[Low&slow]

So lately I have been interested in a V8 swap after finding out my truck (08 LS extended cab 2.9L 5spd) has zero power when it comes to merging or trying to pass. I have been seeing the LS is the way to go. My question is what have people found out with keeping their 5spd or just keeping it manual. (Right now the plan would be to keep the LS completely stock as its already almost double the power).

On to the real question. On my 85 Toyota pickup I swapped in a 1UZ V8 out of a Lexus SC400. The 1UZ is the Toyota version of the Chevy 350 or the Ford 302. Now the way I swapped the motor in was slightly different then normal. The 1UZ was mounted to the front crossmember, not the frame. So what I ended up doing was cutting the front frame completely out and building a new frame to match the SC400. The front crossmember was bolted onto the SC, so by building a new frame I made a "bolt in" 1UZ swap. The bonus to doing that was I now had an independent front suspension with coil overs. I did the same thing with the rear end. I now had IFS and IRS on a 1985 pickup. (It was pretty much a newer Toyota Supra pickup. With a 300HP V8).

Does anyone know if the GTO, camaro or Corvette have similar front and rear crossmembers? Would I be able to "unbolt" the front and rear end of the corvette and "bolt" it under our truck?

I'll post pictures of my Toyota after I get home.

 

[ZMBKLN]

Not to discourage you... But you're gonna need to do ALOT more research based on what I've read of your post...

There's no "crossmember" perse in the trucks... The motor mounts bolt to the frame directly...

A frame that no modern "Car" will have... They are all unibody construction.

The swap requires a laundry list of parts... And time... But it's actually one of the easier LS Swap projects out there...

Take a read around the Engine Swaps forum... Everything you need is there... And if you have specific questions... There are people to answer them...

But right now you're in such a basic stage of the research that you REALLY need to just do some reading first.

You'll also find that until you've done some of that research... Alot of guys around here that DO have the knowledge will be reluctant to help because we have SOOOOO many people come in here talking about LS Swapping who never get past the first few questions...

Good luck on your build though! And I hope you're one of the few who finishes!

 

[FrEaK_aCcIdEnT]

I just want to find a L92 short block and swap all my bits over to it. Drop it back in and tune. Lol. Should be easy enough right? Lol

 

[LLV.MA5]

Hey there neighbor! :welcome2:

That Toyota sounds really cool. Please post some pictures if you could. Also, have you considered a turbo for your 4 cyl? You can double your power and keep your gas mileage with a turbo. V8s are awesome in their own way though. Can't beat the sound.

Not really sure where you're going with the suspension. Sounds like a big project, but it would be cool to see a Colorado with irs!

 

[1BADI5]

Well if you go with an LS, its pretty straight forward getting it in the truck. From 2009 to 2012 the Colorado/Canyons offered a 5.3 LS based motor.....so it can be pretty easy with using some OEM parts.

1) use a OEM 5.3 oil pan - solves your cross member clearance issue right there
2) use either OEM 5.3 exhaust manifolds or Doug Thorley long tube headers - with either of those options the exhaust clears everything IE; steering/frame/firewall/
3) use CPWire motor mounts - direct bolt in(drama free)

Now for the transmission, I'd recommend going with a T56. Its much stronger and the goof new is the only thing you'd have to change is the transmission cross member; the wiring and plugs for the VSS and reverse lights are plug and play.

You will need to get the driveshaft shortened because the T56 transmission is longer

There are some thought to ponder for you

 

[1BADI5]

Oh and the most expensive part outside of the motor and transmission will be the wiring harness. This is where CPWire will come in again......they do great work.

 

[Low&slow]

Not to discourage you... But you're gonna need to do ALOT more research based on what I've read of your post...

There's no "crossmember" perse in the trucks... The motor mounts bolt to the frame directly...

A frame that no modern "Car" will have... They are all unibody construction.

The swap requires a laundry list of parts... And time... But it's actually one of the easier LS Swap projects out there...

Take a read around the Engine Swaps forum... Everything you need is there... And if you have specific questions... There are people to answer them...

But right now you're in such a basic stage of the research that you REALLY need to just do some reading first.

You'll also find that until you've done some of that research... Alot of guys around here that DO have the knowledge will be reluctant to help because we have SOOOOO many people come in here talking about LS Swapping who never get past the first few questions...

Good luck on your build though! And I hope you're one of the few who finishes!

Debbie downer... Yes I am fully aware the cars do not have a frame. Neither did the Lexus. I'm fully aware our trucks do not have a crossmember. If you re read my post I stated I unbolted the crossmember that had the engine mounts and suspension from the car. I then welded up a completely new frame for my Toyota to match the SC400. Now even though they are a unibody they still have some sort of rail or mounting points for the front assembly. For my Toyota I just mirrored what was on the SC400. Then I bolted the crossmember to the Toyota. Make sense? I did the same thing with the rear crossmember and suspension.

That's what I would be going for with the 355. Buy a running donor car, rebuilt the 355 frame to mount the running gear of the car. Swap all electronics over.

So to answer your other statement I am asking the first questions. You just didn't read them. I asked if anyone had any knowledge of how the suspension and motor bolt up to a GTO, Camaro or corvette.

 

[Low&slow]

Well if you go with an LS, its pretty straight forward getting it in the truck. From 2009 to 2012 the Colorado/Canyons offered a 5.3 LS based motor.....so it can be pretty easy with using some OEM parts.

1) use a OEM 5.3 oil pan - solves your cross member clearance issue right there
2) use either OEM 5.3 exhaust manifolds or Doug Thorley long tube headers - with either of those options the exhaust clears everything IE; steering/frame/firewall/
3) use CPWire motor mounts - direct bolt in(drama free)

Now for the transmission, I'd recommend going with a T56. Its much stronger and the goof new is the only thing you'd have to change is the transmission cross member; the wiring and plugs for the VSS and reverse lights are plug and play.

You will need to get the driveshaft shortened because the T56 transmission is longer

There are some thought to ponder for you

Yes I read the T56 was a good way to go. I just wasn't sure if my stock 5spd could handle a stock LS motor. But if it was too much work to bolt it up or too weak I am ok getting a new tranny.

If I end up getting a donor corvette and swapping everything over (all running gear), I think I would have to get a longer driveshaft. I would want to run the IRS of the corvette. Our wheelbase is 126" and the corvette is 104.6-105.7". Even the longer GTO is 109". So I do believe a longer driveshaft is needed to keep my 126" wheelbase. I don't want to bob my bed to match the smaller wheelbase.

 

[Low&slow]

Hey there neighbor! :welcome2:

That Toyota sounds really cool. Please post some pictures if you could. Also, have you considered a turbo for your 4 cyl? You can double your power and keep your gas mileage with a turbo. V8s are awesome in their own way though. Can't beat the sound.

Not really sure where you're going with the suspension. Sounds like a big project, but it would be cool to see a Colorado with irs!

I thought about a turbo but I'd rather go V8. For the suspension I would be going for a complete swap as well. Rebuilding/ making a new frame to match the mounting points for the car suspension. so basically making a true sport truck. No leafs in the rear.

 

[Low&slow]

Here are a few pictures of my V8 Toyota swap

Cab after stripping it down.


I bought a running Lexus SC400. Drove it straight home and into the garage to be stripped. Paid $2,200




This is the front assembly. I unbolted the 10 bolts that held it to the frame and body.


As you can see the front crossmember has the engine mounts and frame mounts.




Rear assembly unbolted from Lexus



Lexus suspension under unmodified Toyota frame




Welded up new front frame



Front IFS with motor bolted to new frame




Rear view of everything



Stock SC spring vs the lowered spring I was looking at




A friends lowered SC to give you an idea of the stance I was shooting for



Engine harness removed from Lexus cab.



I apparently didn't upload any of the other pictures. I lost the SD card that had the rest of the pictures. I got everything bolted up but didn't make the spring hoops that the top side of the suspension bolted to. Had all the designs and specs just didn't get to it. My wife and I moved across the state before I could completely finish it so I sold everything off to another person doing this swap.

 

[1BADI5]

Yes I read the T56 was a good way to go. I just wasn't sure if my stock 5spd could handle a stock LS motor. But if it was too much work to bolt it up or too weak I am ok getting a new tranny.

If I end up getting a donor corvette and swapping everything over (all running gear), I think I would have to get a longer driveshaft. I would want to run the IRS of the corvette. Our wheelbase is 126" and the corvette is 104.6-105.7". Even the longer GTO is 109". So I do believe a longer driveshaft is needed to keep my 126" wheelbase. I don't want to bob my bed to match the smaller wheelbase.

Well it looks like you know your way around the shop and how to build a cool ass truck.

If your going to run a full C5 or C6 drivetrain that in itself will be cool....... I'm all about doing something different. Shit I built the only crew cab 3.5 5 spd in the world :shrug:

The fun part will be making the torque tube longer and work with the swap.....being the corvette doe not us a normal drive shaft. Doing a full suspension swap will give you a better choice of wheels and brake options too.

As for those that will pop in here and say this and that and as you have pointed out..... the "Debbie Downer" Don't worry about them.....the members that do that generally either don't have the knowledge, skill or funds to do it....so why not hate on another members project; though I still fail to see why.

Well I hope to see this project happen...... I like a good build thread

 

[Low&slow]

Yea I'm only in the info gathering stage at this point. This is my first GM vehicle so I've never paid attention to anything GM and how they are made. I did hear the corvette has a rear transaxle of some sort? But yes I still have lots to figure out. I personally feel it will be an easier swap if I just remove everything from the donor.

 

[1BADI5]

Yeah the transmission is out back attached to the rear differential.

I'm all about information gathering. I spent about 4 months gathering information, part numbers and details on my Auto to manual swap.

This place has a wealth of information. If you need help feel free to ask or even PM those members you think will help.

 

[seffieldvillage]

Cleveland power and performance is a salvage yard that specializes in corvettes, gto, camaro, viper, mustang and anything fast. They ship all over the world too. I have bought several engines and axles from them, very good guys and there parts are disassembled with care and are kept in a climate controlled warehouse. They sell corvette running chassis, like you are looking for with anything from an ls1-lsa. They start at $7,900, and go up into the mid $20's. That's the best way to go. Good luck with your project..

 

[Low&slow]

So that's the idea I had but everything corvette would be stock. But build a frame to hold all corvette stuff and then weld on some cab mounts to hold the cab and box. So that center driveshaft would be the questionable part as I would want to match the 355 length. The motor would sit where ever the shifter lines up. In my Toyota the shift was moved back by a few inches but that actually worked in my favor.

 

[1BADI5]

This would be killer

 

[Low&slow]

Re: Time to beat a dead horse... LS question

So I have called about a half dozen driveline shops and no one seems to know anything about lengthening the torque tube. I think I have found a solution though. Go camaro.

The reason why I was looking at the corvette was the IRS. I thought the camaro came with a Live axel so I didn't look into it at all. Well the 2010-newer does. Plus it has a normal driveline so the wheel base can be lengthened to match our truck. I talked to one of the driveline shops about the camaro and he said because the driveshaft would need to be lengthened ~10" that could pose a problem. We could go larger diameter but still run into vibration issues at freeway speeds. He then said we could do a 2 piece shaft (similar to what I ran into with my Toyota build).

The camaro came in a V6 and V8 LS2. auto and manual. They had 2 different manual trannys. The Asin that is rated to 445 torque and the upgraded version of the T56. I believe the upgraded T56 was only an option for the LR1 camaro ( at $60k+ for a wrecked one that is not an option)

The 2010 camaro runs drive by wire as well. So the question is will our pedal work or will we have to swap pedals.

A custom frame will obviously need to be built. But by building the frame to match the camaro running gear and then match the dimensions of our truck for the cab and box it will be a "bolt on" application. If you can say that.

Addition to the frame will be building shock towers. A guy on my Toyota forum did a similar swap using a Mrk 3 supra. I'll try and find pictures of what he did here as he has an AMAZING build. 7MGTE with full Mrk3 running gear (That's where I got the inspiration to do my Mrk4 supra V8 truck). Build thread- http://www.toyotaminis.com/forum/build-up-project-threads-23/fiberglass-guy-building-84-a-328/







If you can buy a wrecked/ running 2010-newer camaro you can steal all the electronics. Swap everything over.

Would the Colorado dash work? No idea if our dash is electronic or mechanical. Haven't looked into stuff like that yet.

Would the seats fit? That would be a cool looking interior.




This is just me ranting. I love researching stuff like this. This will be a swap I will do but not anytime soon. My current motor is still low miles and running strong. Hopefully this will be a little spark to someone else looking to do a cool swap. I hope someone does it because maybe they can run into all the problems so when I do this it will be a lot easier Bahahahaha

 

[Jaymes]

Re: Time to beat a dead horse... LS question

Would the seats fit? That would be a cool looking interior.

I believe GTO seats fit with little work. This looks like it will be an awesome swap! I'm pretty sure our dash is electric.

 

[1BADI5]

OK, in for the assist!

1) GTO seat have been done several times, they fit with work
2) I have the gas pedal from a 5.3L Trailblazer; a gas pedal from a 5.3L Colorado should work too
3) For the ease of the swap, retain your current gauge cluster. The mileage is fed from the BMC, everything else will come from the PCM.
4) The Gen5 Camaro's use a 5 link type independent rear end assembly with half shaft axles. You can pick up the whole assembly for as cheap as $700. NOTE: I recommend getting on from either a 1LE or ZL1 optioned care; WHY, stronger parts and the 1LE come with a 3.90 gear ratio.

NOTE: when the time comes, contact CPWire (also a members here) based on the motor you select and buy, they can advice you on the rest of the electronics.

 

[Low&slow]

One cool thing about this is you wouldn't need to worry about header fit meant. Because you would have the same frame width as the camaro, so hopefully that should work.

Couple things to figure out is brake booster- if the Colorado booster could handle the 4 piston disc brakes on all 4 corners.

steering column- how would that line up/ attach to the steering box on the camaro front assembly. Would it be in the way of the headers?

gas tank- is the location ok with the new IRS assembly and driveline (driveline would be wider then the stock Colorado)

fuel pump- is the Colorado fuel pump big enough to feed the LS2 (I know it has been talked about. Haven't researched it yet), if seen some talk of return fuel lines and pressure regulators.