LS Swapping a Thirdgen. The Parts I Used, And What I Would Recommend

[@lsxmatt]

For anyone new to my channel and is working on an ls swap! Im planning out a new video that hits on all this stuff and more with extra detail. Pretty much anything I missed thats required, including stuff in this video, will be touched on. Basically a full dry “walkthrough” on how to ls swap a thirdgen. Be sure to subscribe!

[@XJlover90]

Hey thanks for the info Could you tell me what paint color that is?

[@lsxmatt]

ToolmanHenderson wa388a, hyper blue metallic.

[@nessabush1986]

I’m thinking about a 4.8 with a few performance parts in my 86. Just can’t wait to get the build started. And I also can’t wait to paint my Camaro and it’s going to be blue too.

[@nessabush1986]

Also, an actual question, can you use the stock cold air intake with this or do you need something bigger?

[@arturols1]

I'm thinking of swapping my third gen so looking forward to the new video

[@rigobertogervacio223]

Nice camaro ray ramano

[@thefiascogarage3215]

This has to be one of the best 3rd gens I've seen. I bought a 4th gen to swap my first car that is a Maui Blue '87 IROC. The 4th gen turned out better than expected, so I kept driving it, and after going to car shows I got hooked on the Impulse Blue Metallic on the newer GTO's. I don't have build questions or idea's, just admiration for how awesome you made your car. It started as a cast off V-6 and turned into this? You sir, are a 3rd gen Wizard that made real things happen after I listened to the stupidity of "that won't work".

[@philllsxga.7737]

Nice clean swap. In my opinion I think the IROC Z is the best looking Camaro ever!!

[@billybiker5712]

You mean the third gen and yes i agree sexiest camaro ever made

[@k00lkidz4]

I prefer the berlinetta starship

[@marked4death076]

Definitely 3rd gen done right is the meanest lookin ride ever

[@Ericlmarwalker1]

I like the 94 body

[@Ericlmarwalker1]

But not the catfish model

[@joshuavera4547]

Thanks for providing links, engine bay is looking good btw badass third gen you have there

[@jamesatkinson5903]

1. Clean she is a beauty! 2. Subbed. 3. I know Ray Ramano was a sports writer and sports guru. But I just learned he is a subject matter expert on all things LS! 4. Awesome job Matt.

[@fabsmith3302]

Gorgeous car and perfect blue and clean engine bay with a bright green battery to throw it off

[@lsxmatt]

Fabsmith yea i need a black and blue delco battery when that one goes south.

[@cave.dweller.mediocrates]

Batteries go in the back very nicely on 3rd and 4th gen cars. Relocation is usually one of my first mod's. Cleans up engine bay room to put the air box on the passenger's side, also, which helps with routing. I noticed his upper rad hose and intake are very close to belts.

[@russelltaylor3282]

You’re insite is incredible. Thank you for the detail!

[@chriswyatt6147]

I've got a 82 z28, first year of this body style of car, mine has a Lt1 in it came out of a vette, got the Holley 4 on it, the reason I like this Camaro very close on interior and body style, they didnt really change much in the 80s and mid 90s, this is a beautiful example of a Camaro, great color, only thing I'd do different is get a three piece louver to go on ths back window, but glad to see a guy 15 years younger than me fall in love with what I did in 94.

[@jimcatanzaro7808]

The hardest part of my swap because I have a 84 berlinetta was the dash conversion it has all the gauges from a a 2002 Tahoe now looks great but a lot of work

[@marolsx874]

Just in love with ur thirdgen bro its so clean i cant wait to make my iroc ls swap a reality! Thanks for the great info!!

[@85irocnc]

Have to admit im not an LS Fan but this video makes me want to do the same to my car. Great video and explanation on what you did...your thorough and it shows how much you know. Great job Matt...keep it up!

[@christopherstevens2333]

I'm wanting to do my 85 camaro like yours is glad you made this video man

[@anthonyingram2146]

Just wanted to let you know I absolutely think this is perfect.

[@outlawMrTuff]

sweet car!!! u box the cross member after u cut it for the oil pan? i hope so.. i bought my 82 for $600, sat for almost 15 years. lil over 100000 mi. (v6 4 speed ) put a 82 4 bolt main 350 carburated motor in it, with a 350 turbo trans. early 80s 4 core vet rad. home made straight pipes .. used the stock gauges. welded in the eng mounts. and built a mount bracket were the old one hooked up to the old stock tran from the rear end.. ran it to the cross member. cut n welded the hood . car still looks stock . best daily driver ever....

[@carlos64030]

Very nice informative video! I have a 1991 Trans Am GTA that I'm contemplating on LS swapping.

[@Mr.Frost181]

Great video on the LS swap I have a 5.3 in my 86 monte Carlo SS

[@aodhanbaker8971]

your engine bay is so clean

[@anthonyhart6723]

This engine bay is beautiful, this is exactly the look im wanting for mine.

[@williamdiego7218]

Found a third gen that’s super clean but with a blown motor, never done a swap before. Sounds like a fun project just putting a truck LS in one.

[@bigchungus-oj8zz]

Idk if you still have this car or monitor this channel, but thank you to the moon and back. Swapping an ‘01 Vortec from a Tahoe into an ‘84 Berlinetta.

[@kevin122759]

Here is a list of what I did to mine. Volant CAI, Crank bolt, valve cover gasket, head gaskets, head bolts, front cover gasket, oil pump and seal, 102 mm throttle body, custom ECM and TCM tune. 46 lb injectors, 2600 stall torque converter, Match port polish existing heads 2.02 intake, 1.57 exhaust. Johnson roller lifters, Texas speed cam 600 lift, 220 duration. 111LSA. JBA long tube ceramic coated headers, high flow cats and resonators. FAST 102 intake. My goal was to make the LS2 be as much as it can be without forced induction or nitrous. Setbacks are altitude (a mile high) and drivetrain loss. I figure 30% at least. The car dynoed at 420 torque and HP. At sea level it would be close to 500 hp to the wheels on motor alone. I feel adding forced induction things will start breaking. Trans, axle halfs, driveshaft, etc. 06 Pontiac gto.

[@rogue6525]

This has been my dream car for about 15 years and I’ve wanted to LS swap one as well

[@cave.dweller.mediocrates]

Very nice car! I love the color. It's classy. I have an 83 Z-28 H.O. with an iron Vortec setup, a 91 Formula with the factory 5.0L, and planning an 87 T/A build for an aluminum LS. Thanks for giving the tip about the PSI harmess!

[@kamranetemad7006]

fantastic presentation.thank you.i bought a 82 4 cyl camaro 10 years ago.and it is being up dated since.found a 99 pontiac formula smashed from behind to front of doors. took eng .trans and dash and front end and wireing transfered it to my car very labor intensive.but worth every min of labor.sold it to son in law.

[@phantom0456]

Beautiful third gen. They’ve always been one of my favorite Camaros, and it looks like you did a fantastic job with your car. I’d get one with t-tops since I’m partial to them, but you’ve definitely got better chassis stiffness with the fixed roof.

[@Billy-gh9ih]

T tops are nice till you bust it out twisting the body

[@stevenramos250]

I think this is by far the best explanation of putting a ls in a 3rd gen camaro. Thank you for such a informative video. Car looks beautiful by the way.

[@3rdGenGuy]

good video lotta money and time ha ha i'd ditch the stock steering shaft and strut mounts though. stock ones are junk

[@boomboom2673]

omg, man, that car looks so good, the engine looks good in there

[@davidlsteinwinderii3331]

Very good, Just beginning to plan the SWAP but I didn t hear about the rear end. Thx enjoyed the show.

[@michaelrobinson3127]

That is one of the nicest camaro's of that gen I have seen. Very clean and the color is killer !

[@Dartht33bagger]

Damn that engine bay is open and tidy. I wish my stock engine bay was that open.

[@atomicspeedgarage]

Thinking of doing one of these after my Nova, you have a really clean car now great job.

[@jimmycline4778]

Awesome car, the only changes I would do is, change that steering wheel, remove LSX emblems on outside and dash and put IROC emblems or Z28 in those places, and put the big IROC Z emblems on it , put them to the rear of the doors, those decals are bad azz! A lot of people don’t know what Z28 stands for Z is Zoom, 2 is 2door, 8 is V8!

[@buddystringer4084]

Man , u did a excellent job with ur LS swap and explaining the steps u did to get it done also the parts u used and on ur choices wish I had u around this wood be easy I’m doing a 1985 IRoc z28

[@DMD81773]

When i did my truck i bought a factory coolant sensor for the truck. Ground it down to the proper size and rethreaded it for that hole.

[@michaelwittke8336]

FYI, with regard to PCM connector "colors", Red & Blue PCM connectors cover (most) 1999 to 2002 4.8/5.3/6.0, Red and Green cover (most) 2003+ 4.8/5.3/6.0. As for harnesses go, I pin-out the stock one, takes about an hour and a half. That $500 would get a guy a GT45 turbo, waste gate, intercooler & piping

[@HATER506]

Very nice car. I love how you kept it looking like a 3rd Gen as much as possible.

[@lsxmatt]

Yes! Lmao I refuse to install those led or halo headlights😂

[@HATER506]

I used to have an '88 Iroc with a weak TBI 305. Then I got an '89 Firebird Formula 350 with TPI. Man I miss that car. Should never have sold it.

[@carlosgraciano402]

You became true one of my biggest wishes, swap a Camaro of that generation with a Ls motor, congratulations.

[@vandettabuilds6641]

Everything you post is so informative it’s awesome I just want to thank you and I have used a lot of your advice in building my 1992 Camaro!!!

[@j.houston9379]

This is awesome man and very much appreciated.. The money saving solutions you provide along the way puts our poor folk minds at ease about attempting this.. All 3rd gens deserve an ls I think and I've seen similar vids and read some summarized ls swap material but its usually sponsored content or someone with enough bank to buy a solution for everything.. But your run down seems to cover everything and I'll def be sharing it to anyone looking to do this.. Car is gorgeous btw.. Metallic blue is my favorite color on these and that 6th gen color takes it to another level especially with the black vette wheels... Mmhhmmm.. You've even got my small cowl hood.. You've got good taste for sure.. Thanks again man.. My son and I will def be referring to this later

[@emirakins1678]

Very Nice car, looks like it came factory with that motor.

[@Gleamoz]

I used to have a generation 3 I wanted to do something like this , but didn’t had the money nor the knowledge or experience. Beautiful vehicle machine. I had a 1990 RS.

[@jolynnland]

Honestly one of the best videos I’ve ever seen. Thank you for taking the time to do this.

[@nataschagc]

Thank you so much for this video, I am in the middle of LS swapping my 91 trans am and this was extremely informative! I subbed and am looking foward to more info on this swap you did!

[@nobodynate27]

Dude I’ve watched this time and time again! (In the process of ls swapping my 92 camaro) and oml your set up looks soo good I literally looks factory! Great freaking job man I would love to see in person some day!

[@practicalapplications8899]

I love this car! The blue is beautiful!

[@johnwilburn]

Good job and a great looking car. I swapped an LS1/T56 into a 1991 that had a 305/700R4 back in the day before there were swap kits. Not a bad swap and well worth the effort, but it has its share of thorns. once I swapped the hard brake line to the front of the crossmember, the oil pan cleared with no problem, but I had no room to run the exhaust. Mine hung even lower under the car. That LS1 is better than just about anything one can do with the old small blocks and the T56 is a world better than any transmission they came with.

[@88gnarkill]

John Wilburn what'd you do for. A slave cylinder mount on the firewall?

[@johnwilburn]

I took the cylinder and made a paper template of the mounting surface bolt and cylinder holes in the center, leaving the outside the full sheet. I took that and trimmed the outside to fit that diagonal line on the firewall from the outside, then taped that in the same place but on the inside of the firewall. That made for perfectly locating the two mounting bolt holes and the hole the cylinder goes through. The cylinder itself bolts flat to the firewall. While the factory used a sheet metal bracket that attached to the brake booster to mount the clutch cylinder reservoir, I just used a vacant bolt hole on the firewall that a lot of people use for the same thing. It’s in exactly the right spot for that.

[@wigletron2846]

Imo, the best way to do this is to buy a clean 3rd gen with any or no engine and a donor 4th gen LS1 car.

[@jayrios9676]

Hey man I just wanted to thank you for posting these awesome videos. I got a v6 third gen myself looking to swap it for an LS but I got a long road ahead of me.

[@85irocnc]

Wish i had the money to swap my 350 sbc to an LS engine. I really like the stock look vs my 4inch cowl hood. Nice Job buddy...sweet sweet ride

[@DntPk]

I just got my 3rd gen roller very little rust I'm excited to get started

[@AntardoTheGreat]

Sick build, i may be comming across a 3rd gen here soon also. This will all be useful knowledge

[@waynetate6940]

That's a really clean build. Very nice work.

[@MrBanditz28]

I love my '73 Camaro RS , I love my '99 Camaro Z28 , you sir have exactly what I would want if I owned a 3rd Gen Camaro. Great work , fantastic vid , and I tip my cap to you.

[@greenbeacon394]

So clean that almost looks OEM!👍🏻

[@thecameronrw]

Thanks for the video! I’m about to swap my 92 RS and this video will help a lot

[@rodneymiller4973]

I have the same car 92 Camaro RS I want to change over, dud did you do your swap yet? Please inform:[e-mail] or 731.697.2027

[@kevinbryant6459]

wow so awsome i have a 88 gta id love to do that with very nice job bro!

[@damnsilly666]

There is so much room in your engine bay, compared to my 90 305 RS. You can actually change spark plugs without too much trouble.

[@AutotuningChannel]

I'd like to swap my Firebird to LSX too... Good work!

[@batman-telephoneman5479]

Wow. Awesome build. Super clean and really mean.

[@jets8991]

Sweet ride man. Been looking for an iroc specifically to do a swap like this. Thanks for the video!

[@BigFuss131]

Nice ass f-body bro .... I will reference your info on my build! 👌🏽

[@RedBanksClassics]

Good job, very well executed. I need a 3rd gen now

[@Newburytuning]

Very well put together video I hope to own an ls 3rd Gen one day I have a lt1 4th gen now

[@jimcatanzaro7808]

Best thing to do is buy a 2000-2003 5.3ls with the whole truck or car running and use everything and use the 480le trans the 460le will not last and use the oil pan from elebrock

[@AllAroundAshton]

I tried skimming the comments for an answer, but couldn't find one. You link two types of headers, the e-bay set and the Hooker set, the Y-pipe you linked from Hawk's says it ONLY fits their headers. Specifically which headers did you use in your swap and I imagine the Y-pipe bolted right up, or did you have to modify it? By the way, this video is insanely useful, I'm a member on TGO as well and its kinda annoying digging through 50 threads to get 80 different answers on what parts to use and what not, so thanks for making it easy on us budget friendly guys!

[@lsxmatt]

Thanks for the support, and no problem! Those headers I used with the hawks y pipe. They are literally just Chinese copies, they fit the same way. The hawks y pipe fits them with no problem. I actually just ordered a new y pipe from hawks and some 1 7/8’s Ebay headers. I’ll have a video on the install in a few weeks.

[@voradethsayaloune768]

Thank you for such a detailed walk around and the time explaining pretty much everything needed!!! Awesome videos as always!!

[@dzim8822]

Looks beautiful. Great job on the swap.

[@NotAGarage]

Depending on what motor mounts you use you won't have to modify the k-member. I never had to modify the k-membet. I used a factory LS1 throttle cable and just made one single loop on it and it made a perfect tight fit to the throttle body to pedal.

[@musketballmatt6773]

What motor mounts won’t result in contact with k member

[@corvette89tpi]

Nice camaro , im in the process of doing the same thing but im using my stock rebuilt 700r4 and a holley terminator computer and harness. your car looks clean a lot nicer than mine.

[@ashtonwilliams6440]

Yo Matt, thanks for all the info man, really helps. Didn't know there was a difference between the truck heads and fuel system and whatnot between the different cars. Ready for my Iroc to get up and running here soon. Quick question though, where did you learn about wiring? May not be to hard for you but it's a quite daunting task for me! Lookin good as always and I can't wait for the suspension upgrade video to come out👌

[@dancharron7098]

WoW Thank you for this info, I am about to start that project in my 86 TA

[@forevercleandetail]

Thanks brother you've been a big help when it comes to the wiring harness I've already put in my order I called him thank you so much I have an 83 Z28 I had to order the drive by cable and the wiring harness

[@belizeburgess8452]

Seen it this morning , sounds great

[@SDKwarrior]

dream 3rd gen build right there. so damn clean man nice work

[@madeulook5872]

I like how if you keep the stock power on an LS. It'll get good mpg too.

[@malcolmandthebends2914]

Thanks this is a big help. Nice job on the build!

[@renecast5050]

Wow amazing job, I hope to build one one day, I will watch your video for the tips great Job, and great car 🚙 mad props!

[@jay-dee5.562]

BEAUTIFUL 3rd GEN, Bro😍👍🏽

[@czickert83]

Great video. I have a 92 third gen and want to do the same swap. You provided a lot of useful information.

[@ericmcginnis2097]

Beautiful camaro! Thanks people like myself who haven't yet taken on a project like this yet need all the info we can get. I plan on building a 3rd gen f body for my son. The corvette rims , rotors n calipers look great! I Love the car n the vidio

[@BackPainGarage]

I've had my 88 Camaro for 12 years now(first car) haven't driven it more than 500 or so miles in the last 6 or 7 years(total, not each year lol) but here soon I'm going to start collecting parts to do a 5.3 swap. My first item to hunt down is going to be an ls1 t56 since thats likely going to be the most expensive item. I'll be shickled titless if i can find a complete one for 1500

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

not gonna happen,its easier to find a totalled 4th gen.3-4 grand will get you a t56 that needs a rebuild

[@edjr.8298]

Ray Ramano!!! Great vid Ray.

[@carlosfrank1083]

Ok lm trying swap Throttlebody to Tuned portI have the computer with the wind wind look like spaghetti I mean can you help me out with some advice

[@mcalvert1000]

Siiiiick 3rd gen.

[@jeffreylieberman1668]

I was hoping that we would be able to see it drive around.

[@akelk1720]

Fantastic job on the engine swap

[@strikeforce4581]

I'm gunna start a 6.0 swap on my s15 when money allows due to the oil pump dying out in my 2.8 I plan on getting everything before I start the swap I just want everything cleaner then stock and bring the truck up where it deserves to be I plan on backing it with a 4l80e but I wouldn't mind a 6 speed auto just for the extra gear.

[@davebarron5939]

I have a complete 05 Chevy 1 ton van with 6.0 (out of an Avalanche) and 4 speed auto to swap out to an 88 Camaro. Hoped to use virtually ALL the electrics and components out of the van, except the air con, due to location.

[@lsxmatt]

Oh yea as long as you have everything, you can make it work no problem with the truck harness. I got my motor separate so I went with a retrofit harness instead.

[@davebarron5939]

Appreciate your vid and all the info. I am replacing the van (740,000 miles for work) and the body on the old one is shot, but eng. and trans are good, so wanted to do a 3rd gen for a while, so here we go. Thanks again.

[@davebarron5939]

Very helpful thanks. Especially all the little "finicky" details.

[@LNRRidez]

Looks good. My question is when did swapping LS motors into everything other than what they came in become a thing? I'm just now getting back into the car scene as my boys are getting old enough to be into it and man things have changed. Turning a 350 into a 383 stroker was thing to do back in my day.

[@brennonharmon9548]

Sweet ride man, I gotta 92 RS heritage and a gen 4 5.3 going in it, and hopefully a t56 but we’ll see what the budget says lol

[@Eury9819]

super clean looking at doing a swap like this but turbo 5.3 street/drag use thanks for the plentiful information

[@generalhighground5300]

I love what you've done with your car! This is all very helpful. I do have a question about the brakes though. When you put the new engine in it did you also upgrade the brakes? And if not, with the new engine would something like an ABS upgrade be possible? I've heard some people upgraded their Camaros to disc brakes all-round by using the parts from Corvettes from the same era, but no one ever mentions if they were able to carry over ABS as well. I am very much looking to make a daily out of a classic in the next two years and am doing all my homework now, including weighing up all my options when it comes to implementing more "modern" safety features. If you've got any input that would be awesome. Enjoy your ride!

[@grantfinley2672]

great review that's one informative video especially dealing with an iconic camaro .

[@transamriderql]

Gr8 vid Very informal good information im doing a 1990 GTA just bought a fitech Kit wont be in for a month and a 1/2 can't wait hope you covered everything I needed if not I'm sure the info you gave will be great I'm in Pittsburgh hope to honk at you some day

[@carlossimmons9004]

Did you change the cam in it , since the motor was built for a truck

[@billkerr2060]

Just came across this vid good vid now I know where to start thanks for taken the time to do the vid

[@WestcoastWrenchin]

Great looking setup, nicely done!

[@jasonscott6731]

Nice job sir, that car is awesome! You do nice work, I am doing a similar swap,just in the parts collection phase now, starting with an 88 5.7 G92 car, got a low miles 5.3 that I pulled from a driver, (I took everything as I didn't want to have to hunt stuff down ) I Have a t56 from a lt1 car that I was going to use but am keeping an eye out for an ls1 t56 just to skip the trans build. I'm in Canada so there is no free shipping, our dollar is only 60-70 cents on yours depending on the day, so parts are approximately 3 times as much as they are there and used stuff is beat or rusty. So it's a slow go. I really like the 91 stuff in your car ,didn't realize the gauges were digital and easy to use, and like the link to the harness,good idea if I can get it here under a grand. Like the Monte Carlo steering wheel too, looks sharp in a 3rd gen and feels nice. I'm using energy suspension engine mounts and fabing my trans crossmember, deleted a/c to make room for the super charger ( Paxton sn2000, modded) had it on the lt1 car it's fun. Anyway love your car , very similar to what I have in mind , thanks for the insight! You do good work!

[@brandoncoulter1951]

Nice!! That cavalier steering wheel tho lol

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

looks perfect

[@ramvanbobby3889]

Seriously I really do like this u did a nice job buddy