- LS1 Body Dropped Project -

[specsix]

Ok I got talked into documenting my LS1 swap on my 2000 s-10 extended cab with a body drop. I know it has been done many times before, but one thing that I have noticed is that there is not conglomerated detailed and precise information on the problems that go along with putting an LS1 into a body dropped s-10. Sure you can search around the forum and find what you need, but I wanted to just share my experiences for other people in one thread.

I got a hold of a 99 LS1 with 4L60E transmission with 52k miles.
http://www.jaketorset.com/photos/s10/engine/ls1_1.jpg

Swapping the 2.2L out of this...
http://www.jaketorset.com/photos/s10...summerslam.jpg

Thanks to CaptainMorgan, I now have notch measurements for the crossmember. He is also putting an LS1 into a body dropped s-10 and provided me with a few images of the notch and relocation of the steering column images.

http://www.trackandshow.com/gallery/album07/p1010003
http://www.trackandshow.com/gallery/album07/p1010002
http://www.trackandshow.com/gallery/album07/P1010006
http://www.trackandshow.com/gallery/album07/p1010001

He did this without buying headers and oil pan. That also is my plan.

• Rear end is getting upgraded with new gears and posi (probably something out of a camaro)
• Extended Cab drive line replaced with a strong single drive line.
• Buying Jared's Plug and Play wire harness
• Buying Jared's Radiator
• Purchased JTRs mounts because they shift the engine closer to the passenger side away from the steering column (still need to modify the steering column though)
• Still working on what to do about the hood. Probably going to make my own.

I hope this progress and thread helps anyone in the same situation. I will continue to update this thread as I make milestones.

Jake

[Kampz69]

nice truck, good luck!

[Yogi]

Good luck!!

[2000extemeturbo]

Hey, I'll buy those exhaust manifolds if you are not going to use them.

[specsix]

Quote: Originally Posted by 2000extemeturbo

Hey, I'll buy those exhaust manifolds if you are not going to use them.

I am going to attempt this with the stock manifolds and move the steering column over a little.

If that does not work out, you will be the first one I message.

[lalitopalito]

Awesome post!

Can u tell me how u figured your drive line's length? I have an ext cab, dropped 3'' all around, 6.0L and 4L60E goin in.

I really need to determine the drive line's length before i put the tranny and engine in. I only have a month to do the build and I dont want to wait on the drive line to get done 3 weeks into the project because it took me that long to give the machine shop the length specs.

[lalitopalito]

Awesome post!

Can u tell me how u figured your drive line's length? I have an ext cab, dropped 3'' all around, 6.0L and 4L60E goin in.

I really need to determine the drive line's length before I begin the project of installing the tranny and engine.

I only have a month to do the build and I dont want to be stalled past the project time limit by the machine shop (I have to get back to school).

[specsix]

I took a quick picture of the drivers side manifold mod. I chopped off 3/4 of an inch off the back side of exhaust port that hits the steering column. I added 3/4 of an inch to the front side so my entire air flow is the same. It came out ok. The welds could have looked better, but it is solid and sealed. I sprayed hi heat silicone to clean it up a little. I put them back on and mounted the engine. It fits perfect. I took pictures, but they came out really crappy. I need to get some light in there....

[specsix]

Quote: Originally Posted by lalitopalito

Awesome post!

Can u tell me how u figured your drive line's length? I have an ext cab, dropped 3'' all around, 6.0L and 4L60E goin in.

I really need to determine the drive line's length before I begin the project of installing the tranny and engine.

I only have a month to do the build and I dont want to be stalled past the project time limit by the machine shop (I have to get back to school).

I just got the front drive line shortened 1.5 inches. It was really easy. All I did was insert the drive line into the tranny and measured the distance between the carrier bearing holes and the holes in the carrier bearing xmember. It was about an inch. I added .5 inches for play. Fits perfect will lots of room for movement.

[specsix]

Guys I am really sorry for not updating this thread. I started my truck when the recession started and really had no time to work on the truck until now. My employer was laying people off which created more work for the people left over (like me).

I wanted to do a quick update on some good news I found out today. I put the hood on for the first time since the project was started. Well I about fell over when I noticed the stock hood was not touching ANYTHING. I do not need a cowl hood or even need to modify my current hood.

Key Info...

• 2.75 inch body drop.
• 99 F-body 5.7L LS1 engine
• F-body Oil Pan with xmember notched.
• Alternator, EGR, and throttle body are about 1/2 inch away from hood

I will take some pictures sometime to show this. I am almost ready to start the engine, but I broke my power steering pulley and had to order a new one today.

I am really excited about the hood fitting because nothing on my truck will show it has an LS1 in it. Sleep baby sleep

[Milky4204]

yeah its nice how much lower the ls1 sits than the 2.2l. I was very excited also when I test fitted my hood, especially after I just got it painted and didn't want to have to get a cowl hood. Where is your alternator going to be?

[specsix]

Quote: Originally Posted by Milky4204

yeah its nice how much lower the ls1 sits than the 2.2l. I was very excited also when I test fitted my hood, especially after I just got it painted and didn't want to have to get a cowl hood. Where is your alternator going to be?

I used the current performance relocation bracket that places the alternator on the drivers side. The alternator's top is level with the EGR's top. Its all about 1/2 inch from hitting.

[Milky4204]

Do you have any pictures of it? I bought a bracket and moved it to the top on the passenger side, not real sure how I like the bracket though.

[specsix]

I will take some more pictures this weekend.

[specsix]

Update:

Sorry this took so long. I still need to do a write up on the problems that were directly related to the body drop. Overall many of my issues were similar to others. I had a few issues that were out of my control, but got cleared up (kind of) by Jared at cpw. I just have some electrical to work on for the stereo and crap like that. I might need to get new O2 sensors also, but not sure yet. I hope to get videos of it soon.









7.5 10 bolt. Auburn posi with richmond 4.10 gears. Crush sleeve was replaced and new axles installed. This was after I got it back from the shop and was getting ready to put the summit support cover on and fill it up with fluid.







The stock hood does fit, but I thought it looked cooler with it off

[low98]

oh my

[556mm]

daaaaayum

[J_SIN]

its about time

[extremetoy]

whats color is the paint...it looks awesome

[specsix]

Quote: Originally Posted by extremetoy

whats color is the paint...it looks awesome

Thanks!

That is PPG custom mix. I started with a charcoal base with some silver mixed in with it. I painted that turd in my home garage . It is not perfect, but it will do for a novice painter.

[Petro]

Looks great man...Where did you get the tubing for your intake? I like the paint color too....

[specsix]

Quote: Originally Posted by Petro

Looks great man...Where did you get the tubing for your intake? I like the paint color too....

All that tubing is Spectre intake parts from jegs. I can give you the part numbers if you need them. I think it was like 90 bucks total for everything.

[Petro]

I like the way that looks...like sprayed99's intake setup..he said he used a K&N 77 series for a Silverado...The Spectre intake for the Silverado only costs like $100 and I could mod if need be to make it work...I want to route mine where the stock 4.3 intake box is and go down a lil bit...I would still like to make a "Ram Air" setup using my SS Bumper though...Anyways are you leaving the ABS module on the valve cover or have you just not found a place for yet? And what alternator is that?

[specsix]

Quote: Originally Posted by Petro

I like the way that looks...like sprayed99's intake setup..he said he used a K&N 77 series for a Silverado...The Spectre intake for the Silverado only costs like $100 and I could mod if need be to make it work...I want to route mine where the stock 4.3 intake box is and go down a lil bit...I would still like to make a "Ram Air" setup using my SS Bumper though...Anyways are you leaving the ABS module on the valve cover or have you just not found a place for yet? And what alternator is that?

It was a surprise that I could get a nice looking intake like that for so cheap. The air sensors are happy also.

I am not sure what to do with the ABS. Its hooked up and working, but not sure if it looks good there or not. I take by your question that it does not look that great ?

That is a Stinger alternator. It is their 200 amp alternator that is moded for 300 amps and variable voltage. When I turn up the voltage, I have another module regulator that keeps 14.4 to the electrical system and 14.4-18 volts to the stereo.

[Petro]

No , I didn't mean that it looked bad where it is at all...I was just wondering...But I have seen some guys build a pretty cool bracket to set it out in front of the master cylinder. I'll see if I can find the thread...Yeah I just like the look of the alternator plus I would go well with some boom boom...

[Petro]

Found it here ya go:

http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f125/p...on-20s-193627/

[specsix]

Quote: Originally Posted by Petro

Found it here ya go:

http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f125/p...on-20s-193627/

Yeah, I think that would get in the way of the alternator.

I made a bracket for where it is sitting right now. It is just hard to see.

[specsix]

Not so great news.

I took it for a spin today. I think I might need O2 sensors. I will scan it tomorrow. I give it about 3/4 throttle and it hesitates and then takes off. It sounds clean; no popping or sputtering or anything like that, but with 4.10 gears that truck should haul ass. I do not have true dual exhaust, but that shouldn't be holding it back that much.

Just a little confused right now. I hope the MAF is not wired incorrectly on the cpw harness because I was reading a thread today about that.

Also the engine seems to get really got. It's pegged at 225 using cpw radiator. Over the weekend the truck overheated, but I was pretty sure that was air pockets. It eventually corrected itself, but damn, that shit is scaring me. It shouldn't be doing that in 65 degree weather. Heat is what killed my 2.2L/4l60E so I am crazy paranoid right now.

[Petro]

I forgot about the alternator being in the way....Maybe positioned underneath the master? Again not saying it looks bad where it is...Just throwing some ideas out there for ya if you were wanting to move it...Good luck with the hesitation problem...

[idragbodys10]

badass truck

[Milky4204]

does your alt fit under the stock hood? I didn't think it would with mine so I opted for another bracket I found online somewhere rather than switching to the corvette acc. When yours hesitates is it just from low rpms like mine or is at all times?

[specsix]

Quote: Originally Posted by Milky4204

does your alt fit under the stock hood? I didn't think it would with mine so I opted for another bracket I found online somewhere rather than switching to the corvette acc. When yours hesitates is it just from low rpms like mine or is at all times?

Yes, the hood fits. It rubs on the intake 90 degree neck a little, but its not bad.

It hesitates at low rpm it seems. I have not driven it enough to be totally sure. It sounds and feels great at high rpm.

[Milky4204]

yeah thats the same with mine, really only around 2k and below

[specsix]

Throws code P0300 (multiple misfires). This can be related to coils, coil wires, plugs, plug wires, EGR, MAF, fuel injectors, fuel pressure, 02 sensors, and probably some other stuff. This sounds like so much fun!!!

[Petro]

At least some of those will be easy to test....

[AmericanMuscle]

that thing is nice!

[specsix]

I know this is going to sound stupid, but I disconnected my front two o2 sensors and all codes go away. The truck takes off like a rocket on crack now. I am completely baffled.

[specsix]

Quote: Originally Posted by AmericanMuscle

that thing is nice!

Thanks man. Feels good that people appreciate the look.

[sprayed99]

the wiring on the 02s might be backwards. do you have tuning software? If so and it is HPT you can email me a log and I can look through it for you.

[specsix]

Quote: Originally Posted by sprayed99

the wiring on the 02s might be backwards. do you have tuning software? If so and it is HPT you can email me a log and I can look through it for you.

I wish I had a tuner, but so far, I have had Jared program my pcm. I probably need to get new o2 sensors so I can rule that out. The ones I have are old.

[s10-den]

WOW..looks great!!
engine pics?
I read somewhere on here that swiching the o2 plugs around helped......but dont hold me to that,I dont want to responsible for a melt down..!

[firefighter5325]

man looks awesome what are the issues that came up with the body drop im waiting on the shop to build my frame for my stock body drop just wandering what kind of trouble im running into.

[specsix]

Quote: Originally Posted by firefighter5325

man looks awesome what are the issues that came up with the body drop im waiting on the shop to build my frame for my stock body drop just wandering what kind of trouble im running into.

I am not sure since mine was traditional.

* The cab had to be lifted off the frame to lower the engine in. Not much, but a couple of inches.
* I had to modify the stock manifolds so they would not hit the steering column.
* Removed sleeve around steering column to prevent getting melted.
* Used JTRs engine mounts to move the engine over the passengers side more.

Most of this stuff is depending on your situation so my thread is kind of misleading, but I did not know that when I started.

*

[firefighter5325]

ok im using shorty headers so i may not have to cut the cab isnt on the truck yet i put the motor in already. so i know the firewall will have to be modified but thats normal with a body drop just making sure nothing on the motor needed to be changed

[firefighter5325]

well the shop has my frame finished and the steering column is hitting really bad gotta figure something out on it.

[specsix]

Update:

I finally decided to take a video of the truck driving. I do not have loud exhaust (I hate that crap) and I am not burning out because I have stereo crap in the back weighing it down, but here is a video none the less. I posted an earlier one in another thread, but that was just a test.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGWnUf1L8qw

[Dr. Pepper]

awesome! what are you running for exhaust? do you have any pictures of the oil pan notch? whats the highest part of the engine and how much room is there clearance wise?

[specsix]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dr. Pepper

awesome! what are you running for exhaust? do you have any pictures of the oil pan notch? whats the highest part of the engine and how much room is there clearance wise?

I am running Magnaflow muffler single in/dual out. It runs 2.5" to the Y, then 3" to the muffler. It also has a Magnaflow cat that is very efficient.

I do not have that much room left under the hood. The air intake is almost touching and I only have a 2.75 inch body drop. The alternator bracket is about 1/2 inch away from the hood. It's close man; if it was body dropped any further, it probably would have not worked with my alternator bracket and air intake setup. Other parts have about 2 inches clearance (roughly).

Hope that helps.

[tyson_cbr]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dr. Pepper

awesome! what are you running for exhaust? do you have any pictures of the oil pan notch? whats the highest part of the engine and how much room is there clearance wise?

I was wondering about the oil pan too, I know the Ls2 is the smaller pan but what did you run?

[specsix]

I just kept the LS1 f-body pan on there. I notched it just like everyone else did that uses that pan. My original post had photos, but CaptainMorgan's gallery is no longer there. I cut the entire back off, reinforced the sides and bottom and its been perfect. None of the paint I have on the notch has cracked due to stress.