LM7 5.3 bell-housing clearance and clutch setup

Hey all!

So i'm still pretty new to the whole LS world and i'm currently swapping a LM7 into my '86 944. I'm to the point of installing the clutch and pressure plate, and have been having issues trying to find the correct flywheel and clutch setup. As of right now, I am experiencing clearance issues with the bell-housing hitting the edge of the pressure plate. There is a 3/4'' gap between the mounting surface of the block to the bell-housing, so the 1/2'' spacer that Kent recommended won't work for me. I know the LM7 comes stock with a flex-plate only, and i have seen people convert it to a manual, just haven't gotten a response as to what they are using for their setup. Also does the single piece bell-housing or the two piece bell-housing make a huge difference with clearance issues for the flywheel? Any info would help, so that i can stop banging my head up against the wall!! Thanks everyone!!!!

i used a single piece bell housing off a corvette mated to an ls1.
Kent recommended that i get the spacer and dowel pins (summit racing).
i am using the stock flywheel with a spec1 clutch and hydraulic throwout and TT adapter plate from TPC.
i did the mods on the bell housing from kents advice and i am able to fit it in.
i think if you can get a two piece, it will be beneficial when installing and measuring out the torque tube shaft into the pilot bearing.
hope this helps
Carl

Thank for the response!! So even if I do the mods to the bellhousing, it still will not fit. The bellhousing is hitting the pressure plate. I already have the spacer and the dowel pin’s and that still doesn’t work. I’m pretty positive it’s the flywheel, or the pressure plate, or combination of both that are causing the clearance issue. Some people are saying that using a LS7 clutch and pressure plate, with a LS2 flywheel on the LM7 fix’s the clearance issue, and are able to mount the bellhousing but I haven’t been able to confirm this, and I really don’t want to spend that extra money for those not to fit. Especially because most places won’t take returns once it’s mounted. I just need to know what clutch/flywheel/pressure plate combination to go with for the LM7.

don't know much about an LM7.
from what i read, it's an iron block as opposed to LS which is aluminum.
any reason why you're using the flywheel and clutch combo? did you get it already or planning on getting it? TPC has a good price combo. Kent may shed more light on it. just give him a call on TPC site, he's really great at this stuff.
well mine is gonna be a daily driver.