LS1 & T56 swap into a 98' V6 Firebird (5speed)
 

My cousin has a chance to get an LS1 with the T56 already on it for $2,000. Which is a good deal right? The mileage is unknown because the gauge cluster was gone. But it is from a 2001 SS that was totalled, so it is most likely under 50K. The engine was dropped from the car with everything. It has all of the front suspension up to the front wheels. All of the accessories are in place.

How much work is involved to do the swap? Can we just remove the v6 engine and tranny complete up to the shock towers and put the LS1 in there? Or will it not be an perfect fit? Would it be easier to just swap the engine and tranny instead of the whole front suspension?

Re: LS1 & T56 swap into a 98' V6 Firebird (5speed)
 

For that price for engine and tranny its worth it no matter what else you would need. I think it shoudl be a pretty straight forward swap since you already have the pedals and hydraulics set up since its a standard as it is. I'm not positive but I'm guessing it will just fit right in with little work.

Re: LS1 & T56 swap into a 98' V6 Firebird (5speed)
 

What year is his car?

there are other things to think about in the swap, off top of my head..

-I think fuel lines
-driveshaft(definitley if he still has a 2-piece pos)
-v6s still have a 10-bolt but no lsd, and non-4 wheel disc depending on teh year
-gonna need computer, and guage cluster...


Thats a good deal on the engine/tranny. Go for it, but also check here, lots of people have done the swap.

http://web.camaross.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150164

Re: LS1 & T56 swap into a 98' V6 Firebird (5speed)
 

I would install it with the front suspension assembly as well. The brakes, shocks, springs and roll bar are all better on the SS. If you can, I would also try to get the rear springs and shocks off the SS.

Make sure you get the computer and all of the engine compartment harness.

Re: LS1 & T56 swap into a 98' V6 Firebird (5speed)
 

yep thats true...

I just noticed its a 98...

newer v6s have 28/15 sway bars while v8s have 30/19 sway bars.

Ther spring rates are different as well and the front will squat a little with the added weight fo a motor but not too bad.

If your going to customize a car this much I suggest some lowering springs and a set of sways anyways.

Re: LS1 & T56 swap into a 98' V6 Firebird (5speed)
 

I am going to show the car and engine/tranny to a local shop here that will do the swap if it goes thru. That way I can get an estimate on labor and parts that will be needed.

Re: LS1 & T56 swap into a 98' V6 Firebird (5speed)
 

Fuel lines are different. You need a '99+ gas tank and lines, or you need to get a '97 Vette fuel rail and keep your tank and lines. (the 99+ tank is plastic and saves 18 lbs, and will probably includes a v8 pump...)

Evap is different on 98 vs 99+. You may need some evap parts too, if you do the 99+ tank.

You definitely should do the entire front suspension. The k-member is different and the v8 won't bolt up to your v6 kmember. Steering rack is slightly different too.

You'll need the gauge cluster off the '01. (tach, water temp, speedo are different)

You'll have to feed +12v to the INJ2 feed on the pcm. You only have INJ1 in your v6 underhood harness...

Front and rear brakes are the same between the 98+ cars. Rear springs are the same. Shocks and sway bars are different. Tranny crossmember is different. Get those parts off the donor car.

Get the y-pipe and exhaust. (or plan to do headers and matching y-pipe) But you still need a bigger exhaust - unless it was already upgraded.

Bigger radiator off the donor.
Different heater hoses (the metal lines plus the rubber lines) off the donor. NOTE- put this on while the engine is out of the way...
Engine wiring harness.