Vette VX

[VX922]

Drive shafts should not be a problem there is a great number of OEM components to built just about any shaft. I would most likely go with custom manufactured aluminum or composite shafts and make old shafts garage sale item.
Precise shaft balancing is mandatory becose 4.3 axles ratio.
TOD might be a week point of this setup, I can see burned clutches already! I think that complete manual xmission out of a GMC 4x4 together with manual hub locks might be a better choice.
In this conversion the overall gear rations need to be examined against torque curves of the LT1.

DANA

[skunkworks]

Swaps are no big deal if you have the time and money/abilities. I have put small blocks in a Toyota p/u and a CJ-7 and built many street rods. Most anything you might need is available in the aftermarket as a direct fit or with modification. However, in this day and age you have to be mindful of your emmission laws. If you have mandatory tailpipe testing in your area, or the prospect of it being put in place then your VX could be illegal to drive on the street or license. According to CARB rules which most states and feds copy, if the receiving vehicle is covered by emission regulations, no matter how clean it is, before it can be tested the swap has the meet several critiera. First the new motor has to be the same year or newer than the vehicle. Second the motor needs to be of the same family as the veihcle. I.E. no Ford into Chevy ect. Now, with the Hombre being sold as an Izuzu, a 4.3 would be legal but not another GM motor not sold as a Izuzu.

If you can get past all this, then you go to arbitration and are then at the whim of a bureaucrat. There is also this old thread. Good luck.

http://myweb.cableone.net/bcanderson...uroraSwap.html

albert
________
extreme q

[SGT.BATGUANO]

You might be!

If you have the opportunity, try to look at the different blocks with all accessories bolted on. Some keep accs'ys. low and others high.

Sometimes you can get around the emmissions by claiming "off-road or show vehicle". Usually you have to prove it by having that kind of insurance and/or appraisal . If you drive it daily, keep a current list of car shows in the vehicle.

[VX922]

Very good points skunkworks!
The VX in it's present format is not green by any measure. The LS1 (LT1) is clean burning engine as a result of GMC corporate policies from years back. As a result of the conversions I would expect better fuel economy and lover tailpipe emissions. Will it pass red tape regs? I don’t know but I would hate to see all the conversion affords to go to waste bexose some shortsighted government regulation.
In my area (temp. Edmonton Canada) unfortunately no regs at all.
I thing that the challenge is to convert with respect to all DOT, EPA and other applicable agencies. Conduct "bolt on" practices as much as possible and allow for possibility to revert the conversion (thus no cutting torch allowed!).
I hope our respectable friends realize that extends of this project if executed properly, is no less than 12mo for tree shade mechanic like myself. However It would be a noticeable contribution to our micro community to produce a LS(T)1 conversion kit.

VX922
PS: I love those project challenges

[coachreed]

Well, no tail pipe sniffing test goin on here in Missouri... nor do I expect it to happen anytime soon. I don't think its gonna be a problem. I also believe that this mod WILL make for a more efficient, cleaner running rig... of course, I could be wrong. I don't plan to bring too much attention to the project when it comes to government agencies... and I DON'T plan to move to CA... so with that being said... if Advanced Adaptors (AA) comes back with a good reply... I'M IN! Put me down as a seriously commited (or maybe commitable) fool!

VX922-
How goes your plans? Are you ready to start wrenching?! Keep us all informed. I personally might start wrenching on my rig on Tuesday... even if I don't get the good word back from AA, my motor STILL needs to vacate my engine bay... cuz it aint healin' on its own! It's been three weeks now and I haven't even turned a wrench on it... time to get to work!

Later!

[coachreed]

OK guys... I'm kinda committed now... just bought this! Oh, and I also bought his transmission... and I'm getting the harness that he had later said he wasn't including. Soooo... I guess what I'm trying to say is... I HAVE to get'er done now! lol If not... I'm out about $3250! lol I will start turning bolts today/tonight... and will hopefully have the transfer case and tranny out from the bottom by the end of the week. If all goes well, the seller of the motor will be meeting me on Sunday to make the transfer... stay tuned over the next couple weeks as I start this rediculous voyage! Anyone wanna come to Kansas City and have a little wrench session? I've got a couple different spare bedrooms (bunk beds in one and queen in another) if you wanna come! I'll post pictures as things come out... which reminds me... MEMO TO ME: CHARGE CAMERA BATTERIES!

Later!

Coach!

[Cyrk]

SWEET, too F'n cool... Keep us posted!
Good luck & yes take lots-o-photos
-Dave

[VX_PA]

As the saying goes:

"Watch that first step, it's a doozy."

I really wish I had ventured down this road two months ago. What an exciting adventure!?! Good luck, let the wrench gods shine down on you.

[coachreed]

Originally posted by VX_PA
"Watch that first step, it's a doozy."

Not to mention I'm not one to check the depth of the water before diving in head first... oh well... live and learn! Maybe I'll get luck.

TTYL!

Coach!

[lowzone]

As far as the 4.3L being sold in the Hombre and the only GM C.A.R.B allowance, you forgot about the 1st gen trooper v6 (2.8L uggggggghhh) gm motor and the 3.1L in the 91-92 Rodeo and 91-94 Pup 4x4s.....anyway...im stuffing a 1989 Caprice 9c1 350 v8 police motor in my 1992 Isuzu Pup 4x2. The wiring harness is soooo simple to swap over its not even funny. You can get a wiring harness for the engine from Painless wiring or Howell Engineering for under 425.00 that is a stand alone unit. You plug in the harness to the motor and to the ecm, throw 12v from the ignition switch to it and VRRRRROOOOMMMMMM. You already have Fuel Injection so the TPI unit already has enough fuel pressure. The motor mounts will need to be fabbed and if you want to keep the 4wd, just need a 700r4 trans or 4L30E (4L60E also) and a GM transfer case and custom length drive sahfts (about $60 each to make). The hardest part about this swap is getting the motor to fit in the engine bay, keeping the A/C, which brackets can be made to adapt the Isuzu compressor to the GM block. Cooling might be an issue as well, but not of this can't be solved, with enough time and effort this swap is not as hard as some people would imagine. Kudos to you and good luck with the swap.
Regards
A HUGE Isuzu fan
Ron

[Joe C]

Originally posted by coachreed
The first technical problem that I had hoped to find a cure for today was the transmission... the easy route for this project (with LS1) will be with the 4L60E transmission... the question lies with whether or not I can mate the TOD transfer case to this tranny... or should I say, how HARD it will be to do.

Sounds like a cool project, I have a bit of a soft spot for the LT1 myself. I have a couple of defunct 4L60E trannies, one for a LT1 and one for a LS1. The LT1 one is missing the tailshaft housing and both have had parts scavenged off of them. They might be helpful to you as far as mocking up mounts, making bolt pattern adapters, etc. You can have either one of them for the cost of shipping. I can strip the innards out to minimize shipping costs.

[coachreed]

Originally posted by Joe C
Sounds like a cool project, I have a bit of a soft spot for the LT1 myself. I have a couple of defunct 4L60E trannies, one for a LT1 and one for a LS1. The LT1 one is missing the tailshaft housing and both have had parts scavenged off of them. They might be helpful to you as far as mocking up mounts, making bolt pattern adapters, etc. You can have either one of them for the cost of shipping. I can strip the innards out to minimize shipping costs.

Thanks for the offer, but I'll have the engine and transmission in my grubby little hands on Sunday if all goes well. If not, it will be before your case would get here... but THANK YOU very much!

TTYL!

Coach!

[VX922]

Hi All
I am not fading away, just too busy in other areas of my life. I will start the project sometimes in the spring. Most likely I will go with LS1 and auto transmission. I am bit excited, I put insurance on my VX and it had seen road after two years. It runs like swisswatch, but LS1 will do it really good.

VX922

PS: Good luck with your project Coachreed.

[VX922]

Final decision was made. Primarly becose the weight of LT1, significantly lighter LS1 goes in my VX. I am still aiming at mild 400 to 450F/W HPs.

[Dallas4u]

Good luck to the both of you!!! You guys are making me really jealous!