Calling engine swappers for help

[drvngstorm05]

I am swapping a LT1/T56 into my '92 rs and i want to ask for recommendations from guys w/ experience swapping engines. i need to know which is easier: swinging the engine and tranny in at once w/out the accessories on the engine, and putting the accessories on while it is in the car; or putting the accessories on the engine, putting in the engine, then bringing the tranny up from under? i took a look at it, and it doesn't look like the accessories will able to fit if i swing engine and tranny together. but if one of you guys have done this b4 and know that they fit, help would be excellent. if not, i need help on the first question

p.s. i have lt4 accessory brackets on the lt1 if that makes any difference on the fitting

[tinner]

I've never done THIS same swap I've done more than a few and I think that I'd swing the engine/trans in and then mount the accessory items.
Take your time and use a cherry picker type crane whatever you do and you won't regret it. Also figure that there is no such animal as the true 'bolt-in' so be ready to do a few things over if that what it takes to get things right. Also plan on at least a couple trips to the parts/hardware store.
Good luck-----

[1992RS]

Well I've never done it before but think about this, I think I might try it next time I do a swap. To get the Lt1, or ls1 doesn't matter out of a fourth gen the easiest thing to do is take it from the bottom. Disconect all the harnesses and hoses, driveshaft and torque arm and unbolt the K-member. Try putting it in like that. It can all go in at once.

[drvngstorm05]

Originally Posted by 1992RS

Well I've never done it before but think about this, I think I might try it next time I do a swap. To get the Lt1, or ls1 doesn't matter out of a fourth gen the easiest thing to do is take it from the bottom. Disconect all the harnesses and hoses, driveshaft and torque arm and unbolt the K-member. Try putting it in like that. It can all go in at once.

well i'm putting it in a third gen, would that make a difference? i think i may prefer going in from the top because i just put on about $2000 worth of suspension products on her and don't too much feel like taking them off, lol. has anyone ever put a engine/tranny in from the bottom of a third gen? is it easier or harder than swinging from the top?

[drvngstorm05]

well i just looked into it, and taking it out of the bottom would be impractical for me. i have my own cherry-picker so going to a shop and renting a lift along with a support would be more money than it is worth. thanks for the input guys

[TEXAS-HOTROD]

When I swapped an LS1 into a 99 Camaro, It had to come out from the bottom. The engine is set so far back into the firewall, there was no other way. It would be almost impossible to do it w/o a lift.
The earlier Camaros have so much room to work with it would be best to go from the top ( I don't think it would go in from the bottom anyway). If you could assemble the accessories on the engine while it is on the stand might save some time later on too.
Good luck man,
---TEX---

[drvngstorm05]

Originally Posted by TEXAS-HOTROD

When I swapped an LS1 into a 99 Camaro, It had to come out from the bottom. The engine is set so far back into the firewall, there was no other way. It would be almost impossible to do it w/o a lift.
The earlier Camaros have so much room to work with it would be best to go from the top ( I don't think it would go in from the bottom anyway). If you could assemble the accessories on the engine while it is on the stand might save some time later on too.
Good luck man,
---TEX---

well my problem is i don't know if engine/tranny/accessories will fit into the car all at once from the top, i'm working w/ my dad on this project and he fears that the accessories will be in the way putting it in from the top. i don't want to put on the accessories, then see that they won't work and have to take them off again, just to put them back on after the engine is in the car. jw if anyone know whether or not everything has room to fit as one

[TEXAS-HOTROD]

With the radiator removed and the car high enough off the ground, I would think it would go. Need to find a good balancing point when lifting the assembly so it could be tilted down easily. Seems like I had to use a floor jack under the tail shaft to help roll it back on one that I did.

[4onFloor]

i'd recommend putting your front excessories on, put the bell housing on, then put the motor in the car. a camaro isn't the best car to try to swing both an engine and a tranny in together. although it would probly be easier to get the tranny in with the engine out, but either way your going to have to fight the input shaft through the clutch disk. isnt the t56 an aluminum tranny? atleast it's not a 175lb cast iron peice a shit that i had to fight with when i had to change the clutch in my plymouth. rolling around on the floor with that bird on my chest.....

[drvngstorm05]

Originally Posted by 4onFloor

isnt the t56 an aluminum tranny? atleast it's not a 175lb cast iron peice a shit that i had to fight with when i had to change the clutch in my plymouth. rolling around on the floor with that bird on my chest.....

175! ouch... yea i am really lucky, i can practically handle the tranny by myself it's so light (just akward to carry). i would be screwed royally if i had a 175lb beast to mess with.