Looking at a LS2 swap

[SilverWings]

My old friend the 4.3 is on it's last legs at 240K so I'm looking wild eyed at the Vet LS2 to replace it with. I have a 7.5 rear with a recient PowerTrac locker. New heavy duty radiator. The L460E was rebuilt a year ago with lots of heavy dutie parts.



So. What do I have to concider first on this install?

BTW: I don't intend to do any lite racing till I replace the rear next year.

[greenmachine_1]

On 2007-08-19 23:12, SilverWings wrote:



So. What do I have to concider first on this install?







I've been looking at doing the same install with my dime. I'm not totally sure as to how much would need to be changed but i do know that certain years of 4L60E have a different bell housing bolt pattern depending on the motor that was there. But as for the other stuff it just depends on how technical you are because the LS block is a lot difference then the first and second gen blocks so as with any install it will most likely have you doing a lot of fab. work The ecm and wiring harness would have to be changed. Even if you go carbed you will need to either go with an aftermarket controller to run the ignition or gm makes a way to run an MSD set up using a ford distributor. But other than that I don't see what's so difficult about it http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

[Melonhead]

For that concern, 96 and up have the two piece trans has an removeable bellhousing. That adapter can be changed. The bellhousing for the new LS motors have that top bolt hole. I mayby wrong on the year that started??

[SilverWings]

Thank you for the info guys. I wasn't aware of the bellhousing differences.



Yes I'd love to do a LS2 swap but I'm not setup for a long time project like this will prpobably end up being.



At this time it looks like I might be better off concidering an earler model like a LS1 instead. Thats a tryed and true swap with all the engenering and parts that fit correctly available.

[greenmachine_1]

On 2007-08-21 23:02, SilverWings wrote:

Thank you for the info guys. I wasn't aware of the bellhousing differences.



Yes I'd love to do a LS2 swap but I'm not setup for a long time project like this will prpobably end up being.



At this time it looks like I might be better off concidering an earler model like a LS1 instead. Thats a tryed and true swap with all the engenering and parts that fit correctly available.





I'm not 100% sure but if i remember right all the ls motors are basically the same... so you'll have just about the same amount of fab work. If you know how to put in an ls1 an ls2 would be the same with only a few differences... There are a lot of books out on the new motors start reading and researching and you'll be able to figure out what you want to do.

[outrunu]

Just a lil input you can use the 4l60e out of your truck on any small block chevy....Ive got a vortec 4l60e no changes to it behind my tuned port motor....The extra bolt holes in the bell housing just want be used...Hope that helps...

[SilverWings]

Thanks again guys.



A quote for that LS2 swap from a pro shop was 10K. Whew! I was thinking it would run 7K. They do good work and thier rep is excellent, but the extra 3K+ is more than I want to bite off.



They do have a 350 hp LS1 that would be a better, read "easer" swap and would come in closer to the 7K so maybe a little overtime at work would put this one within reach.



In the mean time I will do some more research in the area metioned earelyer.

[Scotty_S-15]

Just out of curiosity, anyone know what's the main differences between the LS1 & LS2 swap?

......... Like Greenmachine, I was under the impression that they're pretty much the same.

[Gutling]

ls1 and ls2 are similar, nothing really extra would have to be done. reason for higher price is the ls2 is a lot newer, more costlier engine, probably a lot lower miles

[96bigblack]

i think intake and cam are diffrent. Block of the motor is the same. same with the 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, 6.2.