Dimensions.. 350TBI vs 5.3/6.0

[jekquistk5]

Before I get to carried away is there anything crazy different in the new ls motors as far as width and height? I plan on starting my frame build here soon but I want to make sure I have my bases covered before things get going. I do not have an LS motor yet, but plan to purchase one within the next year. I do not want to put the project on hold and would like to continue building with out the ls. So could I use my 350TBI motor to mock things up or is the LS going to have a funky width/height? Or is it just an inch here and there? Any specific areas that have tighter clearances in our frames?


Thanks

 

[76zimmer]

 

[jekquistk5]

Well look at that, now just to find a tbi schematic

 

[Babaganoosh]

 

[1979jimmy350]

the exhaust manifolds on the LS engines are what interferes most with the stock frame dimensions. And if you are planning on running AC the compressor is a little of a challenge

 

[jekquistk5]

No AC and probably do not mind notching the frame

 

[y5mgisi]

Dont need to notch the frame if you get manifolds off a F-body camaro. Some folks, like myself, get away with just using the normal truck manifolds. Others have to notch. I think it has to do with whatmotor mounts your using. For example, with my swap, i didnt touch a single thing at all on the frame. My frame is as it came from the factory.

 

[1979jimmy350]

Dont need to notch the frame if you get manifolds off a F-body camaro. Some folks, like myself, get away with just using the normal truck manifolds. Others have to notch. I think it has to do with whatmotor mounts your using. For example, with my swap, i didnt touch a single thing at all on the frame. My frame is as it came from the factory.

The truck manifold work if you have an auto trans, but if you are running a hydraulic clutch they will interfere with that. I am running headers from a F-body they fit but are super tight

 

[folkenheath]

Can you find a junk core for $100 or something? You could probably sell some of the parts off it and make money and have a mockup engine in the meantime.

And ditch the manifolds, they are the biggest factory choke on the engine, that and the cam. Go long tube headers fo sho!

 

[jekquistk5]

The truck manifold work if you have an auto trans, but if you are running a hydraulic clutch they will interfere with that. I am running headers from a F-body they fit but are super tight

I will be running an auto trans


Heath I thought of that but they want 400 for cores or about a grand for a motor ecm harness setup. I just can't justify spending a g for it to sit for possibly 2 years.

 

[folkenheath]

I will be running an auto trans


Heath I thought of that but they want 400 for cores or about a grand for a motor ecm harness setup. I just can't justify spending a g for it to sit for possibly 2 years.

I mean a junk core that can't be rebuilt. Go ask a machine shop if they have any cracked blocks or heads you can have.

 

[jekquistk5]

I mean a junk core that can't be rebuilt. Go ask a machine shop if they have any cracked blocks or heads you can have.

I guess I could do that. I priced out the plastic mock up motors but those are 400 bucks. I might as well just buy the damn motor. I just hate to have a motor sit for so damn long thats all.

 

[folkenheath]

My uncles chassis shop doesn't even use those expensive mockup motors, they just use junk old blocks and heads.

 

[jekquistk5]

I may just make the frame exact put my tbi motor in and start fabbing. I have a welder, a grinder, and access to a plasma. I'll make it fit one way or another.