape is the glass didn't stick to it or the foam at all,,, just peeled right off. I'm going to remove the tape, reshape the foam I used already making it a bit more narrow, recover with tape then glass the new shape. From there I'll see which one I like best and finish it. I ordered a bunch of 24 and 36 grit sanding belts which should be here Friday. I don't want to be sanding the fiberglass by hand.

[gtpvette]

Worked on a narrower and lower scoop this weekend. I like it overall,,, but will be a ton of work to complete. I need to lay some high build cloth and mat so I can shape better. Ordering more supplies and we'll go from there.

I need to get back to mechanical/electrical stuff and get this bitch running. Once the driveshaft comes in I may take a week off work and get some stuff done.

[gtpvette]

More work on the hood scoop. Three additional layers of 1.5oz mat,, shape is pretty good at this point and seems to be strong enough. I still need to do a few things. The outside will need dent remover (bondo), then epoxy sealer and the underside will need some buildup to allow for some recessed screws. The plan is for Riv-nuts in the hood and recessed screws in the scoop. I ordered 6 different samples of red vinyl to wrap the scoop in,,,,,, don't want to bother with paint at this point. I did manage to scrape the hood in 2-4 places so it should be painted at some point,,,, just not now,, will touch it up in the short term.

Worked on a PCM mount,,, it'll be just below the fuse box. I've got the plate mounted to the OEM mount,, still need to weld a mount point to it and to the frame rail right below the fuse box. Got side tracked watching F1 and NASCAR today so didn't get a whole lot done.

[gtpvette]

Not too much to report. Pulled motor and trans so I can do a few things. Weld in the PCM mount (almost done ran out of MIG wire), remount clutch master, paint transmission mounts. Need to paint transmission tunnel and a few spots in the engine bay. Wish I had a better paint match though.

I've also somehow lost the fuse box lid. This is bad for a couple of
reasons. One don't want any water getting into it and two, I had marked the circuits I had pulled wires from. I'll have to retrace these based on cut wires in the harness.


Also got in the vinyl samples for the scoop. Not one is a match,,, or hell even close. Guess it'll be flat black or carbon wrap for now.

Hoping my driveshaft will ship next week.

[Irace86.2.0]

Originally Posted by gtpvette

Not too much to report. Pulled motor and trans so I can do a few things. Weld in the PCM mount (almost done ran out of MIG wire), remount clutch master, paint transmission mounts. Need to paint transmission tunnel and a few spots in the engine bay. Wish I had a better paint match though.

I've also somehow lost the fuse box lid. This is bad for a couple of
reasons. One don't want any water getting into it and two, I had marked the circuits I had pulled wires from. I'll have to retrace these based on cut wires in the harness.


Also got in the vinyl samples for the scoop. Not one is a match,,, or hell even close. Guess it'll be flat black or carbon wrap for now.

Hoping my driveshaft will ship next week.

They make paint matched spray cans. Just saying.

[Irace86.2.0]

Originally Posted by Irace86.2.0

They make paint matched spray cans. Just saying.

http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/suba...E#.WtV0DSJlCEc

Scratch wizard too

[gtpvette]

Originally Posted by Irace86.2.0

They make paint matched spray cans. Just saying.

I got some from :


http://www.automotivetouchup.com/index.htm


frankly it's not that close of a match,, not to mention the better part of $50 for primer, paint and clear. I may just go get some real automotive paint.

[Irace86.2.0]

Originally Posted by gtpvette

I got some from :


http://www.automotivetouchup.com/index.htm


frankly it's not that close of a match,, not to mention the better part of $50 for primer, paint and clear. I may just go get some real automotive paint.

The black I bought was spot on but that was probably easier.

[venturaII]

Here's your hood solution...haha:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...0&postcount=14


Personally, I'd continue trying to make your bulge/scoop solution work, but this looks better than I thought it would.

[gtpvette]

Originally Posted by venturaII

Here's your hood solution...haha:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...0&postcount=14


Personally, I'd continue trying to make your bulge/scoop solution work, but this looks better than I thought it would.

Dam,,, that will certainly let the heat out! In fairness I think that was before he built his scoop,,, but yea that's old school hot rod stuff. I'll continue work on mine.

That said,,, I'm working on lots of little things so things are progressing but slow. You'd think they'd happen faster but they dont. I'll be 60 this year and this is my first motor swap I've done. It seems like it would be so easy but the details are a killer,,, even for an old guy like me. Props to all of you young guys that have done it already!!!

[gtpvette]

Work continues,,, but slow. Painting is done for the engine compartment, tunnel, brackets and mounts. The Red (firestorm) color isn’t perfect but this will be a driver not a show car LOL. I will say I like the way the higher end paint goes on.

The new clutch clevis didn’t work out so back to the old one and the clutch MC is mounted for last time. Plumbed to remote fill,,, need to get a remote bleeder for the slave still.

Camaro PCM is mounted as well as the Current Performance fuse box (just in front of the OEM Fuse box). Had to make brackets for both,,, what a pain. Colin also sent me his interface so wiring is right around the corner. I think I’ll have to pull the dash to get to the old motor wires pulled out.

Still no word on the driveshaft,,, should be built by now. I reached out to the Drive Shaft Shop on Friday but no response. I want to take the week after next off to work on the car,,, but need the driveshaft so I can finish the exhaust. May have to push this a few weeks.

Ordered a new clutch/flywheel assembly. I did get one with the transmission but figured I might as well put a new one in as I don’t want to have to replace it down the road. Also waiting on a crankshaft pulley install tool. I need these two items and install pan with RTV sealant then motor can go in for good.

Ordered all the AC line stuff from Cold Hose. I also found a block that will bolt to the compressor with male O-ring fittings on it,,, it’s made for an LS2 compressor but looks like it’ll work. This way I don’t have to rework OEM lines out of the compressor. I also cut the two lines out of the expansion valve/firewall and sent them to Cold Hose so they can weld on a 90 degree crimp on end.

[ILLSMOQ]

So when do you think you’ll be firing it up?

[gtpvette]

Originally Posted by ILLSMOQ

So when do you think you’ll be firing it up?

I wish I knew. I was looking over dates,,, I pulled the original motor the tail end of July last year. Would of never thought it take this long. I suspect if I can get it done by July this year I'll be doing good.