HELP!! LSx install in SBC chassis?

[BigAl1]

After 2+ years of building, I'm finally close to engine install! But, when mounting the engine mounts on the adapter plates, found the LS1 Corvette A/C compressor will not clear the engine mount. It looks like the engine mount needs to move to the rear by 1" for compressor clearance. But, this relatively moves the engine forward 1" and there is no clearance to do this as the Corvette water pump pulley nose is within 1/4" of the firewall (according to my measurements of the engine on the stand). My questions follow;
1. Has anybody installed a LSx engine in the SBC style Ultima chassis, and mounted the regular LSx A/C compressor in the lower RH position?
2. What adapter mounts were used? The Street and Performance style (with/without 1" shift?), or the rectangular design?
3. Did the chassis mounts have to be moved rearwards?

I'm using a 2002 Camaro LS6 block, LS1 heads with Corvette accessories. This puts the A/C compressor lower RH, and the Alternator upper RH.

Thanks in advance,
Allan

[ezakimak]

this is the best i can do for ya

www.ihp.com/GTR/Construction/gtr_construction_engine.html
www.markkoch.net/canam_Engine.asp

hope it helps, thanks for all the good info on your web site too

>> Edited by ezakimak on Saturday 4th March 10:38

[crafty]

Allan,

When Jeff was building my engine he ordered chromed alt and AC compressor from S&P, they didnt fit. He has used stock items.

He has an LS6 in his car so you may want to PM him..

[BigAl1]

Thanks for the info and links. Scott's doesn't have the A/C shown, and Mark does not have A/C. Jeff S has the LSx chassis, so different mounting setup. The black GTR in Toronto area with LS1 did not have the A/C connected - don't know why. I have heard the Camaro accessories belt path is ~3/4" farther forward compared to the Corvette, so need to know if the A/C compressor is farther forward, or just the nose is longer?
Anybody out there with this setup???????

Allan

[builder]

According to the factory, LS engines use a mounting plate that they sell for US$240. It moves the engine 1" forward. Would moving the engine 1" forward provide the clearance needed?

[Boosted Ls1]

builder said:

According to the factory, LS engines use a mounting plate that they sell for US$240. It moves the engine 1" forward. Would moving the engine 1" forward provide the clearance needed?

I think the bulkhead may be close? Would ditching the pump be an option or shortening it's nose? Or use truck stuff?

Boosted.

[steve_D]

I thing the 1" forward has to be achieved somehow or it will move the drive shafts further back making the angle unacceptable.

Steve

[BigAl1]

Thanks for the input everybody. Yes, moving the engine 1" farther forward will clear the Corvette A/C compressor past the mounts. But, according to my measurements the nose of the water pump pulley will just clear with the current setup, and interfere by ~3/4" with the rear firewall if the engine was shifted forward. I *believe* the LS2 Corvette water pump pulley is ~2" shorter, so that may be the way to go. I must verify these details, then will post up the findings.
Any others with this setup out there?

Allan

[builder]

steve_D said:

I thing the 1" forward has to be achieved somehow or it will move the drive shafts further back making the angle unacceptable.

Boosted Ls1 said:

I think the bulkhead may be close? Would ditching the pump be an option or shortening it's nose? Or use truck stuff?

My trans builder is shortening the bell housing, so the engine shouldn't have to move forward. There is about 2" of space in front of the water pump port at the moment (with the center and rear sections off).

BigAl...sorry, the clearnaces on the A/C or ALT have not been checked yet, as I don't have the parts in hand. The LS7 is also a little different than the LS1 (with regards to accessory mounting brackets). Apparently, the LS2 brackets work on the LS7.

It will not be too challenging to fab the required brackets, if needed. But, of course, if stock Ultima or stock GM brackets work...much easier.

[Boosted Ls1]

I was thinking you could try fwd, front end stuff or my pump casting.

Boosted.

[crafty]

Here's what mine looks like from the top - this is an LS2.

[Boosted Ls1]

He he, well it was an ls2 now it's got a harrop

Boosted.

[chuntington101]

crafty has jeff trile fitted this einge to make sure it all fits??

Chris.

[BigAl1]

Thanks for the pic Crafty. It looks like the water pump inlet has been shortened, and the curved pipe installed to avoid the firewall. Another thing to consider is what trans you have. Is the G50/52 shorter by 25mm from axle CL to bellhousing mount face? This would allow the engine to pull back from the firewall for more clearance. I have a G50/03, so if I understand the differences correctly, I will have the worst case fit problem. The new motor mount adapter plates will be installed in the next 2 days, so I'll take more measurements then, hopefully with the LS2 water pump too.

Allan

[ezakimak]

Harrop supercharge kits look slightly different

www.harrop.com.au/root_folder/misc_images/stealth-5.html

[crafty]

Engine has not been fitted yet - should be trial fitting engine/trans next week.

I have the panelling done, except for the floor double skin - that goes in tonight. I had to have a break from rivetting so I put that aside.Panels are all fitted with Dynamat.

Steering Rack and column in.

Master Cylinders in

Rear suspension on.

I am in the process of running all the cables, lines and hoses before I rivet anything off.


Ordering today:
Radar detector/Jammer
Sound/video system - went for an indash display for rear camera. I'm fitting 6 cameras, one in the cabin facing fwd, one under the dash facing the driver/passenger, one rear low, one front low and a pod on the roof with a front and rear view in it. There's a switch unit for security cameras that allows input from all 5 and displays in windows on the screen... can also do each in idividually full screen. This should make for some interesting footage.

Also bought these great speaker enclosures.....




and they threw in a set of steak knives and these air filters

[jschwartz]

Al,
for AC clearance. Use some metric threaded rod and nuts to fasten the GM compressor using 1"-1.5" spacers to space it away from the block.
The motor mount will then slip behind the compressor. You'll need a longer ac belt.
Jeff S
www.schwartzperformance.com

[jeff-texas]

Well, I wrote this before I saw Jeff's reply, but...

BigAl1 said:

I *believe* the LS2 Corvette water pump pulley is ~2" shorter, so that may be the way to go.

The LS2 is definitely at least 1" shorter overall (i.e., the entire engine's length) -- and the water-pump's nut in particular was shortened. You might also wanna contact vintageair.com or hotrodair.com and ask them whether the Sanden 505 or 508 are smaller than the Corvette's compressor. I'm pretty sure they're at least more efficient (making them worth the cost); and they are *definitely* more efficient than GM's older offerings. But if you get your clearance by using a smaller AirCon compressor, not sure if this would be better or worse for your driveshaft angles than moving the whole driveline forward an inch...

[jeff-texas]

Crafty: Are you going to buy a salad-shooting wheel-spinner set with that? (http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_

You might need a larger speaker-enclosure for the MOTHER OF ALL SUBWOOFERS. (http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?enclo
... but for "-500 antihertz," it's worth getting a more proper enclosure: www.londonwok.com/big_wok.html
...man, now that would really bring meaning to the term "rice-mobile".

I have the red headlights on my lowrider (http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_ and let me tell you, these $30 puppies get me lots of babes b/c I'm a trendy poser boy-racer who tries to spend money on crap that does nothing except show people that I have "bling," instead of spending it on stuff that makes my car go faster. ;-)
"Yo yo, deez is da BOMB when yous pimpin at da klub".

>> Edited by jeff-texas on Thursday 9th March 10:58

[BigAl1]

Jeff S - thanks for the spacers idea. Last night I verified the fit of the new apdater plates and the motor mounts vs. the A/C compressor in the standard location. They will fit, but the A/C compressor needs to be installed after engine is in and the motor mounts are tightened up. The A/C hoses will need to exit to the side, which there are adapter fittings available for custom setups. Or the 2004+ GTO setup has a compressor with ports on the side, and has the belt path close to the block like the C6 Vette. Still waiting for the new LS2 water pump to final check dimensions.
Jeff-Texas - The A/C side looks solved, but the Alt bulky bracket is bugging me! I'm considering designing my own that puts it down low LH side. The difference vs GM Camaro/Firebird setup is the belt path is closer to the block, so AFAIK the GM F-body bracket will not align the alternator pulley with the Corvette crank pulley. Maybe the GTO setup could work? An additional grooved idler pulley needs to be located, and the smooth idler needs to be mounted on a new structure as the big Alt mount would be gone.

Allan