GM LFX 3.6L V6 Motor Swap

[Summerwolf]

Originally Posted by gtpvette

Camaro comes with duals,, starts as 2.5" reduces to 2.25". It has an H pipe, resonators then dual mufflers. LFX Camaro guys seem to like to replace H pipe and resonators with Magnaflow resonated x-pipe 11386, then either delete the mufflers or change them out. They sometime up the 2.25" to 2.5" as well.

Sounds about right. Unfortunately there probably aren't a lot of Y pipe setups you could listen to then using that motor.

Originally Posted by venturaII

Not by my experience when using identical muffler brand/type, but YMMV. Most people compare Brand X single system against Brand Y dual system and they conclude the difference in sound is the configuration, not the muffler.

Not sure what you're listening to.

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by Summerwolf

Not sure what you're listening to.

I worked for a number of years at a custom muffler shop, and have listened to quite a few different configurations.

[Summerwolf]

Originally Posted by venturaII

I worked for a number of years at a custom muffler shop, and have listened to quite a few different configurations.

So do you believe X and H pipes sound the same?


Interesting that you had back to back vehicles with duals and single setups and the exact same muffler types at times in a custom shop like that.

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by Summerwolf

Interesting that you had back to back vehicles with duals and single setups and the exact same muffler types at times in a custom shop like that.

That was kind of my point...we did a lot of Pro Street style hotrods (or Pro Slow...lol) and tried a lot of different configurations (at the customers' request and their dime) on individual cars, looking for the best combo of sound and packaging. Personally, I don't care for the sound of TRUE dual systems...they need some crossover to have a fuller sound to me..

[Summerwolf]

Originally Posted by venturaII

That was kind of my point...we did a lot of Pro Street style hotrods (or Pro Slow...lol) and tried a lot of different configurations (at the customers' request and their dime) on individual cars, looking for the best combo of sound and packaging.

IDK.... there are pretty obvious tone differences between no crossover, X pipes, H pipes, Y pipes to single. LS street cars are a great comparison community.



[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCio5K0WfHU"]Straight Exhaust vs. H-Pipe vs. X-Pipe! - Engine Masters Ep. 22 - YouTube[/ame]


I know that doesn't have a single pipe after a Y, but there are definitely different noises being made between crossovers.


In this vehicle, honestly, packaging seems to be the biggest challenge. Probably why a Y pipe to single would be the easiest for this scenario.

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by Summerwolf

In this vehicle, honestly, packaging seems to be the biggest challenge. Probably why a Y pipe to single would be the easiest for this scenario.

Hence my original suggestion.

[Summerwolf]

Originally Posted by venturaII

Hence my original suggestion.

.....mine as well.

[gtpvette]

I'll start with, this thing is fighting me every step of the way. Once all of the tunnel braces were out, I tried to install the motor and transmission in together. No go. Couldn't get it back far enough to clear the steering rack,, it needed another inch or so. The reason is the stuff hanging off the back of the motor. The HP pumps and water outlets just wont let it go back far enough to clear.

I thought about trying to stab the transmission from underneath but rethought that as the car isn't on a lift and it be a complete PITA. I ended up pulling the steering rack which was easy enough then it went right in.

I've got it positioned pretty well but the transmission wants to sit high. When setting the transmission yoke at 1.5 degrees down it leaves next to no room for the shifter. Tilting it down to 3 - 3.5 degrees down gives me the room but I'm afraid of vibration due to the difference in transmission and pinion angle.

I'm wondering for the LSx/T56 guys using vendor mounts,,, anyone measure the transmission angle??? Is a 2-2.5 degree difference going to introduce vibration??

I guess there are still a couple of options to line things up. Tilting the pinion up a bit or cutting the top of the tunnel around the shifter to make a bit more room. I'll take a look at both this week.

[sam69]

Any progress on this been a while since an update

[gtpvette]

Last month has been busy with the holidays. A few updates though. I’ve been in touch with the folks from the Drive Shaft Shop regarding my issues with the U-joint alignments. They’ve been really helpful. The consensus seems to be if the angles don’t line up,, a CV joint can fix any vibration issues. The plan is to have a CV-Joint at the transmission and a U-Joint at the Diff. Price is around $750 give or take a little. As both ends of my driveline are fixed yoke so the CV works out well regardless as it slips in and out.

I will need to remove the shifter mount on the top of the tunnel to make room for the CV as it’s big. Also when tilting the transmission down things get real tight at the clutch master again and there isn’t room to push things forward.

With that I did round 2 modifying the oil pan. Basically I cut off the section that only bolts to the transmission. The good news is I can put the motor and transmission in with the steering rack in place. It also gives me more wiggle room is positioning the motor. I still want a little more room and I’m looking at recessing the clutch master another ¾”-1”. I’m trying really hard to get the mounts out for final welding this week ,,, my plan is to bribe them with pizza to get me to the front of the queue so I can get them back by the weekend. We’ll see. Once motor mounts are done, I'll finish up the trans mount.

I’ve also gotten sidetracked looking at radiator options. I really wanted an upper left intake, lower right output as it’s what the motor wants and would be a cleaner install as far as the pipes/hoses go as they wouldn’t have to crisscross in front of the motor. Griffin sells one that is 15.5” tall (a little taller than stock) and in varying widths, 22”, 24”, 26” and 27.5”. They have a couple of options on tube sizes as well. Twin 1” or twin 1.25”. I opted for a 22” wide twin 1.25” tube one (should of gotten the 24” maybe even the 26” wide),,, core ends up about 2.75” thick. They say it’s good to 400HP. There is plenty of room on the right side next to the radiator for an air intake system. Bottom mounts were easy just weld to the lower crossbar,,, those top ones not so much. The existing removable cross bar at the top is way to flexible although I did make some mounts… it really needs a different mount. With the radiator shoved all the way to the left,,, the left side mount isn’t too bad. The right side of the radiator has a cap and then a 6” gap over to the chassis. This is the issue. Not sure what I’m going to do yet,,, need to chew on it a bit more. May still end up going with an aftermarket FRS radiator ( I.E. Mishimoto, Fullblown, Skunk etc) although I like this idea better.

Happy holidays!!!

[gtpvette]

Got the motor mounts back in one day,,,, amazing what a couple of large pizzas will do!!!!

I also recessed the clutch master another 3/4". I basically split it in two and welded in a section of 3/4" steel. I also re-drilled the hole on the clevis moving it 3/4" closer to the master cylinder. The pin sort of fits but I really need a longer one now. This is as far as it can go for a couple of reasons,,, but should work OK now.

When trying to install the clutch master, with the added length it was hitting the OEM gas pedal. I had to pull it to get the clutch master in. I started looking at the differences between the FRS and CAMARO gas pedal. I think I can make a pedestal mount using the original FRS mount points to get the Camaro pedal positioned correctly. I cut the bottom off the Camaro pedal as well. It'll need to be spaced away and 2" to the right to get the pedal in the correct position.

The pictures of the motor are with the mounts installed and the trans pointing down about 1.7. I think I'll need to cut the top of the tunnel to make room for the shifter rod,,, shouldn't be too big of a deal. I hope.

[Zer0]

Looks like some solid progress. Mounts look nice.

[gtpvette]

Holidays are getting in the way of time for the Hot Rod. I did get the pedestal made for the gas pedal Saturday. The top of the Camaro pedal was still hitting the clutch master cylinder so had to cut off a bit,, drilled a new hole to bolt in on with. Should work OK as the position is just like stock. Will get started on the trans mount tomorrow,,,,,,,,, I hope.

[Ultramaroon]

Sweet adapter.