Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Calendar
Go Back   NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds > Camaros, Firebirds and the People that own them > Member's Projects

Notices


Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 03-08-2014, 04:30 PM   #1
firebirdat
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 65
iTrader: (0)
1984 Trans Am LSX 5.3 Swap

Finally Starting a build thread, Started off with my 1984 Trans Am. Bought it off my parents in 2009 with 58,280ish miles on it the week before my senior prom at the age of 18. Bone stock LG4 with T5 drove it all summer back and forth to work and girlfriends house, even went drag racing at Island at the F-body vs Mustang night. Ran a pathetic 17second flat 1/4 mile. Week after that i started college, where the car sat parked for 4 and a half years because of a blown head gasket. In my down time at college i spent a lot of long nights drooling over LSX swaps on here, LS1tech, and thirdgen. Finally bit the bullet probably 6 months ago and bought a 5.3 from a 2003 Express Van. Halloween night i moved the car for the first time in 4.5 years to a rented garage to start the swap. Thats the story of my car. This is my first engine build, so be gentle and just looking for any help and advice from those who've done it before me. Heres some pics of the car when i first got it

Glen
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 100_1221.jpg (95.9 KB, 57 views)
File Type: jpg PDRM0012.jpg (98.0 KB, 63 views)
File Type: jpg PDRM0014.jpg (94.5 KB, 50 views)
__________________
1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 5sp
firebirdat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2014, 04:57 PM   #2
firebirdat
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 65
iTrader: (0)
As previously said the 5.3 LM7 came out a 2003 Express Van with a supposed 5600 miles on it. got it cheap, tore it down after sitting outside for awhile, to find pitting and water in cylinder number 7. Sent it out to Haledon auto parts and waited for a month, got it bored out 20 over, hot tanked, new freeze plug.

Specs on the motor:
LM7 5.3 bored out 20 over
Sealed power Main bearings
Sealed power connecting rod bearings
Sealed power speed pro pistons
Hastings piston Rings
Factory crank just polished and cleaned
F-body Oil Pan, wind age tray, pick-up tube and dipstick
Factory 5.3 heads
Comp Cams Custom Grind cam of 226/226 with 111LSA
Texas speed Chromeoly Pushrods
PRC .650 Dual Valve Spring kit
LS6 Oil pump and Timing chain
LS7 lifters
Stock rockers with Comp Cams trunnion upgrade
SLP 160 Thermostat
All new sensors

As for installing the motor in the car i have
LS1 F-body Clamshells
Hawks Motor mounts
Hawks T-56 Trans mount
LS1F-Body Electric Fans
Hawks"Budget" Stainless steel swap headers

Have loads of crap for this swap just cant remember it all right now. Onto the pics... How does one imbed the pics rather than doing file attachments but not having to worry about photobucket saying ive used up all my space or whatever it is they say?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 100_2055.jpg (95.2 KB, 37 views)
File Type: jpg 100_2040.jpg (96.7 KB, 46 views)
File Type: jpg 2014-01-11_23-43-43_494.jpg (90.8 KB, 34 views)
__________________
1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 5sp
firebirdat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2014, 05:02 PM   #3
firebirdat
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 65
iTrader: (0)
more pics. Sorry for the crappy cell pics, i have to upload them off the camera which is sitting in the battery tray right now
Glen
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 2014-02-04_19-35-45_253.jpg (81.0 KB, 26 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_20140301_125627756.jpg (86.4 KB, 23 views)
__________________
1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 5sp
firebirdat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2014, 05:32 PM   #4
V
Stalker
 
V's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,077
iTrader: (12)
Let me know what you think about the Hawks parts. I'm doing an ls1 swap soon and I was considering some of their stuff. But i was gonna do the spohn k member just to make it a little easier.
V is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2014, 05:33 PM   #5
sweetbmxrider
Meet Coordinator
 
sweetbmxrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,339
iTrader: (12)
Nice build. What are you doing for wiring and gauges?
__________________

Last edited by sweetbmxrider; 03-08-2014 at 05:34 PM.
sweetbmxrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2014, 05:58 PM   #6
Blackbirdws6
Lord of the rings / 10 Second Club / Meet Coordinator
 
Blackbirdws6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Millstone Township, NJ
Posts: 6,351
iTrader: (3)
Looks like a good time. Are you leaving it NA or looking to boost it down the road?
__________________

97 T/A Ram Air Convt
Forever dyno queen / 777rwhp 662 rwtq @ 17lbs / 10.2 @ 140

'24 Corvette Z06
17 Sierra 2500HD Dmax
81 Turbo TA
Blackbirdws6 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2014, 08:05 PM   #7
BonzoHansen
Admin.
 
BonzoHansen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 20,149
iTrader: (27)
cool swap and 84 was a good TA year. watch out for sinkholes lol
__________________
Vent Windows Forever!

The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand. Or so I have read.

Feather-light suspension, Konis just couldn't hold. I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors.

Hey everybody, it's good to have you on the Baba-too-da-ba-too-ba-ba-buh-doo-ga-ga-bop-a-dop
BonzoHansen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2014, 12:21 AM   #8
firebirdat
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 65
iTrader: (0)
Quote:
Originally Posted by V View Post
Let me know what you think about the Hawks parts. I'm doing an ls1 swap soon and I was considering some of their stuff. But i was gonna do the spohn k member just to make it a little easier.
So far the motor mounts are spohn pieces, quality seems real nice, got the black powder coated ones. As for fitment have yet to install them. Gotta clean my dirty cross member and bay, then trailer it to work to chassis save the engine bay and undercoat it. Would have like to do the tubular k-member but to keep it more budget friendly sticking it out with the factory one.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider View Post
Nice build. What are you doing for wiring and gauges?
As for wiring, been talking to the guys at PSI Conversion in Toms River. Haven't ordered the harness yet but plan to probably in the next couple of weeks.As for gauges looking at sticking it out with the factory gauges for the simple fact i like the looks of them but i know its probably going to be the hardest part of this build aside from finding a T-56

Quote:
Originally Posted by Blackbirdws6 View Post
Looks like a good time. Are you leaving it NA or looking to boost it down the road?
Looking to leave it NA for awhile, just trying to keep it a clean daily driver that looks factory.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BonzoHansen View Post
cool swap and 84 was a good TA year. watch out for sinkholes lol
ahaha thanks for the advice
__________________
1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 5sp
firebirdat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2014, 08:29 AM   #9
sweetbmxrider
Meet Coordinator
 
sweetbmxrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,339
iTrader: (12)
Have you checked out speartech?
__________________
sweetbmxrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2014, 12:04 PM   #10
greenformula92
 
greenformula92's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Brick, NJ
Posts: 1,868
iTrader: (1)
Looks like a fun build. And it should be fun once she's up and running
__________________
Formerly known as blk95formula
86t/a_ram_air on TGO

2018 Silverado 1500
greenformula92 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2014, 02:01 PM   #11
firebirdat
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 65
iTrader: (0)
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider View Post
Have you checked out speartech?
Looked into speartech, pricing is the major concern. from research on LS1tech, both have good reviews. Any experience with them or is it the same stuff just more money?

Quote:
Originally Posted by greenformula92 View Post
Looks like a fun build. And it should be fun once she's up and running
i hope so, definitely wont be disappointing if its got the same oomph as my silverado if not more
__________________
1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 5sp
firebirdat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2014, 03:30 PM   #12
sweetbmxrider
Meet Coordinator
 
sweetbmxrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,339
iTrader: (12)
Quote:
Originally Posted by firebirdat View Post
Looked into speartech, pricing is the major concern. from research on LS1tech, both have good reviews. Any experience with them or is it the same stuff just more money?
I only know of speartech from my friend's swap. It was well laid out, labeled, looks like oem, and they label the leads for gauges and power.
__________________
sweetbmxrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2014, 05:33 PM   #13
firebirdat
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 65
iTrader: (0)
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider View Post
I only know of speartech from my friend's swap. It was well laid out, labeled, looks like oem, and they label the leads for gauges and power.
Didn't know that! Will definitely look into them a little more
__________________
1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 5sp
firebirdat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2014, 09:33 PM   #14
firebirdat
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 65
iTrader: (0)
alright after months of little work here and there finally have some worthy progress. Engine is fully assembled minus intake. Finally got my hands on the Hawks budget stainless steel headers, battery tray cut-out and installed new sheet metal, as welll as painted, new brake lines run, chassis saved and undercoated underneath, bolted motor mounts in, and plopped an engine in. Progress is a little slow because of work, but mostly because of money, but you know what they say if you cant afford to do it right the first time you cant afford to do it a second time. Now onto the goodness known as pictures.













__________________
1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 5sp

Last edited by firebirdat; 06-02-2014 at 09:59 PM.
firebirdat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2014, 10:03 PM   #15
firebirdat
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 65
iTrader: (0)
pictures continued...




















__________________
1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 5sp
firebirdat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2014, 10:13 PM   #16
ar0ck
Resident Camera Guy
 
ar0ck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 10,971
iTrader: (2)
Social Networks:

What did you end up using to coat the underside? Progress looks great!
__________________
ar0ck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2014, 07:45 AM   #17
TAdan
 
TAdan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Warren, NJ
Posts: 332
iTrader: (3)
Nice looking 84, the body really reflects the low mileage. Glad to hear you'll be keeping the stock look.

Good job on the engine compartment and undercarriage. Cool project, I look forward to watching your progress.
__________________
1984 Trans Am
(And a few more)

The 1982-1984 Firebird Zone:
www.early3rdgen.com/forums
TAdan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2014, 12:51 PM   #18
greenformula92
 
greenformula92's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Brick, NJ
Posts: 1,868
iTrader: (1)
Looking good man
__________________
Formerly known as blk95formula
86t/a_ram_air on TGO

2018 Silverado 1500
greenformula92 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2014, 06:03 PM   #19
BigAls87Z28
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: West Long Branch
Posts: 13,598
iTrader: (3)
I know it's a big chunk of change, but the Speartech harness is really worth it.
I would also be careful in bolting the motor mounts down till you have the engine in there and sorted out. I have the problem where the engine is slightly angled which caused some issues with the ds and trans lining up.
I believe Firebirds have an electronic pick up on the trans earlier than Camaro, so it's easier to play with gauges than on Camaros.
__________________
2/20/2013: They Day the ****s Stopped
BigAls87Z28 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2014, 07:47 PM   #20
firebirdat
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 65
iTrader: (0)
Quote:
Originally Posted by ar0ck View Post
What did you end up using to coat the underside? Progress looks great!
I did it in two steps actually. i scuffed up underneath with a red scotchbite pad and wire wheeled any rusty looking spots,then used chassis saver(basically like POR-15, just a single application rather then a three step process), let that dry overnight and used Medallion Rubberized Undercoating. could get you more info on it if you wanted.

Quote:
Originally Posted by TAdan View Post
Nice looking 84, the body really reflects the low mileage. Glad to hear you'll be keeping the stock look.

Good job on the engine compartment and undercarriage. Cool project, I look forward to watching your progress.
Ehh pictures tend to hide alot. Its definitely in pretty decent shape for the most part, being garage kept for 18 years definitely has its perks, but its definitely not a virgin car, drivers door was reskinned years ago and driver fender painted at the same time, that door has some bubbling going on that will probably get re-skinned or junkyard door possibly, and the passenger quarter was repainted as well. but like i said overall its definitely a good looking car not show quality but in good shape. As for the stock look its going to stay that way with maybe bigger wheels and just maybe a little lower, gotta keep it tasteful

Quote:
Originally Posted by greenformula92 View Post
Looking good man
Thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28 View Post
I know it's a big chunk of change, but the Speartech harness is really worth it.
I would also be careful in bolting the motor mounts down till you have the engine in there and sorted out. I have the problem where the engine is slightly angled which caused some issues with the ds and trans lining up.
I believe Firebirds have an electronic pick up on the trans earlier than Camaro, so it's easier to play with gauges than on Camaros.
I have noticed the engine is slightly angled little worried about that but like you said nothing is bolted down permanently until i get my hands on an overpriced T56, almost as if the engine is tilted in the cross member, took a bit of a struggle to get the passenger side bolt through, might be cause theres no transmission on there but i shall see eventually. What type of issues did you run into with yours that i should be on the look out for? gotta find your thread on here if its still around. As for the gauges i believe i am SOL, if i recall that magical goodness started in 87 correct me if im wrong, not 100% on that i recall reading it somewhere
__________________
1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 5sp
firebirdat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2014, 05:30 PM   #21
BigAls87Z28
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: West Long Branch
Posts: 13,598
iTrader: (3)
Quote:
I have noticed the engine is slightly angled little worried about that but like you said nothing is bolted down permanently until i get my hands on an overpriced T56, almost as if the engine is tilted in the cross member, took a bit of a struggle to get the passenger side bolt through, might be cause theres no transmission on there but i shall see eventually. What type of issues did you run into with yours that i should be on the look out for? gotta find your thread on here if its still around. As for the gauges i believe i am SOL, if i recall that magical goodness started in 87 correct me if im wrong, not 100% on that i recall reading it somewhere

You are going with a T56, so I don't know of anything down that road, but the issues I have are gauges and exhaust.
1: You have two ways to go about doing the gauges. One is to get a box that converts the electrical signal from the output to mechanical so you can connect it to the back of the tach. The other is to go to a digital tach. How you do that is entirely up to you. Maybe see if you can buy a dash from a later TA so you can use the electric tach. I picked up an Auto Meter one that looks similar to the factory Camaro face.
2: I'm not familiar with your headers, but if they are long tube units, you might run into y-pipe issues. I've seen some crazy ram's horn-esque designs for y-pipes.

Also: Fuel system. I'm not sure of the LM7, but LS1s don't have a return line and since the pressure is regulated differently from cars to trucks, you might have to go with an in-line AFPR or do what I did and put in a C5 Corvette fuel filter that self-regulates and does not have a fuel return line.
If using the factory fuel tank, upgrade the pump. If you decide to go to an 4th gen unit, there are several modifications you have to make to get it all to work. I went with the factory tank and upgraded the pump.
__________________
2/20/2013: They Day the ****s Stopped

Last edited by BigAls87Z28; 06-05-2014 at 05:33 PM.
BigAls87Z28 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2014, 06:59 PM   #22
sweetbmxrider
Meet Coordinator
 
sweetbmxrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,339
iTrader: (12)
Your corvette fuel filter has a return line. You put them on backwards first go around.
__________________
sweetbmxrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2014, 09:37 PM   #23
firebirdat
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 65
iTrader: (0)
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28 View Post
You are going with a T56, so I don't know of anything down that road, but the issues I have are gauges and exhaust.
1: You have two ways to go about doing the gauges. One is to get a box that converts the electrical signal from the output to mechanical so you can connect it to the back of the tach. The other is to go to a digital tach. How you do that is entirely up to you. Maybe see if you can buy a dash from a later TA so you can use the electric tach. I picked up an Auto Meter one that looks similar to the factory Camaro face.
2: I'm not familiar with your headers, but if they are long tube units, you might run into y-pipe issues. I've seen some crazy ram's horn-esque designs for y-pipes.

Also: Fuel system. I'm not sure of the LM7, but LS1s don't have a return line and since the pressure is regulated differently from cars to trucks, you might have to go with an in-line AFPR or do what I did and put in a C5 Corvette fuel filter that self-regulates and does not have a fuel return line.
If using the factory fuel tank, upgrade the pump. If you decide to go to an 4th gen unit, there are several modifications you have to make to get it all to work. I went with the factory tank and upgraded the pump.
From my understanding and research the headers are the same as the stainless works units just not as expensive and not as great quality; but ill find out in the long run with them i guess. The y-pipe is going to be ball-buster, Ive looked on thirdgen.org and everyone has done it differently so I'm not sure which way that's going to go.

As for the intake i would like to get my hand on an LS6 intake but it all depends on price and availability otherwise its going to be a ye olde LS1 intake. And as for the fuel tank, upgrading it to a 1985-1992 sending unit(as long as there's no other unforeseen complications from it) and i think i am going to invest in the racetronix unit. What pump did you end up using? I already have the C5 filter so no AFPR unit for me i believe

Tachometer is another debacle, i would love to keep the factory one but that box is a 300 dollar piece, whereas a tach would probably be less.
__________________
1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 5sp
firebirdat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2014, 07:17 AM   #24
BigAls87Z28
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: West Long Branch
Posts: 13,598
iTrader: (3)
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider View Post
Your corvette fuel filter has a return line. You put them on backwards first go around.
Sorry, let me clear that up. The engine doesn't have a return.

Quote:
Originally Posted by firebirdat View Post
From my understanding and research the headers are the same as the stainless works units just not as expensive and not as great quality; but ill find out in the long run with them i guess. The y-pipe is going to be ball-buster, Ive looked on thirdgen.org and everyone has done it differently so I'm not sure which way that's going to go.

As for the intake i would like to get my hand on an LS6 intake but it all depends on price and availability otherwise its going to be a ye olde LS1 intake. And as for the fuel tank, upgrading it to a 1985-1992 sending unit(as long as there's no other unforeseen complications from it) and i think i am going to invest in the racetronix unit. What pump did you end up using? I already have the C5 filter so no AFPR unit for me i believe

Tachometer is another debacle, i would love to keep the factory one but that box is a 300 dollar piece, whereas a tach would probably be less.
LS6 intakes are pretty easy to come across as they were pretty much standard issue on LS1s after 01 IIRC. The issue is getting the lower plate that has the PCV tube.

Sounds like you are on your way. Good luck with it!
__________________
2/20/2013: They Day the ****s Stopped
BigAls87Z28 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2014, 10:46 PM   #25
greenformula92
 
greenformula92's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Brick, NJ
Posts: 1,868
iTrader: (1)
Any updates on this one?
__________________
Formerly known as blk95formula
86t/a_ram_air on TGO

2018 Silverado 1500
greenformula92 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

  NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds > Camaros, Firebirds and the People that own them > Member's Projects

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

» Sponsor List














All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:29 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.