What would be the most affordable way to install a running LS1 into something as crude as a mid engine Dune Buggy Frame? Many companies are building cars like this for customers but it's the equivalent of us having LPE, Callaway, or Henessey build a car for us from the ground up...$$$$$ Would an LS1 crate be the best bet or are vendors offering much stouter packages for the same jack? SLP's new 402 setup a better offer? Computer + Harness offerings. Aftermarket avaliability on mail order tuning? If anyone wants to chime in on what will be a scary sand ride, it would be helpful. Thanks!

 

i'd think you would do better with a simple small block stroker.

better low end grunt, cheaper, and less electronics to get filled with sand.


although the m6 with rediculously steep gears would make it lots of fun too...

 

Denny,
I would think that a salvage motor/PCM and harness would be the way to start. It will have plenty of power for a buggy and the driveability would be awesome. Heads, cam and other goodies could follow later.
Pcm could be mailed out or just take the buggy to Livernois and get all the codes deleted for the missing emissions stuff.

 

Thanks Al! We found a few donors a few miles from our shop.

 

Last I knew Quentin had a stack of ls1 and ls6 motors around there. Some 6.0 motors too...

 

Where in MI are you? I have HP Tuners for '00 F-body cars and might be able to help you out.

Check out the Conversions & Hybrids section of LS1Tech.com. There was a guy who did an LS1 Sandrail and posted a lot of info on his swap. A few searches could answer many of your questions.

 

If you really want to put an LS1 into a dune buggy I would switch it over to a carb setup, there is a carb intake manifold setup now available for the LS1. That way you could eliminate the PCM, fuel injection, most of the sensors, fuel pump etc. Plus I imagine sand would be pretty tough on a lot of those sensitive components. Popular Hot Rod magazine had a big writeup on this conversion last month, they dyno tested an LS1 with the stock intake setup and then with the carb conversion. They both dynoed pretty similar numbers.

 

All I know that would be a sick dune buggy crazy fast!!!