1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

I've working on my engine swap for about a year, slowly getting all my parts together before removeing the engine. For the past couple of months I have been really getting some goals accomplished. I've installed 2001 Corvette LS1, left the oil pan (BAT WING) installed. It fit great, like it was built for the truck! I have a 700R4 behind that with posi 411 gears. I'm working on the wiring and air conditioning. The ESM is under the dash next to the (OLD Air Product) AC unit. I have new wiring harness from America Autowire includes accessory wiring. Here are some pictures.

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Looks great! I was looking into putting an LS motor in my truck in the future. Do they bolt right up to all old style transmissions like th-350,400,t-5 etc. ? Or do you need an adapter plate?

thanks

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Yes, for the C5 LS1 (years 1999-2004) they bolt right up using a 700R4, 350 or 400, different fly wheel. If you get a newer motor you might want to use the transmission that comes with that year or an adaptor plate could be used, more reseach required. For some reason, the LS1 motor is and about 2 inches shorter that the original motor. Using the same bolt pattern on the frame for engine mounts. The transmission mount had to be redrilled and was moved on the frame, the drive line had to be lengthened also.

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Truck looks great. WHat AC comprssor mount did you use?

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

looks good!

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Awesome!!
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Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Looks fantastic!

I will take the old exhaust manifolds off your hands. :) Mine crumbled. :(

Steven

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

You made it look so easy! Wow, what a clean install - and I was excited about how you freshened up the engine compartment alone, then saw the LS in there! Looks VERY nice. Would love to see the whole truck!

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

That is a very nice installation :thumbs:

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

I used this kit for the AC compressor!
K10143 - CORVETTE LSX AC BRACKET KIT

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Thanks everyone. I will get some more pictures posted on the rest of the project!
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Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Nice and clean, looks great.

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Think I may be in love with this
http://bookstoday.info/go/smile.jpg
http://bookstoday.info/lo/sad.jpg

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

1966chevy,

That is was of the nicest engine bays I have ever seen. The LS1 looks right at home in there!

Bret

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Clean. Impressive!
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Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Very nice! I like your color choice on the inner fenders and the engine. The engine looks great, and the installation looks factory.

I'll be watching this thread, as I am very interested in putting an LS motor in one of my future projects.

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

You have done a Great job on the installation. I like it.

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

That thing is a beauty.
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Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

WOW, that looks good....

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

That looks great!

Can you describe what you did for motor mounts?

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

[QUOTE=davidb1;5749356]That looks great!

Can you describe what you did for motor mounts?

The Truck Shop "truckandcarshop.com" in Orange cal. Has a tubular set, that bolt to the same holes in the frame. You can choose to mount in forward or in the stock location. Either way you are going to have to deal with lengthening the drive shaft. I had to shave a little on the side weld was to big for the motor mount. I called to report it issue to the company. Who knows if it will go anywhere. They were power coated and I sealed the grind it with some Black POR15.
If you have a V8 you can use your same set, but I wanted to upgrade to the newer style motor mount.

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

nice job...i like it a lot...WOW

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

1966Chevy, thanks so much for the info and link!

I've been running my 305 V6 in my '64 waiting, stalling and procrastinating putting an extra LS2 in it for fear of dealing with the motor mounts.

Thanks again!

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Here are some more pictures of progress of my truck. I've been working on getting the wiring completed, gauges working. The computer is running all the original requested sensors and I’m running the original gauge sensors as well for the stock gauges. I swapped out the AMP gauge to Voltmeter from a 1980 Chevy truck. The clock is from a 73 Volvo already was quartz. I painted the face and add the Chevy bow tie. I also added AC, 'Old Air product' they have a stock looking of the controls, electronic. Check out the AC button, very inconspicuous. My computer is mounted the fire wall above the AC box, very tight. I had to shorten the Glove box, it only about 4 inched deep.

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Here are the pictures, I will post more later.

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

I also filled in the gas tank area with more storage, speakers and fire extinguisher. Molded the wood with fiberglass for the extinguisher and carpeted it. Hope fully the seats will go in this weekend.

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

I also molded some kick panels were the vents use to be. I will try to get some pictures posted of them.

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

WOW!
That looks great! I want to know more about:

The Clock.....you painted the face? Did you use a vinyl mask? How did you find the font and the correct color? It looks factory!

The Voltmeter conversion.......how difficult was the conversion? I have a few extra '73-'87 voltmeters in my stash. Great idea.

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Amp to voltmeter conversion was found here and it worked perfect.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4611415

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

As for the clock, I mixed some paint up and color matched it. The font was there I colored them in, then I painted the chevy Bowtie that was by hand. Built them in 2004. Then I stored it until 2013 when I had all the parts to install everything. Here are some pictures of the clocks. I made two and I sold the worst of the two years ago. I'm shocked I haven't seen it in a show or something.

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

This is the one that I sold. The one I installed in my truck has a chrome bezel and this one is painted silver. The one below had all the gauges, but didn't have a tach installed and it was the worst of the two that I built. Still look pretty good, through!

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

I also molded some kick panels or would say modified aftermarket panels, where the fresh air vents use to be. Here are some pictures. I removed the speaker pop outs which was at the bottom of the kick (you can kinda see the round portion a little bit) and I moved it up to the vent holes and closed in the top portion of the vent. Sanded it, used plastic filler, sanded it again spray it with primer, then textured paint and then painted it like the dash, flat black sealer. I attached the with a product I purchased at "Rod Doors" to hold door panels on. Worked great.
I close up the vents because I have new aftermarket AC and fresh air would affect the performance of the AC unit. No more fresh air, put the window down or turn the fan on.

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Very nice work :thumbs:

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Nice job, especially on the chevy emblem on the clock.

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Nice install.

Could you comment (sources and part # would much appreciated) on the engine perches, motor mounts and headers. Seems these are the problem areas in LSx conversions.

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Look on Page 1 of this thread on item #21 talks about it. If you need more let me know. Thanks

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

which lokar gas pedal unit did you use? I called them and they said they didn't have anything that would work on the 66. :(

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

I use the 67-72 brake pedal. It worked fine. I also called them to let them know they could change the description for 60-72 but they said they would look into it. LOK-BAG-6166

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Which steering column did you use?

Re: 1966 chevy truck engine swap to LS1
 

Ididit steering column and made it power at the same time. I used a 67-72 steering box and adapter plate.
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