who has converted their front end from LT1 to LS1? help me please
11-24-2002, 09:50 PM
#1
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Location: El Paso, Texas
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who has converted their front end from LT1 to LS1? help me please
I know there are a few people that have sucessfully done this... Ive seen the before and after shots but its been a while.
Ive decided that this is something I want to do but I need to know exactly what I need and where the best place to get it would be... and if anyone had a tutorial that would be great!
I know I need these:
98-02 left and right fenders
98-02 front nose
98-02 head light assembly***I really need help finding these at an affordable price**
98-02 hood
but what else do I need? And does anyone have the part numbers to these products? Or know where to get them at a good price?
Ive decided that this is something I want to do but I need to know exactly what I need and where the best place to get it would be... and if anyone had a tutorial that would be great!
I know I need these:
98-02 left and right fenders
98-02 front nose
98-02 head light assembly***I really need help finding these at an affordable price**
98-02 hood
but what else do I need? And does anyone have the part numbers to these products? Or know where to get them at a good price?
11-25-2002, 11:54 AM
#2
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Well, Im overwelmed by the replies that Ive gotten so far 
...
but seriously. Does anyone know anything about this? I need to know if it is just a straight bolt on or if there is any modding involved. Please, someone give me a reply. The sooner the better.
...but seriously. Does anyone know anything about this? I need to know if it is just a straight bolt on or if there is any modding involved. Please, someone give me a reply. The sooner the better.
11-25-2002, 12:23 PM
#4
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Originally posted by ReznorZ28
Well, Im overwelmed by the replies that Ive gotten so far ...
.
Well, Im overwelmed by the replies that Ive gotten so far
....
11-25-2002, 12:40 PM
#5
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Originally posted by 90 Z28SS
Because if you did a search , it would answer every question you had . There have been alot of threads on this with lots of VERY useful info . Not trying to be a **** here man , but people don't wanna answer these same questions over and over and over again . Good luck with your conversion
Because if you did a search , it would answer every question you had . There have been alot of threads on this with lots of VERY useful info . Not trying to be a **** here man , but people don't wanna answer these same questions over and over and over again . Good luck with your conversion
11-25-2002, 01:00 PM
#6
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Other then you have to add a few holes for screws and the wiring harnesses arent quite the same for the headlights (but no big deal at all) it's a bolt on.
The big thing was, doing this swap, then having it painted, may run $1500 to have it done WELL. And at that point, it's really almost worthwhile to spend another $500 and buy a used Ls1 vs the Lt1... but if you prefer the Lt1, then sure. But it really is take one part off put one part on.
The big thing was, doing this swap, then having it painted, may run $1500 to have it done WELL. And at that point, it's really almost worthwhile to spend another $500 and buy a used Ls1 vs the Lt1... but if you prefer the Lt1, then sure. But it really is take one part off put one part on.
11-25-2002, 02:19 PM
#7
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Originally posted by Geoff Chadwick
Other then you have to add a few holes for screws and the wiring harnesses arent quite the same for the headlights (but no big deal at all) it's a bolt on.
The big thing was, doing this swap, then having it painted, may run $1500 to have it done WELL. And at that point, it's really almost worthwhile to spend another $500 and buy a used Ls1 vs the Lt1... but if you prefer the Lt1, then sure. But it really is take one part off put one part on.
Other then you have to add a few holes for screws and the wiring harnesses arent quite the same for the headlights (but no big deal at all) it's a bolt on.
The big thing was, doing this swap, then having it painted, may run $1500 to have it done WELL. And at that point, it's really almost worthwhile to spend another $500 and buy a used Ls1 vs the Lt1... but if you prefer the Lt1, then sure. But it really is take one part off put one part on.
and has anyone done this before that could walk me through some of it? because Im going to do pretty much everything myself, except for painting it. Thanks again for your help
11-25-2002, 03:21 PM
#8
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Location: Overland Park, KS
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I've actually seen a front clip conversion kit from some Japanese company. Looks pretty good, too. The same company that makes the GFX kit everyone raves over makes an LS1 conversion front end clip for LT1 cars, so all you need to do is swap front ends, rather than front end, fenders, hood, etc.
11-25-2002, 03:37 PM
#9
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Originally posted by sahlomonic
I've actually seen a front clip conversion kit from some Japanese company. Looks pretty good, too. The same company that makes the GFX kit everyone raves over makes an LS1 conversion front end clip for LT1 cars, so all you need to do is swap front ends, rather than front end, fenders, hood, etc.
I've actually seen a front clip conversion kit from some Japanese company. Looks pretty good, too. The same company that makes the GFX kit everyone raves over makes an LS1 conversion front end clip for LT1 cars, so all you need to do is swap front ends, rather than front end, fenders, hood, etc.
the point being I need to change it all out. I think all the damage is external, as the onlything that appears to be damaged is the radiator and the bar that goes accross it... And Im not entirely sure what Im doing... so if anyone has done anything like this before. Please let me know
thanks
11-25-2002, 04:24 PM
#10
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1,000 even for all the parts sound really fair...i have thought of this conversion too..basically you just need the external parts, and you will need to trim your plastic impact part of the front bumper shorter for the new plastic covering on it...everything else just bolts right up, then paint it all up...and you should be ready to go
by the way, the headlights from what i understand are the hardest to find...so everything for a grand plus 500 or so for a SS hood seems like a really good deal.
go for it
steve
by the way, the headlights from what i understand are the hardest to find...so everything for a grand plus 500 or so for a SS hood seems like a really good deal.
go for it
steve
11-26-2002, 12:22 AM
#12
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Like everyone said said this is almost a direct bolt in . Couple of helpful things that people assume are the same parts but arent . From the car you get your parts from , make sure they give you the front inner mounting brackets for the fenders . It would also be nice if you had the impact bar and foam . I dunno about the camaros , but on my TA the impact bar from the newer style was slightly different . I'm pretty sure your all set to go on the lights , as far as connectors go . Im assuming here , that the LT1 headlight connectors will plug right into 9005/9006 bulbs .....looks like anyways . Only thing you may have to do is extend the fog light wires , but I dont think you will . Parking light harness will be the same as what u have now . All plastic splash guards under the car and the air dam are the exact same between the 2 styles . Once you start doing this youll breeze thru it . Just keep all your bolts in order when your removing the old LT1 parts , hehe . The hardest part is aiming the headlights right . Per headlight , 1 existing bolt hole in the core support works , you have to drill the other hole.
11-26-2002, 12:55 AM
#13
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Originally posted by 90 Z28SS
Like everyone said said this is almost a direct bolt in . Couple of helpful things that people assume are the same parts but arent . From the car you get your parts from , make sure they give you the front inner mounting brackets for the fenders . It would also be nice if you had the impact bar and foam . I dunno about the camaros , but on my TA the impact bar from the newer style was slightly different . I'm pretty sure your all set to go on the lights , as far as connectors go . Im assuming here , that the LT1 headlight connectors will plug right into 9005/9006 bulbs .....looks like anyways . Only thing you may have to do is extend the fog light wires , but I dont think you will . Parking light harness will be the same as what u have now . All plastic splash guards under the car and the air dam are the exact same between the 2 styles . Once you start doing this youll breeze thru it . Just keep all your bolts in order when your removing the old LT1 parts , hehe . The hardest part is aiming the headlights right . Per headlight , 1 existing bolt hole in the core support works , you have to drill the other hole.
Like everyone said said this is almost a direct bolt in . Couple of helpful things that people assume are the same parts but arent . From the car you get your parts from , make sure they give you the front inner mounting brackets for the fenders . It would also be nice if you had the impact bar and foam . I dunno about the camaros , but on my TA the impact bar from the newer style was slightly different . I'm pretty sure your all set to go on the lights , as far as connectors go . Im assuming here , that the LT1 headlight connectors will plug right into 9005/9006 bulbs .....looks like anyways . Only thing you may have to do is extend the fog light wires , but I dont think you will . Parking light harness will be the same as what u have now . All plastic splash guards under the car and the air dam are the exact same between the 2 styles . Once you start doing this youll breeze thru it . Just keep all your bolts in order when your removing the old LT1 parts , hehe . The hardest part is aiming the headlights right . Per headlight , 1 existing bolt hole in the core support works , you have to drill the other hole.
they are most helpful and putting my mind at ease at me taking on this project myself(because I dont want to pay a rediculous amount of money for a bodyshop to do if I can easily do it myself).. anything else you can tell me would be great too.... does anyone have any kind of parts layout they can send me via email(like the ones they bring up on the computer at the chevy parts counter,the ones that show a breakdown of how everything is put together?)
if I can get my brothers digital cam, maybe Ill make a tutorial on how to do it.... thats if I can pull it off myself
11-26-2002, 09:43 AM
#14
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Location: Missouri
Posts: 595
This swap is a walk in the park. The 93-97 headlight harness can be retained; the only plug different is the driving light plug. You can just convert over to the other bulb and plug it in or you can just plug the plug in but the catch will not engage.
The only stuff you will have to do is shim the front bumper support about 1/4". The radiator support on an LS1 car is about 1/4" forward of the LT1 support which is why the shims are required. I removed my clip and installed a 98-up in about 5 hours; I have nearly no body experience, it's that easy.
Go look at the pics on my site. http://www.aldersgarage.20m.com then click on project budget Z. Any questions, feel free to e mail me.
Ryan
The only stuff you will have to do is shim the front bumper support about 1/4". The radiator support on an LS1 car is about 1/4" forward of the LT1 support which is why the shims are required. I removed my clip and installed a 98-up in about 5 hours; I have nearly no body experience, it's that easy.
Go look at the pics on my site. http://www.aldersgarage.20m.com then click on project budget Z. Any questions, feel free to e mail me.
Ryan
