crossmember

Hey,

For some reason (don't know why I didn't notice this before) I've been seeing a lot of posts that have a lowered crossmember mentioned??? I didn't know that this was necessary for the LS1 conversion? Any links or details would be appreciated! Sorry if this is a really obvious question. Also, I've got to finish reading the enormous thread on Headers. I originally thought that the Sanderson's worked right out of the box.... hmmm

Luke

The crossmember needs to be dropped 1/2" due to hood clearance issues. Thats the only reason that I know of. The sanderson headers are for LT and gen1 heads and do not fit the LS engines especially due to the exhaust port configurations.

oh, ok. That makes sense. It said in the manual that Sanderson's would work for the LS, I'll do more reading before I ask any more questions. Are there any write ups about the crossmember?

Thanks

From the LSX Shopping List:

Modified Hooker 2312 or Sanderson...
(The "or" means both will have to be modified.)

Poorly worded, my apologies.

Sanderson does make LS headers, but they currently do not make a set that works with the LS 944 conversion.

For the crossmember spacers, I simply bought some aluminum stock from mcmastercarr.com PN# 8975K423 which is a 36" long, 1-1/2" wide by 1/2" thick piece of 6061 aluminum. Cost is about 15 bucks. Then I just cut it to two pieces of 6" length and another two pieces of 4-1/2" length. Then I drilled two holes in each. It was pretty easy to do. I cant remember if theres a diagram of the spacers in the manual but should be. Otherwise, theres a few pictures floating around in this forum on where to drill the holes and how large made by Xschop.

gt1scca wrote:From the LSX Shopping List:

Modified Hooker 2312 or Sanderson...
(The "or" means both will have to be modified.)

Poorly worded, my apologies.

oh, ok. no prob, that's why I'm spending all winter collecting parts and doing research.

Thanks for the drawings, that's awesome. I'll have to look later but I don't think there were drawings (could be wrong) but there was a mention of crossmember spacers. Wasn't really sure what was meant by them, now I know. I love Mcmaster Carr!! They've saved my butt a couple of times, ordered all the parts before 5:00 the night before, spent all night machining, and then installed the parts that arrived in the morning mail!

If I use the RH LT1 tubular motor mount crossmember for the LS swap do I need to lower the factory crossmember and control arms? I am trying to make as many parts as I need\can before I start my conversion. Thanks to pioneers on this site there are prints available. Thanks in advance

Are you referring to the LT1 motor mount uprights? If so, yes they will work on the LS1 with the right set back plates and proper motor mounts.

1/2" Spacer drawings are in the manual.

The RH LT1 mounts are too tall...Ask 944-LT1.
The uprights drawing here, in the Wiki, and the Manual will work on the SBC / LT1 / LS engines.

Proven to work on the LS engines with CarShop, Inc. set-back plates and "short" style urethane motor mounts. The el-cheapo rubber mounts made by DEA Products will NOT work, due to the design of the backing plate.

The correct uprights and mounts are also listed at 944v8s.com and TexasPerformanceConcepts.com.

does the spacers require bolts 1/2 inch longer

oh, you're right gt1scca. Sorry, now it looks like I didn't read the manual. Those don't look like they'll take too long to knock out on the mill. I was also wondering if anyone has come up with a rough list of hardware that is needed. My local hardware store doesn't carry much in grade 8 or metric, so I'll be ordering ahead of time from Mcmaster. If not I guess I'll order as I go along. I'm trying to do all of the planning away from the car while I'm at school, so it makes it hard. Are there some specific hard to find bolts?

Luke714 wrote:Are there some specific hard to find bolts?

Yep.

Crossmember:
Grade 10.9
You'll need M12 X 1.50 X 90MM
I bought the first 12 from Fastenal.

Others are easy...

Swaybar:
Grade 10.9
M8 X 1.25 X 40MM

Control Arm (rear mount):
Grade 10.9
M10 X 1.50 X 90MM

C5 Bellhousing (LS Block):
Grade 10.9
M10 X 1.50 X 40MM

(SBC / LT1)
Grade 8.8
(6) 3/8-16 X 1.5"

Engine Uprights, Mounts:
Grade 8.8
(2) 7/16 X 4 BOLTS
(4) 7/16 WASHERS
(6) 3/8-16 X 1"
(6) 3/8 LOCK WASHERS
(6) 3/8 FLAT WASHERS
(2) 1/2-20 X 2 (FINE) BOLTS
(2) 1/2-20 X 2 (FINE) LOCKNUTS
(2) 1/2 WASHERS

C5 BH Adapter Plate:
Grade 8.8
(4) 7/16-14 X 1.5 STUDS
(4) 7/16-14 NUTS
(4) 7/16 SPRING-LOCK WASHERS
(2) 1/4-20 BUTTON HEAD BOLTS

NOTE: All 944v8s Kits come with the above fasteners.

I have seen the M10 and M12 X 1.50 bolts 100MM long at Ace Hardware, but they are Grade 8.8. Suspension hardware needs to be 10.9.

Tell ya what...

I need to clarify my "Disclaimer".

If you plan on tracking an early car with spacers installed, you're asking for it. The ball joint issue has been discussed at length, and you'd be better off modifying sheet metal. Late cars with steel control arms and 53MM offset are not as susceptible to failure, but definitely should not use more than 1/2" spacers.

A decent looking (and reasonably priced) aftermarket hood has not been produced, but should be. I know of a fiberglass "Arteest" that could make the spacer issue go away...

Hint, Hint.

The "New" crossmember should work also.
Whatever is easier, Maestro...

I always wondered what kind of hood would look good on the 944. A cowl hood would probably flow well with the lines of the car, but it would also let hot air into our cabin air intake.

I always liked the curved look of this that matches the front fender flares....It could be cut down in front and brought forward to where the Throttle body on the LS intake would protrude if no X-member drop were used....JAT


http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.racecomposites.com/images/ss.1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.racecomposites.com/scoops.htm&usg=__1fw2coSTzaAy6XkYe_ShXtZwkls=&h=449&w=674&sz=21&hl=en&start=22&um=1&tbnid=lhmenjl_GrcqTM:&tbnh=92&tbnw=138&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcamaro%2Bhood%2Bscoop%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1R2ADBF_enUS328%26sa%3DN%26start%3D20%26um%3D1

What NEEDs to happen is a hood + nose/header panel kit. If theres to be any buldge in the hood, it should carry-on to the nose panel and then progressively fade away into the bumper.

Ive seen RH's hood. It just starts-a-buldging right after the lip of the hood which when looked at from any other angle than straight on looks like.... butt. (sorry michaelB )

Im not saying copy corvettes style or anything but thats the idea kinda. The header panel is pretty small and easy to work with (cost down) and the lines will flow nicely instead of coming to an abrupt end at the hood seam. Know what I mean?

You should look st the strosek 944. I don't like the acura front end look but the hood is sweet.

They have a good rear bumper setup too. There is one American importer, but I've contacted Strosek myself and they said all you have to do is pick the parts up at the airport. They have deals that the importer does not offer.

Check it out:

http://www.strosek.de/strosek_2006.php

I would like to see a power bulge/cowl type hood similar to one on the 370Z or M3. The strosek site has one similar shown on the car but it didn't list it as a product for the 944 turbo.

when I contacted them about the fenders and the bumpers, they made it sound like the hood was a stock hood with a hump added to it. The hood is not a completed item.

So it would work for either Turbo or n/a.

They said it was only around 500 for the hood piece but came free when you bought the fenders for 4g straight through them.

I agree that the hood looks nice, but it really doesn't do anything for hood clearance, which is the reason it came up...

I agree about the hood clearance. I was not sure if the front was far enough down to create throttle body clearance once the hood was cut to meet up with the hump.

Off-Topic, slightly.

I thought this thread was titled "crossmember"...
Post the hood ideas in the Body Mods section, please.

Thanks.

You started it!

But even if a hood was made, a crossmember that alows a stock pan unmodified would be great. Beyond that, it solves alot of other expensive problems such as headers!!! Thats the one thing I havent tackled yet.

I know, I know...
I was nice about it, goes for me too.