1986 LS2 Conversion

In my experience maintaining the truck accessory depth can lead to extremely tight clearance with a fan/radiator combo. If you have any interest of running a thick radiator (>2.5") i would recommend running f-body accessory depth

Howdy y'all!

Thought i'd formally introduce myself and my project. I bought a '86 944 a month ago in the interests of doing a LS swap. I was searching for engines (see my GTO LS1 thread) and found the engine I really wanted!! ... well kinda. It's a LS2 out of a Trailblazer SS. I wanted to do the LS2 but the ones from the GTO's and vettes are worth all sorts of money. I got the TBSS engine for $1,600 complete with harness and PCM. Only problem is the TBSS was dressed as a truck motor with intake and accessories.

Currently in the process of hunting down used F-body parts to convert the engine accessories and intake over. I would be simultaneously hunting down a turbo transaxle but I'm not sure how much money this engine is gonna eat up. Guy said it ran, but you never know...

I got ~$7000 left to throw at the project. Most of which will hopefully come when I finish/sell my last swap project

I'll update with pics tonight/tomorrow

You can probably find some used f-body stuff on LS1 Tech forum.
I spent about 2 grand with TPC on the conversion parts and it was worth it
because they all fit well and preformed properly.

phlip wrote:You can probably find some used f-body stuff on LS1 Tech forum.
I spent about 2 grand with TPC on the conversion parts and it was worth it
because they all fit well and preformed properly.

Yeah I've been on ebay and LS1 tech. I hope to spend as little as possible and plan on doing what I can to fabricate/modify my own parts. I'm cheap

I'm glad this has been done a thousand times in a thousand different ways. Tons of info out there

Check xschop's 5.3 lm7 build
I think he used a truck front drive setup
You right about the many different ways to do it, if it's safe and don't break its right.
Im just finishing the tune on my 5.3 rear turbo setup that the haters say won't work.
I'll post numbers In a week or so.
Good luck with the build.
~pb

I have an ls2 intake if you need it.

zeusrotty wrote:I have an ls2 intake if you need it.

PM Sent.

In the process of lurking and asking questions on LS1 tech about my options. I'm confused most about intake manifold/throttle body/ECM compatibility.

Also searching this board for power steering options. The turn one pump seems to be the easiest solution in you got the $$$. I'll be searching for who re-used the chevy pump and what trials/tribulations they had to go through.

Fun stuff!

I have the turn one pump but I think some guys are running the stock pump with the turn one pulley... \\

Looks like i can make the TBSS injectors and rail work with a car intake. Wahoo for saving some $$$

FrostedFlakeJake wrote:
Currently in the process of hunting down used F-body parts to convert the engine accessories a

Actually leaning more towards keeping the truck accessories but putting them in a F-body position. Saving all the $$$ i can!

Anyone think an accessory layout similar to this would work?
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Here's a link to the page description including a dimensions sheet: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

This is a very affordable approach if applicable..

FrostedFlakeJake wrote:Anyone think an accessory layout similar to this would work?

Found xschop's post on his 5.3 build about putting the alternator in the location in question. Sounds good!

Ordered a new water pump and spacers.

It looks like they have a version of that kit designed to work specifically with LS1 water pump.

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I'm very interested in hearing if this works out with your build. Finding the right accessory combination (or kit) has been a major sticking point on my L33 swap. I've been considering a CTS-V accessory kit, but all-in with a new water pump, it adds about $1,000 to the build. It's not that I'm unwilling to buy the kit, just that it seems to go against my vision of a proper budget truck engine build. This kit could drop that cost to around $300 if you can reuse the OE alternator. If not add another $100 for a budget new or rebuilt one.

If this kit will work properly and let hood close, it solves a major pain point for truck engine based swaps.

If this kit will work properly and let hood close, it solves a major pain point for truck engine based swaps.

Agreed.

I'm having a dickins of a time figuring out this gas pedal nonsense

FrostedFlakeJake wrote:
I'm having a dickins of a time figuring out this gas pedal nonsense

My original plan was to just use the DBW set-up adapted to my OE pedal. My engine came as a drop-out with the matching pedal and computer. If I hadn't been able to find a deal on a full drop-out, then I would probably have gone with a throttle cable, early ECU and harness to match. I'm not sure I'd want to try setting up DBW without having everything matched from the same vehicle.

Well as far as i can tell the throttle body, computer, and pedal has to match. I got 2 out of 3. Honestly the root of my problem is everyone on LS1tech talks in acronyms and when you're there because you know nothing about this DBW stuff it's really hard to follow along.

As far as I can tell, this should give the answer:

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With the alternator being a bit high and sitting out in front, there is some question.  I think I'll post a new topic with this pic since this question comes up all the time.

I decided to try to make my own alternator bracket for now. Metal is cheap and my boss seems to think my time is as well...

Alternator will go in essentially the same spot as the ICT product. Unfortunately I won't be able to tell anyone if it clears everything for a while.

Looks like i can make the TBSS injectors and rail work with a car intake. Wahoo for saving some $$$

Well that was false. TBSS injectors do not work with a car intake. Now i'm shopping for injectors!

Alternator bracket should hopefully be finished tomorrow-ish.

Ordered a bunch of parts from Kent, thanks kent!

Also got a turbo 5P trans coming from ebay

Corvette LS2 injectors on the way!

Well I got the alternator up there but now I don't have enough belt wrap on the crank. Should have seen that coming a mile away. There is no place to put a pulley/tensioner between the alt and the crank and no place between the power steering pump and the crank!

My only option is to move the power steering pump up. At which point I might as well put the alternator in the F-body location if i can...

Either way I gotta rid of my elephant trunk filler tube/reservoir for my steering pump. I wanted to just disconnect the filler tube but it looks like the filler tube and the reservoir are one piece of plastic. Shoot. I guess I'll take the plastic stuff off and do an external reservoir?

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So I ordered a F-body reservoir and made a little bracket yesterday. Not sure I like the angle that the reservoir is on so I might make another bracket today or maybe mod this one. I know aftermarket brackets are only $30 but the steel to make this one was only $3.....

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Seems like i'm the only one here but I'll ask anyways....

Anyone have problems seating LS2 fuel injectors? I asked over on LS1 tech but I'm not getting any feedback... I have a LS2 Manifold and LS2 injectors so the problem must lie in user error.

The orange O-ring is not making it into the injector channel. It's like either the channel is too small or the little black piece of plastic next to the orange o-ring is too large. I have silicone grease applied to the o-ring but the o-ring never ends up against a wall. I tried installing them into the fuel rail to help me push a little harder but still no dice. Super confused.

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Following! I can't wait to see ur final accesories setup I have a truck engine and I'm in a delima to choose which options to use fbody setup is rare in Canada .

Following! I can't wait to see ur final accesories setup I have a truck engine and I'm in a delima to choose which options to use fbody setup is rare in Canada .

I'm essentially copying the ICT billet accessory just paying for it in time rather than $$$

As soon as my kit from Kent at TPC comes I can see what fits. There is some play with the alternator between being either closer to the passenger side or closer to the hood. From the photos I looked at online it looked like there was room in the engine compartment towards the passenger side, so I chose a location lower and more towards passenger side than the ICT kit.

We'll see if it paid off...

I'm still watching, lol. No info on injectors, sorry. I'm very interested in seeing how your accessory solution works out.