Its Time: Danhtao's Engine Swap Announcement

Ok guys, time to let the cat out of the bag. I've been planning to do the Chevy V8 engine swap into the FC for the past year. To be honest, its one of the reasons why I bought the FC in the first place last year. The other reason is that the 86 was wrecking hell on my back while I was doing commute.

So yea, so far, I got the Granny's Speed Shop Conversion kit, complete with engine cradle, mounts, tranny cross member, new radiator, driveshaft, etc. After calling the BAR, and talking to a Ref, a Vortec Truck engine won't be legal, so after much deliberating, I've decided to just go the cookie-cutter LS1 engine swap. I'm planning on using a 4l60e automatic transmission. And don't give me any slack about my tranny choice, I still have another 3 years or so of commuting for school. My left leg is starting to wear out on me in stop go traffic in the bay. I can still touge in an auto. Especially with 300 hp on tap.

I'm gathering all of the parts right now, and with a new infusion of cash from financial aid, I'm planning on buying everything that's left in one fell swoop. I am going to pick up a T2 rear on Sunday, I have an engine and tranny lined up. Got a few other things to buy, like the accessories, belts, etc.

I want to do a big 3 day bbq/meet at my place to get everybody together, to hang out, to have extra hands helping with the work. Friday, Saturday, Sunday I'm thinking. Originally, I was anticipating on doing this last weekend of April, the 25, 26, 27, but I don't have enough time to get everything together. So I'm aiming for the first weekend of May, the 3rd, 4th, 5th. We'll see what happens.

Its to the point now that I'm making up a complete work-flow chart, with detailed instructions. The 13b engine and tranny removal shouldn't take long. Rear subframe replacement, easy. Engine bay clean up, conversion kit installation, and preparations for wiring, no problem. Chevy engine and tranny installation, straight forward. The big thing is just wiring, but I have multiple walk throughs for all of that.

It shouldn't take longer than 2 days to do everything, and I would love to make this to be a 209forum community event.

Once I get the engine purchase worked out, I'll be able to set a date for sure.

What do you guys think?

danhtao wrote:What do you guys think?

Get a manual transmission!

har har

I will do what I can to meet you guys out there for a day or so! Be fun to get my hand duuurty with a swap.

yeah sounds like fun... auto on a touge???? that's kinda dangerious due to the fact it's harder to controll your motor.. but over all it should be fun i'm down... count my shop meet out. dosn't seem like everyone is up for it anyways.

its just timing sambo.
i've been bugging people about this for a while.
everybody would shop up at your place whenever you're ready for it

well if ur aiming for may 3ish..i wont' bve in town.

but the week after that i think i can swing by.

it's cool.. i'mma kick it with the lodi custom chopper for we were gonna have a suprise joint meet . but it's cool. i would much rather swap a v8 into a fc............ hahaha dont worry about it.. we'll have plenty of popo safe meets at my shop.

Im always willing to help but ya gotta come get me cause my car is in pieces and also I dont know crap about this car stuff

i need the car done by the 2nd week of may for school.
i have complete faith that the car would be up and running by then.

have you started taking it apart?

i'm thinking of starting the engine removal process on the 2nd or 3rd of may.
i need to secure the majority of the parts before i make my final commitment. the engine and tranny should be secured by monday. (Thanks Tony!)

oh, here's a primer for everybody to read whose interested in helping
http://members.tripod.com/~grannys/2ndgeninstructions1.html

hehehe... someone just left a v8 chevy motor in my backyard to throw into my corolla hehe

i'm going to cancel on my clinic shifts for next week, so i can just work on the car.....

its only overtime...

ok... pics are coming up soon.
i got the engine..
i still got some parts to source out, but the big things are done..
now all i really need is to secure the t2 rear end.

ok... what i need to do
Check alternator, decide to buy new one or not.
check to see if the obd2 port is on the wiring harness
buy a fc oil cooler from pnp
buy taurus fan from pnp
buy radiator control relay
buy radiator hoses
buy heater hoses
buy oil filter relocation kit
buy KN Filter
source MAF
source intake piping
buy 4 o2 sensors
buy walbro 255 fuel pump
buy fuel pressure regulator at Napa
buy fuel line hoses (global)
buy braile battery with tie down
FIX or replace fuel level sender
buy HP Tuners program
buy stuff for carputer
new spark plugs and wires
Shifter


that's really not too much left.
the big purchases are done.

now i'm starting to itch, haha.
should i wait for next week? or should i just start now? lil things now?

so when are you gonna start on it? i'm off today thru friday. back to work on sat, so hit me up if you're gonna start on it

i can probably get some o2 sensor.. i get allot of them... via my work..

Today: I've purchased
Alternator - 140
Starter - 130
Water Pump 180
Assorted Heater Hoses 60
How to build high performance LS1s - 18
Assorted bolts - 100
Fuel Pressure Regulator 50
LS1 Installation Guide - 13

wickity wickity yap yap hekka tyte yo

once again.....you people have too much money.
USDM tight!

i'm starting tomorrow!!

oh, to add to the list
t2 rear end, 330

ok, so i don't clutter up the board, this is gonna be my master thread.

here's pics
http://picasaweb.google.com/danhtao/080429RX7EngineSwapDay1



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lmao i love the one with me jumping out of the engine bay.. taaadaaa!!!!! happy birth day big boy.

oopse.. sambo here^^

Swap will be completed by Saturday.

the only thing stopping us is bolts.
of all things.

Updated pics. POST NOW!