1968 Camaro LS1 swap

Kaybug · Oct 8, 2023

Hi Everyone,
First post, and I already have a bunch or question!
I am planning to swap my 68 from a 383 SBC 4 speed muncie to a LS1 with a 4L80E floor shifter.
I have seen a few swap from the pass (2011) but nothing up to date.
I want to know of some sure fit parts for the swap ie.
Mount plates, motor mounts, crossmember and headers.
I am on a budget so the high valve products which I understand will bolt right up are not an option!
I hope the thread is in the right place.

Thanks,
Kaybug

Vega$69 · Oct 8, 2023

I can offer this. Review your budget again and double what you’ve budgeted to do the swap less the engine and transmission. That will put you close to what it will actually cost.

Kaybug · Oct 8, 2023

Thanks Vega$69

copo9560 · Oct 8, 2023

Just curious why you would want to swap from 383 to LS1? Nothing about the 4L80e is budget friendly.

Vega$69 · Oct 8, 2023

copo9560 said:
Just curious why you would want to swap from 383 to LS1? Nothing about the 4L80e is budget friendly.

I’m a total LS guy. But unless something is wrong with the 383 why swap? The LS1 is only 350/350 in stock configuration.

Kaybug · Oct 9, 2023

copo9560 said:
Just curious why you would want to swap from 383 to LS1? Nothing about the 4L80e is budget friendly.

Hi Copo,
1. I have the long block 5.3 and the 4L80E available.
2. The 383 with Q-Fuel carb constantly "bickers", probably the cam is way to big for my just wanting to crusie (the engine was in the car), and I want the ease of power and once it's all said and done, the dependability of the EFI.

Thanks

Kaybug · Oct 9, 2023

Vega$69 said:
I’m a total LS guy. But unless something is wrong with the 383 why swap? The LS1 is only 350/350 in stock configuration.

Hi Vega,
You being a LS guy, you probably understand my comment to COPO.

Vega, do you have any suggestions to the parts I mentioned?
Plates, mounts and crossmembers....?
(I want to know of some sure fit parts for the swap ie.
Mount plates, motor mounts, crossmember and headers....)
Thanks again! 👍

copo9560 · Oct 9, 2023

I had an LS1 in a Gen 4, great engine but the later variants made more power. Very reliable and good mileage too. I understand the desire to change but make sure to plot out all the costs first.

If budget is controlling, a cam swap on the 383 along with throttle body EFI will be a lot less $$. A long block 5.3 will require a lot of items including harness and an ECU that can also drive the tranny.

copo9560 · Oct 9, 2023

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Kaybug · Oct 9, 2023

copo9560 said:
I had an LS1 in a Gen 4, great engine but the later variants made more power. Very reliable and good mileage too. I understand the desire to change but make sure to plot out all the costs first.

If budget is controlling, a cam swap on the 383 along with throttle body EFI will be a lot less $$. A long block 5.3 will require a lot of items including harness and an ECU that can also drive the tranny.

I have read a lots of you guys post and have done quite a bit of research as to what will be needed to make the swap, but I don't think all used or I hope that someone successfully swap without having to use parts like Holley and co kits.
I just would like to keep the price down were possible.
I really want or plan to make the swap, I'd hope someone had some insight on some of the parts I mentioned.

DOUG G · Oct 10, 2023

You can do it cheaper than the kit, but a lot more leg work and time searching with maybe mod'ing some stuff.

Then you may end up buying parts twice due to things not working together (kits are supposed to be one and done)

3d cad · Oct 10, 2023

If what you are hoping is that you can spend a day in good u-pull-it junk yard and come up with the right parts to just bolt in the combo you have .... you wont. You are going to need fab skills, access to machine tools, welders and material. It still won't be cheap. The LS engine was developed somewhat without regard to what it needed to be bolted into and the vehicles that used it were manufactured to accommodate it. Our first gens aren't on that list.

Pro Stock John · Oct 10, 2023

I have a FB group for LS First Gen Swaps if you don't get enough info from the forums:

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

I can only partially help since I am running a TH400 and a turbo setup, but I run Dirty Dingo motor mounts, have engine set back an inch. I run a 5.3 and run a Holley 302-2 oil pan.

Do you plan to run heat, ac, power steering?

Vega$69 · Oct 10, 2023

The stock LS 5.3L is around 320 HP

To achieve the same power that a 383 has will require mods. At least heads and cam. If you are planning on using a used drop out doing heads and cam will lead to other costly work.

The pan on the 5.3 will not work
The intake will not fit under the hood
The accessories will not work
The engine wiring harness will need to be modified or replaced with aftermarket
The Fuel system will need modified or replaced
The Cooling system will need modified or replaced
The transmission will be tight to the tunnel and may need tunnel modification and clearances for the coolant lines plus you’ll need the required fittings and lines.
Your current rear rear gear ratio may not work well with the 4L80E
The least expensive Components are the mounts and adapters to drop the engine in the car.

It’s the rest of the stuff that adds up.

Kaybug · Oct 11, 2023

I understand, that’s the reason I wanted to know what you guys are using. I have done some research in this forum and have a pretty good idea about what’s all involved, really wanted see if someone could share there actually experience.

Kaybug · Oct 11, 2023

Pro Stock John said:
I have a FB group for LS First Gen Swaps if you don't get enough info from the forums:

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

I can only partially help since I am running a TH400 and a turbo setup, but I run Dirty Dingo motor mounts, have engine set back an inch. I run a 5.3 and run a Holley 302-2 oil pan.

Do you plan to run heat, ac, power steering?

I seen Dirty Dingo, oil pans 302- mentioned a few times, were you able to use the same crossmember? Just curious, I know it doesn’t apply to my plans.
I have PS, I’d like to set things up for heat&ac.
Turbo! That sounds like a lot of fun!

Kaybug · Oct 11, 2023

3d cad said:
If what you are hoping is that you can spend a day in good u-pull-it junk yard and come up with the right parts to just bolt in the combo you have .... you wont. You are going to need fab skills, access to machine tools, welders and material. It still won't be cheap. The LS engine was developed somewhat without regard to what it needed to be bolted into and the vehicles that used it were manufactured to accommodate it. Our first gens aren't on that list.

I understand it won’t be a walk in the park. Just asking for your experiences.

Kaybug · Oct 11, 2023

DOUG G said:
You can do it cheaper than the kit, but a lot more leg work and time searching with maybe mod'ing some stuff.

Then you may end up buying parts twice due to things not working together (kits are supposed to be one and done)

I understand, that is why I am asking you all about your experience so I can minimize that from happening.

Vega$69 · Oct 11, 2023

To answer your question.

Since LS Swaps 1st started the parts availability has evolved to make the decision making process easier. My 1st swap was a LS7 T56. I did this swap 10 years ago. At that time it was not near as easy as now. It took a lot of research and mix and matching parts to put it all together.

As I did more, companies offerings continued to improve selling kits that enabled builders to bolt on and drop is LS engines to different makes and models.

Now in my opinion is this is the best way to go.

Holley has it all put together. Including the adapters, mounts, oil pans, fuel system, accessory drives, headers etc. all engineered to fit and work well together.

Trying to save a few bucks? Yeah I understand. Lots of guys have been successful doing budget build mix and match. Most after doing so wish they could have, as you can now, just gone the kit route to save the time, frustration, added fabrication, and yes often buying parts more than once.

1967-1969 Chevrolet Camaro LS Swap Parts - Holley

www.holley.com

Other companies also offer conversion kits. I would compare them side by side and dollar for dollar.

As I mentioned earlier. The engine and the transmission are the least expensive parts. It’s everything else that adds up when doing a swap.

3d cad · Oct 11, 2023

My build was done off the parts shelf. I used a lot of Holley stuff. It all worked as advertised. I think that's a Austrian flag I see on your posts. I can see why you are looking for cost containment. As John mentioned above go with a mounting setup known to work and get rid of that variable. To me tunnel fitment is your next biggest hurdle. Once you have the driveline installed correctly the rest is just details. There are many and they can be expensive. These are what you need to identify and cost contain.

1968 Camaro LS1 swap

Kaybug

Vega$69

Kaybug

copo9560

Vega$69

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copo9560

New Sniper EFI, Distributor, Cool, Ignition Box....

Kaybug

DOUG G

3d cad

Pro Stock John

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1967-1969 Chevrolet Camaro LS Swap Parts - Holley

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