3.8TransAM

Was thinking lsx(something swap...............

Now I can get my hands on a turbo manifold again......

Decisions, decisions.

Help me make my choice.

Boost is a wonderfully addictive thing. Makes thoughts of sill LS swaps leave your head.

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

Turbo what? A 3.8 build? Or a turbo tpi build?

xpndbl3

iTrader: (5)

Boost a ls motor. I'd never go back to a gen 1 build just off ease of power out of factory heads and efi control.

novadk13

Do the Ls you know you want to, or if your bored this coming winter Ill hopefully have all the stuff for my ls project

lunati397

not if you are doing a turbo LS3

KrisW

iTrader: (5)

Build another Turbo Buick, please!

Its taking me forever to gather all the parts for my own Turbo Buick swap (stupid economy) so I could live vicariously through you if you did it!

You DID ask for suggestions...

novadk13

If it helps any I started removing stuff on my 5.3

3.8TransAM

Turbo TPI route, unless something else fell in my lap for cheap

I don't doubt it one bit. Been a LS fan since day one, still kind of a pain in the *** to find engine/trans/harness/accessories in one fell swoop for a good price. Everyone says everything till u get there..... or backs out of the deal god knows how many times. EFI control is arguable, in the end sequential/coil on plug and 20-30 years does wonders, but u can still get some stupid power out of the crap our cars came with.


which requires more cash up front because everything is getting gutted, see post about finding everything in one shot

Been there done that, still need a trans to sort it all out. Need more :-)

Only if it has everything for a full swap and your selling it

formula forever

turbo tpi sounds cool. Ive seen a few people build these. You could also Throw in the all to common LS1 for cheap money. But that swap seems overused. BTW did you ever sell those firehawk wheels?

3.8TransAM

I'm stuck in the dollar vs. power vs. what I want loop.

Still got the Hawk rims. Interested?

lunati397

gm high tech made over 600 with a 5.3 and cheap ebay kit

formula forever

Getting layed off in 3 weeks. My car spending budget just got alot smaller. Back to the unemployment line after 7 years.

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

That really sucks. It was about 7 years ago now that I went through that. I FINALLY climbed out of the credit hole that I built up due to some bills this year, which enabled me to buy the Focus ST.

novadk13

theres a complete 5.3 setup on Craigslist in michigan for $1500, or cheaper?

xpndbl3

iTrader: (5)

5.3L setups are $500-700 tops for complete motor, intake to pan. 6.0L go for $1000-2500 whether it's lq4, lq9 or ls2.

novadk13

The 1500 was with all wiring, ecu and trans not sure if that's any good? paid 900 for my complete set up took a long time to find that since I don't know any good junkyards.

3.8TransAM

Dohhhhh, been there done that man.........................

We've had these conversations Bill. Been there done that, but you always keep on moving.

Shooting for complete drivetrain since I can make it all work with most variations. Want harness, puter, trans, engine, accessories. With a little planning it could be running in a weekend. My work schedule has been horrendous as of late as in 72 hrs or more. I don't have time to piece together something sadly unless it fell in my lap.




All that said, I think I am joining the dark side and going LS1,2,3,X,A,B,C.
Realized while fueling up the beater at the pump, that anything I could do to gain mileage would work in my favor since I like building stuff to drive and rag on. LS(whatever) wins that one and factoring that with rebuilding a "conventional" small block costs as much as a LS(whatever) swap, I might as well just get over it............................

Course I will get bored and go seeking boost again lol

Then again with two kids the allure of another G body is eating at me pretty bad and truck engines fit in them lol

PS the "new" 5.3 is rated at 355 hp, maybe I can find one of those when the new trucks come out lol

Jennyismetal

Get. 5.3 out of a truck and you can build up to a ls engine. That's what I do.

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

I LOVE G-bodies. A Monte SS with a cam'd 5.3(aluminum 5.3 that is) and a T56 would be a great fun DD and family hauler when needed. Might wanna put an 8.5 in the rear. Big brakes and lower it with some 17" N90s from Year One and you'd have achieved perfection.

You could also do a similar vintage Buick Regal with 5.3/T56 combo, lowered on a set of 17" magnums from Year One. Make it a bucket seat T-top car and you'd be goin' fast with class.

You could also rock a similar vintage 442 or Hurst/Olds, problem is that everyone thinks they are worth a mint in good condition. I hate automatics but have an unhealthy lust after lightning rods shifters...

If you get bored drop a maggie on top of the 5.3 and put a 4.30 gear in the 8.5.

3.8TransAM

Heheheh Nice seeing you today again man, we got to work out a way to hang out a day or two.

If I go G-body(there will be another one at some point period this I command) it would be Monte SS or more likely a 87/88 Cutlass 442..... Even have a GN drivetrain to dump in and run lol. G body, buckets, back seat a real trunk..............

Actually poking some sticks at 94-96 Caprices right now for a daily driver. 4.3 are rated within 1 mpg of my stupid crappy Skylark(nothing out there I remotely like for new cars). I figure wen I get bored which will happen. A 5.3 swap will happen and then with all that room I'm pretty damn sure it would see boost as well lol

3.8TransAM

Ok, so like 2 people here know so shut up.

Can anyone else guess what followed me home today/nite?

If u guess correctly it gets u one free kick in the junk by me personally

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

I'm going to guess a Fox body 5.0 mustang so I DON'T get kicked in the nuts.

novadk13

You picked up a turbo coupe with the 2.3 right?

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

no he just bought a 2.3 and a thunderbird, he's planning an NA 2.3 swap on a fox era tbird LOL

3.8TransAM

If you both read between the lines, Ford cracks also get you free kicks in the junk

Can't believe no one has taken a stab at this yet.

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

Ok, I'll switch to Mopar then. How about a 86 Rampage 2.2?

SOLOMOTORSPORTS

novadk13

Nah, he just picked up a sweet 89 civic hatch with a b18 swap hes planning on turbo charging.

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

Thats a sucky plan. I'd K24 swap that bish and rock it NA...

chazman

iTrader: (4)

I'm in a G-body phase myself, Jeremy.

Regarding those Lightning Rods, drive one of those once - and your lust for them is cured.

Camarothatcould

iTrader: (3)

so0o0o0o...

novadk13

Apparently the suspense killed him.

RockinGTA89

I thought he got a dodge omni with the "three on the tree" stick shift...

3.8TransAM

Thanks guys I love feeling so highly thought of

Complete 98 Ls1 from a Trans AM sitting on the floor in the garage. Engine/trans/harness/accessories.

Trying to clear some free time and it will happen.



Also did get a 99 SL2 Home Coming Edition with 64k on it for another beater upgrade. Things weigh 2400# or so. I have always entertained the thought of making one rear wheel drive................................

xpndbl3

iTrader: (5)

just rewire that thing for the 99+ computer harness and all that yadda yadda


and don't worry about being highly thought about, I got a lot of people that think I don't know a thing.


Luckily they don't go as fast as me, so their opinion isn't valid.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

lol

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

Nikole

novadk13

Let me know when your doing the swap I might be able to give a hand if needed, at least a second set of hands.

3.8TransAM

Funny Dave.

If anyone I worked with had a work ethic I might get it done lol

Until then ...........................